Study Suggests a More Proximal Landing Zone is Preferred for Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR) of Acute Type B Aortic Dissections (aTBAD)

Rosemont, Ill., January 24, 2022 – A review evaluating the results of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) following acute type B aortic dissection (aTBAD) suggests most patients with aTBAD have less than 2 cm of proximal healthy descending thoracic aorta. In patients treated for complicated aTBAD, Zone 2 TEVAR (Z2T) is associated with a lower need for aortic reintervention and aortic-related adverse events than Zone 3 TEVAR (Z3T).

Further, patients may benefit from a more aggressive proximal landing zone with similar perioperative morbidity when Z2T is done with left subclavian artery revascularization.

“TEVAR for the treatment of complicated aTBAD has been shown to have favorable outcomes compared to both open aortic repair and medical therapy,” said corresponding author Jean Panneton, MD, of Eastern Virginia Medical School. “However, the optimal approach for this therapy, including timing, coverage length and landing zone remains to be fully elucidated.

“The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare postoperative outcomes and late aortic-related adverse events in patients undergoing TEVAR for complicated aTBAD with proximal endograft deployment in landing zones 2 versus 3.”

As reported in the January 2022 issue of the Journal of Vascular Surgery, Panneton and colleagues performed a retrospective chart review, from a single center, of adult patients who underwent TEVAR for complicated aTBAD within six weeks of diagnosis. The chart review was for patients treated from January 2008 to December 2018. Reviewers excluded patients with prior type A repair and connective tissue disorders. 

Eighty-three patients, with a mean age of 60 ± 12 years and average time to TEVAR of four ± eight days, were evaluated and separated into three study groups based on landing zone:

• Zone 3: 35 
• Zone 2: 48 
  • Subclavian artery covered (C): 10
  • Subclavian revascularized  (R): 38

Imaging evaluation revealed that only 11% of the study population had more than 2 cm of healthy descending aorta to land the TEVAR.

Overall 30-day survival (88%) did not differ between the groups (P=.6):

• Zone 3:   89% 
• Zone 2C: 80% 
• Zone 2R: 90%  

Postoperative spinal cord injury did differ between the groups (P=.012):

• Zone 3:      0% 
• Zone 2C:  20% 
• Zone 2R:  2.6% 

Subsequent retrograde aortic dissection was observed in three patients (4%; one Zone 2 and two Zone 3 patients).

The overall aortic reintervention rate at 36 months after TEVAR differed significantly between the groups (P=0.25):

• Zone 3: 31% 
• Zone 2: 10% 

“The proximity of the primary tear to the origin of the left subclavian artery can make it difficult to achieve a secure 2 cm landing zone of healthy aorta without coverage of one of the aortic arch branch vessels. Notably, 90% of our study patients had a less than 2 cm proximal landing zone,” said Panneton.

“Factors which may contribute to the better outcomes observed for the Zone 2 patients may include a landing zone that is further away from the aortic pathology and is more optimal in terms of seal given it is less curved than in Zone 3.

“Additionally, our low rate of retrograde dissection may be related to avoiding proximal endograft oversizing (>10%) and post deployment balloon molding.”

Many technical details must be considered to achieve excellent outcomes in this difficult patient population, said JVS editors. “Strong consideration for landing the TEVAR in Zone 2, including subclavian artery revascularization, appears important to better long-term outcomes.”

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