Minimally Invasive Endograft Offers Superior Results

Newswise — Traditionally thoracic aortic aneurysm disease has been treated with surgery requiring a large chest incision and placement of a synthetic graft to repair the artery. However, a new study indicates that use of the minimally invasive W.L. GORE TAG® Thoracic Endoprosthesis to treat descending thoracic aneurysms appears to be superior to open surgical repair in anatomically suitable patients.

Investigator Ellen D. Dillavou, MD, from the division of vascular surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, said this is the first study to look at the long-term (five-year) outcomes of the two procedures. "Our researchers studied outcomes of the TAG endograft after its implantation in 140 patients compared to 94 patients who had similar aneurysms repaired by open surgery, between September 1999 and May 2001, as well as 51 more patients who were added in 2003 after revision of the endograft." The long-term follow-up of the multi-center device trial which took place at centers throughout the United States, is detailed in the May 2008 issue of the Journal of Vascular Surgery. Follow-up consisted of patient visits, computed tomography scans and X-rays at one and six months, then annually for five years. "Initially and at five years, TAG patients had better results," said Dr. Dillavou. "At five years aneurysm-related mortality was 2.8 percent compared to 11.7 percent in open surgery patients, and major adverse events were 57.9 percent vs. 78.7 percent. Endoleaks in TAG patients decreased from 8.1 percent at one month to 4.3 percent at five years."

There were no aneurysm ruptures reported in either group over the study period and no deaths due to aneurysm-related causes after one year in either group. At five years, secondary procedures in the TAG group were lower (15.0 percent vs. 31.9 percent) and many were managed with a minimally invasive approach. Only five TAG patients underwent major aneurysm-related re-interventions (3.6 percent), including one arch aneurysm repair, one open aneurysm repair and three patients with minimally invasive procedures for endoleaks.

Dr. Dillavou added that at five years, aneurysm sac size decreased in 50 percent of the patients and increased in 19 percent of them, compared to the one-month baseline. Comparison with the modified low-porosity device at two years showed sac increase in 12.9 percent of original vs. 2.9 percent in modified grafts. "Although sac enlargement is concerning, early modified device results indicate this issue may be resolved," said Dr. Dillavou.

"Prior to this report it was not known if minimally invasive repairs would be as durable as traditional open repairs," said Dr. Dillavou. "This study demonstrates that in suitable patients, endovascular repair of thoracic aneurysms has clear and lasting advantages over open aneurysm repair and that the TAG endograft is durable to five years of follow-up. This work confirms that the early advantages of minimally invasive endovascular thoracic aneurysm repair extend to five years of follow-up. TAG patients had fewer deaths and complications from their aneurysms, making this the safest approach for suitable patients."

About Journal of Vascular SurgeryJournal of Vascular Surgery provides vascular, cardiothoracic and general surgeons with the most recent information in vascular surgery. Original, peer-reviewed articles cover clinical and experimental studies, noninvasive diagnostic techniques, processes and vascular substitutes, microvascular surgical techniques, angiography and endovascular management. Special issues publish papers presented at the annual meeting of the Journal's sponsoring society, the Society for Vascular Surgery. Visit the Journal web site at http://www.jvascsurg.org/.

About the Society for Vascular SurgeryThe Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) is a not-for-profit society that seeks to advance excellence and innovation in vascular health through education, advocacy, research and public awareness. SVS is the national advocate for 2,400 vascular surgeons dedicated to the prevention and cure of vascular disease. Visit the website at http://www.VascularWeb.org.