Hybrid multistep approach to mega-aortic syndrome: the Lupiae technique

• Published in: European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery Vol. 47; no. 1; pp. 126 - 133
• Main Authors: Esposito, Giampiero, Pennesi, Matteo, Bichi, Samuele, Patrini, Davide, Pellegrino, Pasquale, Redaelli, Marianna, Poloni, Camillo, Gerometta, Piersilvio, Gentinetta, Franco, Cappabianca, Giangiuseppe
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01.01.2015
• Subjects: Aged; Aorta, Thoracic - surgery; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic - surgery; Blood Vessel Prosthesis; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation - adverse effects; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation - instrumentation; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation - methods; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation - mortality; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Polyethylene Terephthalates; Retrospective Studies; Stents; Hybrid repair; Aortic debranching; Thoraco-abdominal aneurysms
• ISSN: 1010-7940; 1873-734X
• DOI: 10.1093/ejcts/ezu102

Several techniques have been described for the treatment of thoraco-abdominal aneurysms in patients with mega-aortic syndrome (MAS), but the incidence of stroke, spinal cord injury and endoleaks remains significant. We present the mid-term results of a new hybrid, multistep technique to treat patients with MAS. From November 2005 to November 2012, 118 patients with MAS underwent surgical repair of thoracic and thoraco-abdominal aneurysms with the Lupiae technique. Fifty-five patients presented chronic aneurysms and 63 patients Type A acute dissections. Eighty-three patients underwent ascending aorta and arch replacement with a multibranched Dacron graft and epiaortic vessels rerouting (thoracic Lupiae procedure). Twenty patients had the thoracic Lupiae procedure plus partial visceral debranching (coeliac trunk and superior mesenteric artery [SMA]) through an upper mini-laparotomy. Fifteen patients had the thoracic Lupiae procedure plus a complete visceral debranching (coeliac trunk, SMA and renal arteries) using a second multibranched Dacron graft to replace the infrarenal aorta. All the patients with chronic aneurysms and 34 of 63 patients with Type A dissections underwent implant of endovascular stent grafts. In-hospital mortality was 8.4%. No patients had stroke or spinal cord injury. The incidence of temporary renal failure was 5.2%. No patients presented endoleaks immediately and at follow-up CT scans. No death or reoperation occurred during the follow-up. These results evidence that the Lupiae technique is a safe and effective option for the treatment of patients with MAS, achieving the complete exclusion of thoraco-abdominal aneurysms and of the residual false lumen in patients with acute aortic dissections.