Techniques and outcomes of percutaneous aortic anastomosis leak closure after frozen elephant trunk procedure for aortic dissection

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to provide a summary of applied percutaneous aortic anastomosis leak (AAL) closure techniques after frozen elephant trunk (FET) procedure for aortic dissection and describe the procedural and mid-term outcomes in a consecutive cohort of patients at our center. METHODS: All patients who underwent percutaneous closure of AAL after FET between January 2018 and December 2020 were identified. Three different strategies were employed: (I) the retrograde technique; (II) the true-to-false lumen loop technique; and (III) the antegrade technique. Procedural and short-term results were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 34 AAL closure procedures were performed in 32 patients. The mean age was 44.3±9.1 years, and 87.5% of patients were male. Successful device deployments were achieved in 36 leaks (100%). Immediate residual leaks were mild and moderate in 37.5% and 9.4% of patients, respectively. After a mean follow-up of 47.1±24.6 months, reduction in AAL to mild or less was accomplished in 90.6% of patients. Complete thrombosis and basically complete thrombosis of the FET’s segment false lumen were achieved in 75.0% and 15.6% of patients, respectively. The maximal diameter of FET’s segment false lumen significantly decreased by 13.6±8.7 mm (from 33.0±9.4 to 19.4±16.2 mm, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous closure of AAL after FET procedure was associated with false lumen reduction of aortic dissection. The magnitude of benefit was greatest with AAL reduction to a grade of mild or less. Therefore, attempts should be made to reduce AAL as much as possible.