Endovascular management of ascending aortic pathology.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular treatment of the ascending aorta is particularly challenging because of the anatomic features of this aortic segment. Only patients without connective tissue disorders, clinically relevant aortic regurgitation or stenosis, or concomitant coronary artery disease can be considered for an endovascular procedure. We report our results in a series of patients with aneurysms or intramural hematoma, penetrating ulcers, or floating thrombus who were scheduled for stent grafting.

METHODS: Only patients with ascending aortic pathology who were unfit for open surgery were treated with an endograft. When preoperative computed tomography imaging showed severe calcification of the aortic arch or thrombus lining, temporary clamping of the carotid arteries before wire and catheter introduction was performed. An extracorporeal bypass from the right groin to both carotid arteries with a roller pump was established and maintained during the procedure. The endograft was placed across the aortic valve into the left ventricle and deployed in a retrograde fashion. At the end of the procedure, ventriculography and, if necessary, coronary angiography was performed to rule out any damage to the left ventricle or the valve apparatus.

RESULT: Eleven patients were scheduled for stent graft exclusion of ascending aortic pathology. In five cases because of discrepancies in length measurements and sizing, the thoracic endograft was cut to length intraoperatively after partial deployment on the operating table and reloaded to avoid covering of the innominate artery. The mean length of the ascending aorta covered was longer in aneurysm patients than in those with dissection. An 81-year-old patient presented with a type Ia leak. The distal landing zone in one patient was enlarged by debranching. One patient died after wire perforation of the left ventricle, and one patient sustained a cerebral stroke. Combined morbidity and mortality was 18%, and the technical success rate was 91%.

CONCLUSIONS: Stent grafting of the ascending aorta is technically feasible but should be reserved for selected high-risk patients only, preferably in centers where vascular specialists cooperate closely with interventional cardiologists. Cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass is still the gold standard to treat ascending aortic aneurysms. Stent graft exclusion of more advanced and complex ascending aortic pathology should be performed only in centers with the necessary experience in transvalvular cardiac procedures.