title: Branch graft patency after open repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.
abstract: The long-term function of branch grafts to the visceral and renal arteries during open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair is unknown. We assessed the patency of single and multiple branch grafts with postoperative imaging studies in patients followed for up to 13 years.
  
  
  
  A total of 99 of 130 patients undergoing open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair who received a total of 298 branch grafts to the celiac, superior mesenteric, and renal arteries were evaluated with serial imaging studies at 6- to 12-month intervals. The mean duration of angiographic follow-up was 40.4 months and extended to 159 months. Thirty-three patients receiving 74 grafts were followed for more than 5 years, and 7 patents receiving 22 grafts were followed for more than 10 years. Eighty-four grafts were grafted to the celiac artery, 73 grafts were grafted to the superior mesenteric artery, 71 grafts were grafted to the left renal artery, and 70 grafts were grafted to the right renal artery.
  
  
  
  Nine graft occlusions occurred in 6 patients. One of these patients died of intestinal ischemia after occlusion of the celiac and superior mesenteric artery grafts, and 1 patient developed occlusion of both renal artery grafts and remains on dialysis. Five graft occlusions in the other 4 patients were asymptomatic, and no interventions were required. One additional patient developed significant stenosis of the celiac, superior mesenteric, and right renal arteries and underwent successful percutaneous angioplasty. No other patient required intervention. Freedom from occlusion of the 298 grafts at 1, 5, and 10 years is 98%, 97%, and 93%, respectively.
  
  
  
  This represents the largest series of patients with branch grafts for open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair with extended angiographic follow-up. The favorable long-term graft patency rates represent a benchmark against which methods for establishing flow to the visceral and renal arteries using alternative techniques can be compared.
authors: Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Missouri Baptist Medical Center, BJC HealthCare, St Louis, Mo. Electronic address: ntkouch@aol.com.
authors: Nicholas T
authors: NT
authors: Kouchoukos
authors: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Lynn Heart and Vascular Institute, Boca Raton Regional Hospital and Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Fla.
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Kulik
authors: Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Missouri Baptist Medical Center, BJC HealthCare, St Louis, Mo.
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Castner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: branch grafts; open repair; thoracoabdominal aorta