Mid-Term Results of Using the Seal Thoracic Stent Graft in Cases of Aortopathy: A Single-Institution Experience

BACKGROUND: The endovascular approach to aortic disease treatment has been increasingly utilized in the past 2 decades. This study aimed to determine the long-term results of using the Seal thoracic stent graft. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of patients who underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair or a hybrid procedure using the Seal thoracic stent graft (S&G Biotech, Seongnam, Korea) from January 2008 to July 2018 at a single institution. We investigated in-hospital mortality and the incidence of postoperative complications. We also investigated the mid-term survival rate and incidence of aorta-related complications. RESULTS: Among 72 patients with stent grafts, 15 patients underwent the hybrid procedure and 21 underwent emergency surgery. The mean follow-up period was 37.86±30.73 months (range, 0–124 months). Five patients (6.9%) died within 30 days. Two patients developed cerebrovascular accidents. Spinal cord injury occurred in 2 patients. Postoperative renal failure, postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support, and pneumonia were reported in 3, 1, and 6 patients, respectively. Stent-related aortic complications were observed in 5 patients (6.8%). The 1- and 5-year survival and freedom from stent-induced aortic event rates were 81.5% and 58.7%, and 97.0% and 89.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The use of the Seal thoracic stent graft yielded good mid-term results. Further studies are needed to examine the long-term outcomes of this device.