Routine Stent-Bridging to the Supraaortic Vessels in Aortic Arch Replacement - 10 year-experience.

Abstract Background The SAVSTEB technique (Supra-Aortic Vessel anastomosis STEnt Bridging) simplifies the reattachment of the supraaortic vessels in aortic arch surgery; however, follow-up data are limited. The study aimed to investigate the stent-related performance and complications. Methods Between 02/2009 and 09/2020, 112 patients underwent total arch replacement with a tetrabranched graft and using the SAVSTEB technique. Mean age was 59.3±12.7 years, male gender prevailed. Nineteen percent suffered from acute aortic dissection extending into the supraaortic vessels, 12% showed chronic dissected vessels and 70% showed unaffected vessels. Left subclavian artery, left common carotid artery and innominate artery were bridged in 88%, 75% and 2%, respectively, an aberrant right subclavian artery in 2%. Results Total stent experience was 341 stent-years, stent patency was found in 98%. Technical success was achieved in all but one case. One percent showed major stent thrombosis requiring reintervention. Minor stent thrombosis was found in 2%. No endoleak was found and the number of new onset dissections distally to the stent was 4%. Freedom from stent-related events was estimated 89.1±0.5% at 3 years. Stroke rate was 10% with highest incidence among non-dissected vessels. The vertebral artery was overstented in 15%, 2% were associated radiographically with stroke. Conclusions SAVSTEB is a comparatively simple, safe and efficacious technique to create the anastomosis between tetrabranched arch grafts and the supra-aortic arteries in the short and intermediate term. Bleeding from the anastomoses, kinking and scar associated stenosis are negligible; however, vertebral overstenting remains a critical technical issue.