TAArget versus EndoFit thoracic stent-grafts in thoracic endovascular aortic repair: a retrospective comparison of early and mid-term results in a single center.
BACKGROUND
Aim of the study was to compare our early and mid-term results using EndoFit and TAArget thoracic stent-grafts in thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR).


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed 169 consecutive TEVAR cases (69.1±8.9 years) performed using the EndoFit or TAArget thoracic stent-grafts from December 2005 to January 2011 in our single center. Debranching procedures were needed in 111 (65.7%) cases before TEVAR. 87 (51.5%) patients who received EndoFit stent-graft between December 2005 and December 2007 were entered into Group A while the other 82 (48.5%) patients treated from January 2008 to January 2011 using TAArget stent-graft into Group B.


RESULTS
The technical success rate was 100% in both groups. 111 (65.7%) cases had 6 different debranching procedures prior to TEVAR to extend the proximal or distal landing zone. In group A, 5 cases had intraoperative proximal type I endoleak, while no occurrence in group B. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 5.3% (9/169), with statistical difference (Group A: 9.2%, 8/87 versus Group B: 1.2%, 1/82; P=0.049). Neurological complications occurred in 8 (4.7%) patients, all of the cases were in group A (8/87). There were 10 (6.3%) deaths recorded during the average of 29.0 months (range 15-42) follow-up period, all of the patients were in group A (Group A: 12.7%, 10/79 versus Group B: 0%, 0/81; P=0.003), no death was related to the aneurysm or the stent-graft. In Group A, 2 cases had post-TEVAR proximal type I endoleak.


CONCLUSIONS
Better clinical outcomes are highly dependent on accumulated learning curve and improved newer-generation devices and delivery systems. The second generation device TAArget's new featuring uniform external fixation and TTTM Tortuous tracker delivery system allow better external fixation and precise deployment.
Department of Vascular Surgery the First Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China - qulefeng@gmail.com.
Ziheng
Z
Wu
Lefeng
L
Qu
Kangkang
K
Zhi
Hondkun
H
Zhang
Dieter
D
Raithel
D000368:Aged; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000601:surgery*; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome