Thoracic Aortic Stent-Graft Devices: Problems, Failure Modes, and Applicability

Optimal treatment strategies for pathologies of the descending thoracic aorta are still controversial. Open surgery is complex, while endovascular devices allow nonsurgical access to the thoracic aorta. Endografts can be inserted via a peripheral artery while maintaining aortic blood flow without any need for clamping. Both short- and mid-term outcomes after endografting thoracic aneurysm and type B aortic dissection are encouraging, with significantly lower morbidity and early mortality compared with open surgery. However, despite emerging popularity and growing interest as an alternative to surgery, endograft design and manufacturing have not kept pace with growing clinical ambition. Major challenges associated with endovascular procedures using the current generation of endografts range from the relative rigidity and size of the delivery system to the failure of thoracic endografts to conform snugly to the anatomy of the aortic arch. Nonconformity of grafts may lead to graft instability, endoleak, and procedural failure. Current delivery systems are potentially traumatizing and, at times, too inflexible to track through tortuous, calcified vessels, and often require surgical exposure of the access vessel. Although efforts have been made by the industry to improve conformability and fixation in the aortic arch, given the spiraling movement of the thoracic aorta with each ventricular contraction, much work needs to be done on miniaturization and creation of disease-specific devices. The aim of this work is to give an overview on thoracic aortic stent-graft devices with focus on problems, failure modes and potential improvements.