Current role and future directions of hybrid repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms

Abstract

Hybrid procedures were introduced as a less invasive alternative to open conventional repair, avoiding thoracotomy, single-lung ventilation, and in many patients, aortic cross-clamping. Despite these potential advantages over open repair, results of hybrid repair have varied in the literature, with several reports indicating high morbidity and mortality rates. It is likely that once fenestrated and branched endografts receive approval from the Food and Drug Administration for clinical use, indications for hybrid repair of complex aortic aneurysms will further diminish. This article summarizes the current state of the art on patient selection, techniques, and results of hybrid procedures for the treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.