Open aortic surgical repair for left hemi-arch stent-graft failure

A surgical technique of endovascular graft explant through an open aortic approach for left hemi-arch stent-graft failure is described. Between January and April 2003, we surgically treated 3 patients previously submitted for stent grafts for isthmic aortic diseases. Two patients had atherosclerotic aneurysm and 1 had a false lumen reperfusion of subacute intramural hematoma. At 6 to 8 months computed tomographic scan follow-ups on all patients showed a rapid enlargement of aortic diameters due to type I endoleaks. The presence of an uncovered proximal stent in the parasubclavian aorta did not allow a simple aortic cross clamping; therefore we performed an open aortic procedure through a left posterolateral thoracotomy, using femoro-femoral bypass and mild hypothermic circulatory arrest. Selective antegrade cerebral perfusion was started within 3 to 5 minutes from aortotomy and graft removal. Left hemi-arch and descending thoracic aortic replacement was then performed with continuous cerebral perfusion. No surgical mortality was observed. Postoperative course was uneventful for neurologic, cardiac, respiratory, and renal complications. The 3-month follow-ups were event free. This approach, associated with rapid stent-graft explant and selective cerebral antegrade perfusion, appears to be a safe and effective surgical strategy for treating this new aortic pathology.