Experience with a novel custom-made fenestrated stent graft in the repair of juxtarenal and type IV thoracoabdominal aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: Fenestrated stent grafting has become increasingly popular as a means to manage complex aortic pathology, including juxta- and pararenal aneurysms. The design of a recently developed custom-made fenestrated stent graft, in theory, confers advantages when managing anatomically challenging aortic morphology. This study evaluated its feasibility in anatomically challenging scenarios.

METHODS: Over a 12-month period, 20 patients received fenestrated stent grafts. Among those, 13 patients with juxtarenal or type IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms underwent endovascular repair with the novel fenestrated stent graft at a single UK institution. Data on aneurysm morphology and immediate and short-term results were collected prospectively.

RESULTS: The mean aneurysmal sac size was 7.3 cm (range, 5.5-10.0 cm). The mean infrarenal neck length was 4.4 mm (range, 0-9 mm), and in three cases was lined by a pre-existing infrarenal stent graft. Nine cases had an infrarenal neck angulation of 60(°) or more in either the anteroposterior or coronal planes. Five cases had ≥50% thrombus at the proximal landing zone. A total of 35 target vessels were cannulated, of which six right renal and four left renal arteries were angulated ≥120(°). Two-thirds of cannulated celiac trunks were angulated ≥120(°), and one cannulated superior mesenteric artery was angulated ≥ 140(°). Seven of the cannulated targets were stenosed more than 60%. One patient had two right renal arteries arising 3 mm from each other. Four right and four left common iliac arteries were angulated ≥90(°) in relation to the infrarenal aorta. Technical success was 100%. Median time from date of procedure to most recent follow-up with computed tomography scanning was 33 weeks. There was no type I or III endoleak. One type II endoleak was observed at the time of most recent computed tomography scanning and treated expectantly. There was a single incident of left renal artery occlusion. One patient required repair of a brachial artery, fasciotomies, and temporary haemofiltration. One patient died from ischemic heart disease 77 weeks after the procedure.

CONCLUSIONS: The use of the novel fenestrated stent graft system in patients with hostile aortic aneurysmal morphology is feasible with acceptable short-term outcomes.