New endovascular techniques for false lumen thrombosis in aortic dissection after thoracic endovascular aortic repair

INTRODUCTION

In 2008, the IRAD group endorsed thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) as the gold standard for the treatment of complicated acute type B aortic dissection (TBAD)^[1]. Subsequently, several studies clearly confirmed the superiority of TEVAR to surgical or medical therapy in the treatment of this life-threatening circumstance^[2,3]. Moreover, during the last decade, the INSTEAD-XL^[4] and ABSORB^[5] trials demonstrated how TEVAR can play an emergent role in the management of uncomplicated acute TBAD in selected patients with high-risk features, even if many aspects remain to be clarified. Less encouraging results emerged regarding TEVAR for chronic post-dissection thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms, with complete thrombosis of false lumen (FL) in only 30% of cases^[6] and a reintervention rate of 60%^[7]. In all these situations, the goal of TEVAR is to cover the intimal tears promoting thrombosis of the FL. However, about 20% of patients undergoing TEVAR of aortic dissection require reintervention because of incomplete FL thrombosis promoting aortic wall degeneration, post-dissection aortic aneurysm, and rupture^[8]. Incomplete thrombosis of the FL can affect the long-term survival of these patients, increasing late mortality^[9-11]. Over the past decades, endovascular strategies to promote FL thrombosis after TEVAR showed good early results with minimal invasiveness, offering different alternatives according to the anatomy and the level of urgency. The most important endovascular techniques described include FL embolization (with coils, vascular plugs, etc.), candy-plug techniques, branched and fenestrated aortic endoprosthesis, and parallel stent graft technique. Each of these solutions has advantages and disadvantages. In this focused paper, we provide a brief description of endovascular options available to induce false lumen thrombosis after TEVAR in TBAD together with a commentary based on our experience.

FL EMBOLIZATION

Currently, there are no devices specifically designed for FL embolization. In 2018, Yuan et al. described the FLIRT (false lumen intervention to promote remodeling and thrombosis) concept in aortic dissection, using a combination of patent foramen ovale or atrial septal defect occluders, glue, and coils^[12]. In 4/5 cases of persistent flow in FL in patients with TBAD previously treated with TEVAR, complete thrombosis was obtained with the FLIRT concept. Miletic et al. recently described the use of a combination of different devices in FL embolization, including iliac plugs, coils, and nitinol plugs in 51 patients, with a favorable aortic remodeling (FL thrombosis with ≥ 10% decrease in diameter and ≥ 10% increase in true lumen diameter) achieved in 39.2% of cases^[13]. Moreover, a complete obliteration of the entire FL was obtained in six patients, with only nine patients requiring a second procedure for incomplete thrombosis of FL and aortic diameter increase. In all these and other studies, FL embolization proved to be feasible and safe. Technically, the most important aspect of the intervention is a meticulous study of the pre-procedural CT scan, in order to plan how to “earn” the FL and choose the right devices, based on the anatomy of the dissection [Figure 1]. Moreover, to choose the size, type, and number of all devices available for the embolization of the false lumen, fundamental is the measurement of the diameter of the false lumen above the celiac trunk and its longitudinal extension and the angiographic check during the procedure to ensure the effectiveness of the embolization. Usually, during this procedure, we gain the false lumen using first a 0.035 floppy guide wire with a diagnostic peripheral catheter (e.g., cobra, vertebral, multipurpose, or Simmons, depending on the anatomy of the dissection). Then, once in the false lumen, it can be useful to place an introducer sheath to give more stability to the system as well as the possibility to use a diagnostic catheter or a microcatheter for the deployment of coils and embolic liquid, or directly the introducer sheath for the deployment of other devices such as vascular plugs. If suitable, a combination of all devices should be considered to stop the backflow in the false lumen.

Figure 1. Multiplanar reconstruction of CT scan showing retrograde perfusion of the false lumen with a large post-dissection thoracic aneurysm and haemothorax (A); identification of intimal tear to earn the false lumen (B) (arrow) and correct measurement of the false lumen diameter (C) are mandatory to plan the procedure; and intraprocedural angiography (D) and CT scan control at discharge (E) showing complete exclusion and thrombosis of the false lumen with the use of two vascular plugs.

The prompt availability of the devices and their low costs make the embolization of the false lumen advantageous, especially in the management of selected urgent and emergency cases.

CANDY-PLUG TECHNIQUE

In 2013, Kölbel et al. first described the candy-plug technique for FL occlusion, using a combination of Zenith TX2® endovascular graft (Cook Medical, Bjæverskov, Denmark) and nitinol vascular plugs^[14]. Since then, different approaches have been used to reproduce the candy-plug technique, using the second generation of candy-plugs (without the necessity to complete the procedure with a vascular plug) or different homemade candy-plug devices^[15,16]. Eleshra et al. recently described the use of the second-generation candy-plug in the treatment of 14 chronic aortic dissection, with a favorable aortic remodeling achieved in eight patients and only two patients requiring reintervention^[17]. The rationale of this technique is the placement of the candy-plug into the false lumen, parallel to the stent graft present in the true lumen, immediately above the celiac trunk. For the FL embolization, a careful evaluation of the preoperative CT scan is essential to understand the feasibility of the intervention (available access to the false lumen and its sufficient extension above the celiac trunk) and the correct oversizing of the candy-plug. For this purpose, the measurement of the length of the dissection and the largest diameter of the FL above the celiac trunk is mandatory [Figure 2]. Since these are custom-made devices, obviously this technique is preferred in non-urgent conditions and if the anatomy allows it. In particular, we believe that the maximum diameter of the false lumen above the celiac trunk must not exceed 36-38 mm and in this tract, the aorta must not be tortuous. Oversizing of 15%-25% of the false lumen diameter above the celiac trunk should be sufficient to obtain a good sealing of the device^[18], reducing the risk of injuries to the aortic wall.

Figure 2. Multiplanar reconstruction of CT scan showing the measurement of the length and the largest diameter of the false lumen (A, B) in a patient operated with the placement of a candy-plug in the false lumen above the celiac trunk (C, D).

BRANCHED AND FENESTRATED AORTIC ENDOPROSTHESIS

Branched and fenestrated stent grafts (BEVAR and FEVAR techniques) have increasingly become safe and effective options for the treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) and in selected cases with specific anatomical conditions are considered the first-line treatment option^[19]. Unfortunately, their use to promote thrombosis of the false lumen in TBAD previously treated with TEVAR has severe anatomical limitations, primarily because the stiff and thickened intimal flap can limit the success of this strategy^[20]. Furthermore, the true lumen may be very narrow, and the visceral vessels can arise from the FL or true lumen, making BEVAR/FEVAR technically very demanding^[21] [Figure 3]. Moreover, BEVAR and FEVAR, compared to the other described endovascular techniques, have a higher risk of complications, such as injuries or ischemia of the parenchyma due to the manipulation of the visceral vessels and the patency of the visceral stent grafts. Technically, fundamental is the right choice of the main graft and the bridging stent, based on the anatomy of the aorta and visceral vessels, such as their diameter, extension, peripheral ramifications, and relationship to the true and false lumens. In the planning of this type of procedure, it may be useful, based on our experience, to consider the design of hybrid solutions (BEVAR and FEVAR) or the use of inner branch and retro branch [Figure 4], to reduce the encumbrance within an often small true lumen. Moreover, the use of preloaded guided wires could reduce the difficulty of the operation. In the case of using branched solutions, it is preferable to use self-expanding visceral stents, with greater conformability; in the case of FEVAR, the use of balloon expandable stents should be preferred to reduce the risk of type IIIc endoleak.

Figure 3. CT volume rendering reconstruction of post-dissection thoraco-abdominal aneurysm with a very narrow true lumen and visceral arteries all originated from the true lumen (A, B); patient was treated with BEVAR and positioning of coils in the false lumen in the diaphragmatic tract (arrow) (C); and false lumen was thrombosed in the thoracic and suprarenal abdominal aorta, and a small type II endoleak was detected in the subrenal aorta (arrow) (D).

Figure 4. Schematic rappresentation of a branched endoprosthetis designed with retrobranch for renal arteries (Innerbranch B and Innerbranch C) and anterograde inner branch for mesenteric superior artery (Innerbranch A). The diameter of the proximal extremity (40 mm), the middle tract (2 mm), and the distal extremity (28 mm) of the endoprosthesis are indicated. Moreover, the distance between the proximal neck and Innerbranch A is shown (100 mm), as well as the distance between Innerbranch A and Innerbranch B (37 mm), between Innerbranch A and Innerbranch C (39 mm), and between Innerbranch C and the distal neck of the device (70 mm). The radiopaque marker along the main body of the endoprosthesis and the inner branch are also indicated to ensure the correct orientation of the device during the deployment.

Despite these limitations, through the continuous development of this emergent technique, in the future, BEVAR/FEVAR will increasingly be used for the treatment of post-dissection thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.

PARALLEL STENT GRAFT TECHNIQUE

The parallel stent graft technique (snorkel/chimney) [Figure 5] represents a valid off-the-shelf alternative in the treatment of complex abdominal and thoracic aortic pathologies^[22,23]. Liu et al. recently described a series of 21 patients with chronic post-dissection thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms treated with this technique^[24]. Technical success was achieved in 17/21 (four intraoperative type I endoleaks spontaneously resolved within one month), complete thrombosis of the FL was obtained in 19/21 with a patency rate of the visceral stent graft at 18 months of 100% for the arteries anterogradely revascularized and 91.2% for the retrogradely revascularized. The advantages of this technique reside in the ready availability of all the necessary “armamentarium”, with the possibility of treating emergency situations with different and multiple solutions according to the anatomy of the aorta and visceral vessels. The disadvantages are the demanding procedure, in particular in the choice of the correct oversizing of the aortic stent graft as well as of the type of visceral stent graft (balloon versus self-expandable and exact length and diameter) and, as for BEVAR/FEVAR solutions, the narrowness and stiffness of the true lumen. If the true lumen is too narrow to receive more than two stent grafts, an anterograde approach is recommended (preferably the left brachial or axillary artery) for the reconstruction of the mesenteric superior artery and celiac trunk, as well as a retrograde access for the renal arteries. Intentional coverage of celiac trunk and small accessories renal arteries (< 5 mm) should be considered, especially in emergency cases. Moreover, a self-expanding bare metal stent can be added to reduce the risk of compression or kinking of the parallel stent graft. However, long-term outcomes (especially patency of visceral branches) and large sample size studies are needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this technique in the treatment of post-dissection thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.

Figure 5. Drawing illustrating the parallel stent graft technique to stop retrograde flow in the thoracic false lumen from residual intimal tears in the suprarenal and subrenal aorta (black arrows). Three stent grafts are positioned from the origin of the left subclavian artery to the aortic bifurcation. The visceral stent of the celiac trunk and the superior mesenteric artery are positioned between the first and second aortic stent grafts; instead, the stents of renal arteries are located between the second and third aortic stent grafts. All visceral are incannulated and stented with the anterograde approach from the top.

COMMENTARY AND CONCLUSION

Incomplete thrombosis of the FL with persistent backflow from distal re-entry tears is one of the major limitations of TEVAR in TBAD^[25] and is independently associated with poor long-term survival. Over the last few years, different techniques such as STABILIZE and Knickerbocker^[26,27] have been developed to prevent this fearful complication already from the first treatment, especially in the acute phase when, due to the elasticity and minor thickness of the intimal flap, it is possible to destroy it, in order to create a single lumen and stop backflow in the FL. In this article, we do not voluntarily describe these techniques, because, in our opinion, they are most effective if applied in the acute/subacute phase, in relation to the greater elasticity of the intimal flap, as already reported. We therefore focus this review on the endovascular techniques currently used to induce direct thrombosis of the FL lumen in aortic dissections previously treated with TEVAR. In our experience, the factors that most affect the choice of one specific technique are the degree of emergency and the anatomy of the dissection (extent and size of the true and false lumen and origin of the visceral vessels). According to our practice, in emergency conditions and when anatomy allows it, direct embolization techniques with plug and coil or still other off-the-shelf solutions (e.g., the parallel stent graft technique or homemade candy-plug) are preferred, considering their ready availability as well as costs. In non-emergency conditions, customized solutions such as candy-plug and BEVAR/FEVAR could represent a valid “ad hoc” solution for each patient, along with the possibility of using a combination of the above-mentioned techniques. In conclusion, endovascular strategies to promote FL thrombosis after TEVAR in aortic dissection showed good early results with minimal invasiveness, offering different alternative depending on the anatomy and the level of urgency. In any case, in consideration of the complexity of the problem, each of these strategies should be used with caution and more long-term studies and prospective and randomized clinical trials are needed to provide solid evidence on this topic.