Long-Term Outcomes of Endovascular Aortic Repair with Parallel Chimney or Periscope Stent Grafts for Ruptured Complex Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Authors: Kopp Reinhard , Stachowski Lukas , Puippe Gilbert , Zimmermann Alexander , Menges Anna-Leonie 
Published: January 2025

Background: The parallel stent graft endovascular aortic repair (PGEVAR) technique is an off-the-shelf option used for elective complex abdominal aortic aneurysm repair with acceptable outcome results, as reported so far. The PGEVAR technique, using chimney or periscope parallel grafts, can also be used for patients with ruptured complex abdominal aortic aneurysms. However, only few data about the mid- to long-term outcomes are available. Methods: Data from patients treated between August 2009 and July 2023 with the PGEVAR technique for ruptured complex abdominal aortic aneurysms were analyzed. The endpoints of this study were primary and secondary technical success, perioperative mortality, rate of proximal type 1a (gutter) endoleaks (T1aEL), and overall and aneurysm-related survival. Secondary endpoints were major adverse events, durability of parallel grafts, and factors associated with overall survival. Results: Twenty patients (mean age: 77 ± 9 y; 18 male) with ruptured complex abdominal aortic aneurysm were treated, receiving PGEVAR for ruptured juxtarenal (n = 11), suprarenal (n = 7), or distal thoracoabdominal Crawford IV aortic aneurysms (n = 2) with a mean diameter of 82 ± 18 mm (range 59–120). The patients had PGEVAR with implantation of 39 parallel grafts (1.95 PGs per patient; 23 chimney and 16 periscope) for revascularization of the celiac artery (n = 3), superior mesenteric artery (n = 9), and renal arteries (n = 27). Three patients had delayed PG implantation within 10 days. Primary technical success was 15/20 (75%) with five patients having an early proximal T1aEL, three of them having successful reintervention (secondary success rate: 18/20; 90%), with no persistent bleeding. Two patients had late T1aELs. The presence of an early T1aEL was related to the number of PGs (≥2) implanted (p = 0.038) or insufficient aortic SG oversizing (p = 0.038). In-hospital mortality was 1/20 (5%). Perioperative mortality up to 32 days was 3/20 (15%), with two further late aneurysm-related deaths and eight late aneurysm-unrelated deaths (overall mortality 13/20; 65%) during follow-up (median 34 months; range 1–115). Major adverse events were observed in 11 (55%) patients. Secondary parallel stent graft patency at 1 and 3 years was 97.4 and 94.1%. During follow-up, aneurysm sac behavior was determined in 19 patients, which showed diameter progression (n = 3), stable aneurysm disease (n = 3), and aneurysm diameter regression in 13 (68.4%) patients. Overall survival was 75% after 1 year, and 53% and 22% after 3 and 5 years. Factors associated with overall long-term survival were age < 80 years (p = 0.037), juxtarenal aneurysms (p = 0.023), the absence of major adverse events (p = 0.025), and aneurysm sac regression (p = 0.003). Conclusions: Treatment of ruptured complex abdominal aortic aneurysm with the PGEVAR technique is associated with acceptable perioperative and long-term outcomes with high PG patency rates. Early proximal T1aELs are observed with a relevant frequency, requiring early reintervention with successful sealing of most relevant endoleaks. To note, limitation of the number of parallel stent grafts implanted at the proximal aortic sealing sites, sufficient PG sealing length, and adequate main aortic SG oversizing are most relevant to avoid T1a (gutter) ELs. The selection of juxtarenal aortic aneurysms and evidence for aneurysm sac diameter regression after PGEVAR had a prognostic impact.