Purpose: To describe a hybrid technique involving combined antegrade revascularization of both supra-aortic and visceral arteries and complete exclusion of a dissecting thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA).
Technique: A 46-year-old man had a dissecting TAAA involving the left subclavian artery (LSA) and the descending thoracic and abdominal aorta down to the left common iliac artery. The ascending aorta was the only feasible source of inflow to the cerebral and visceral vessels. Via a median thoracolaparotomy, the supra-aortic and visceral arteries were dissected, and an octopus graft was implanted using 3 bifurcated Dacron grafts. An 18-x9-mm bifurcated Dacron graft was anastomosed in an end-to-side fashion to the ascending aorta, the brachiocephalic trunk, and the left common carotid artery. A 16-x8-mm bifurcated Dacron graft was sutured end-to-side to the celiac artery and superior mesenteric artery. A third 12-x7-mm bifurcated graft was sutured to both renal arteries. In a second step, 3 tapered custom-made thoracic Zenith TX2 endografts were used to repair the thoracic and the thoracoabdominal aorta. A bifurcated Zenith AAA device was used to treat the aneurysm at the level of the infrarenal aorta and both iliac arteries. Despite covering the LSA and all intercostal and lumbar arteries, the patient developed only a temporary paresis of the left leg. Computed tomography showed complete exclusion of the aneurysm and normal flow to the supra-aortic and visceral arteries.
Conclusion: In selected cases, this hybrid approach using the ascending aorta for antegrade revascularization of cerebral and visceral arteries is feasible, with acceptable perioperative morbidity. However, its role for the treatment of complex thoracoabdominal aortic disease must be evaluated further.