Abstract
Aim: Hostile aortic neck anatomy-characterized by short neck length, severe angulation, conical shape, and mural thrombus or calcifications-represents a major limitation to the durability and applicability of standard endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). In response to these challenges, newer endografts with improved conformability have been developed. This study aimed to evaluate the mid-term outcomes of EVAR using the GORE EXCLUDER Conformable AAA Endoprosthesis (CEXC) (W.L. Gore & Associates Inc., Flagstaff, AZ, USA) in patients with hostile neck anatomy, with specific attention to type III endoleak occurrence, aortic sac remodeling, and maintenance of distal sealing. Methods: A retrospective observational analysis was conducted on 50 consecutive patients treated with the CEXC endograft between October 2019 and September 2023. Patients included had either elective or urgent indications for EVAR and were evaluated preoperatively using CT angiography. Hostile neck criteria were defined according to the 2019 Delphi Consensus. Procedural variables, imaging follow-up, and clinical outcomes were collected. The primary endpoints were technical and clinical success, while secondary outcomes included endoleak rates, aneurysm sac evolution, and reintervention-free survival. Results: Technical success was achieved in 100% of cases, with a clinical success rate of 98%. No type Ia, Ib, or III endoleaks were observed at a median follow-up of 23 months. Sac shrinkage (>5 mm reduction) occurred in 70% of patients, and distal sealing was preserved in 100% of cases. One perioperative death occurred in an emergency setting, and no late reinterventions or aneurysm-related mortalities were reported. The use of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and floppy guidewires contributed to precise deployment and sealing in angulated anatomies. Conclusions: The CEXC endograft proved to be a safe and effective option for EVAR in patients with hostile aortic anatomy, ensuring durable proximal and distal sealing, promoting favorable sac remodeling, and preventing type III endoleaks. These findings support the use of CEXC in anatomically complex settings, as long as procedures are meticulously planned and guided by appropriate intraoperative imaging and deployment techniques.