Abstract
Background: The treatment of thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) and chronic type B aortic dissections (TAAD), is technically challenging. Traditional open surgery repair carries high morbidity and mortality rates, while endovascular repair is limited by anatomical constraints. This study investigates the safety and effectiveness of a hybrid approach in high-risk patients with TAA disease and complex renal and hypogastric anatomy. Methods: This was a retrospective single-center study, including all consecutive patients with TAAA and TAAD with complex renal and/or hypogastric artery anatomy treated with a hybrid approach between 2020 and 2024 in a high-volume aortic center. Primary endpoint was technical success. Secondary endpoints were early complications, overall and aortic-related mortality, aortic-related reintervention, the incidence of endoleaks, and the target vessel (TV) patency and TV instability at 30-day and during follow-up. Results: During the study period, a total of 92 patients with TAAA or TAAD were treated at our institution. Five high-risk patients (5.4%) with complex renal/hypogastric artery anatomy underwent open renal debranching and hypogastric revascularization followed by staged endovascular repair with custom-made double fenestrated/branched device. Technical success was achieved in all cases with no intra-operative mortality. No spinal cord ischemia or 30-day mortality occurred. Target vessel patency at 30 days was 90%. At a median follow-up of 38 months (IQR 26-49 months), there were no cases of aortic-related death. Conclusions: Hybrid repair is a feasible and effective option for managing complex TAAA and TAAD in high-risk patients. Larger studies with longer follow-up are needed to better define the clinical role of this approach.