Clinical Outcomes and Quality of Life Following TEVAR with or without Revascularization of the Left Subclavian Artery

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes and quality of life of patients with or without the left subclavian artery (LSA) revascularization in patients with thoracic aortic diseases undergoing endovascular repair of the ishimaru zone 2. Methods: A total of 48 patients with the closure of the LSA after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) were enrolled in the study between 2014 and 2018, of whom 21 had undergone the LSA (revascularization group), and the remaining 27 cases (non-revascularization group). The study was planned as a single-center retrospective design. Data were retrieved from the patients’ files. Short form-36 scales were administered to assess quality of life. Results: There was no difference between the two groups with and without LSA revascularization in 30-day paraplegia (4.8% vs. 0.0%, p=0.449), 4-year cerebrovascular events (0.0% vs. 3.8%, p=0.998), upper extremity ischemia (9.6% vs. 0.0%, p=0.207), death (28.6% vs. 25.9%, p=0.887), rate of endoleak (23.8% vs. 29.6%, p=0.896), and length of intensive care unit stay (2.3±2.1 days vs. 2.1±1.8 days, p=0.645). Regarding the quality of life, only physical functioning was improved slightly more in the group that underwent LSA without revascularization (90.7±26.7 vs. 82.3±14.9, p=0.032). Conclusion: The current study showed no significant differences with respect to neurological outcomes, upper extremity ischemia, quality of life, and mortality among patients undergoing TEVAR with or without revascularization of the LSA.