title: Aneurysm hybrid treatment by simultaneous replacement of ascending aorta and aortic arch and endoluminal stenting of the descending aorta.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Resection of the descending thoracic aorta and replacement with a vascular prosthesis is associated with an increased risk of paraplegia, as opposed to endoluminal stenting. We report on the first case in which a thoracic aortic aneurysm was treated in a hybrid approach, combining surgery with the implantation of a new intraluminal stent during 1 procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 76-year-old man with long-standing hypertension suffered from acute chest pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a complex aortic aneurysm with increased diameters of the ascending aorta (55 mm), the aortic arch (75 mm), and the descending aorta (50 mm). Supracoronary replacement of the ascending aorta with a 30-mm prosthesis was carried out during cardiopulmonary bypass, cardioplegic arrest, and hypothermia (25 degrees C). Surgery and stenting were carried out during circulatory arrest and antegrade cerebral perfusion. Two stents (length: 23 cm and 17 cm) were placed in the descending aorta via the opened aortic arch under X-ray control, covering the left subclavian artery. Then aortic arch replacement was finished by anastomosing the distal end of the aortic prosthesis to the proximal stent's customized proximal end (Polyester cuff, length 25 mm/diameter 36 mm) together with the aortic wall. The brachiocephalic trunk and left carotid artery along with a vein graft to the left subclavian artery were implanted in the prosthesis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Postoperative course was uneventful except for a pericardial effusion. MRI revealed normal dimensions of the thoracic aorta with complete exclusion of the aneurysm and no leakage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Simultaneous replacement of ascending aorta and aortic arch with antegrade endoluminal stenting of the descending aorta using a new type of stent were safely and effectively performed in a patient with an aortic aneurysm.
authors.affiliation: Albertinen Heart Center, Süntelstr. 11a, D-22457 Hamburg, Germany. friedrich-christian.riess@albertinen.de
authors.forename: Friedrich-Christian
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Riess
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Krankenberg
authors.forename: Thilo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tübler
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Danne
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D015607:Stents