Fenestrated Physician-Modified Endovascular Grafts for Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery and/or Kommerell’s diverticulum

Abstract

Objective:

The aim of this case series is to report feasibility, efficiency, and safety of fenestrated physician-modified endografts (PMEGs) in aortic arch pathologies with aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) and/or Kommerell’s diverticulum (KD).

Methods:

All consecutive patients with ARSA and/or KD who underwent hybrid aortic arch repair combined with homemade fenestrated stent-graft from 2018 to 2022 were reviewed.

Results:

Six patients with ARSA and/or KD underwent hybrid surgery for aortic repair, 4 of whom were men, with a mean age of 49 years. Furthermore, 2 of them were symptomatic with dysphagia, 1 was taken in emergency, 1 had a bovine arch and a KD, and 2 had right descending thoracic aortas. The mean operation time was 138 (111–216) minutes. In addition, 83% of the homemade grafts were double fenestrated. All the proximal landings were in zone 0; the mean proximal aortic diameter was 29 (23–34) mm. The range of diameters for the endografts were 24 to 38 mm. There was a 100% technical success, with 0% 30 days mortality, no stroke, and no endoleak. During the follow-up, no aortic-related death or secondary intervention was required and all supra-aortic vessels remain patent.

Conclusion:

Hybrid aortic arch repair, with fenestrated PMEGs for ARSA and/or KD, is associated with acceptable early and midterm major morbidity and mortality.

Clinical Impact

This retrospective case series analyzed outcomes in 6 patients with an aberrant right subclavian artery and/or Kommerell’s diverticulum treated with fenestrated PMEGs during an average 16 month follow-up. The case series suggests that the use of these fenestrated PMEGs for the management of patients with an aberrant right subclavian artery is a safe, effective and durable method in the medium-term.