Combined approach to stent-graft treatment of an aortic arch aneurysm.

Abstract

Purpose: To report the first use of dual brachiocephalic vessel transposition from the aortic arch prior to endovascular exclusion of an arch aneurysm.

Methods and results: Patch graft repair of a saccular aortic arch aneurysm in a 74-year-old woman failed to exclude the lesion, resulting in aneurysm enlargement. Because the patient was debilitated, a combined open and endovascular procedure was performed in which the common carotid and subclavian arteries were transposed prior to successful insertion of a Vanguard aortic stent-graft to exclude the aneurysm. Imaging 1 and 6 months after the combined procedure demonstrated complete thrombosis of the aneurysm.

Conclusions: Transposition from the aortic arch of one or more brachiocephalic vessels may allow stent-graft exclusion of aortic arch aneurysms. However, the durability of thoracic aortic endografts must be ascertained before the indications for their use are expanded.