Update on Trials & Devices for Endovascular Management of the Ascending Aorta and Arch

Abstract

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) may treat a variety of acute and chronic aortic diseases as described in several articles in this issue of TVIR. A major challenge to endovascular treatment in the thoracic aorta is disease involving or in close proximity to the aortic valve, coronary arteries, or aortic arch branch vessels. Disease involving the ascending aorta in particular has significant limitations based on its distance from the aortic root. The left subclavian artery (LSA) can be covered in the emergent setting to ensure an adequate landing zone, but patients may require later surgical revascularization, and any coverage of the carotid arteries would require definite pre-endograft revascularization. Open surgical repair continues to have high morbidity and mortality rates in the acute setting, and endovascular therapy is preferred if feasible. Ad hoc modifications of current endografts to maintain arch vessel patency include placement of chimney/snorkel stents or custom fenestrations. However, there is a need for commercially available "off-the-shelf" ascending arch stent-grafts and branched stent-grafts that allow for complete endovascular repair of the aortic arch. This review will focus on devices under investigation for the treatment of pathologies involving the ascending aorta and aortic arch.