Systematic review with pooled data analysis reveals the need for a standardized reporting protocol including the visceral vessels during fenestrated endovascular aortic repair (FEVAR)

Objectives To collect and analyse the available evidence in the outcomes of patients treated with fenestrated endovascular aortic repair (f-EVAR) technique focusing specifically on visceral vessel outcomes. Methods The current meta-analysis was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. All the studies reporting the f-EVAR technique for the management of degenerative pararenal and/or type IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA) were considered eligible for inclusion in the study. The main study outcomes (technical success, type I endoleaks, fracture or occlusion of the bridging stents, overall aneurysm-related mortality, and the reintervention rate) were subsequently expressed as proportions and 95% confidence intervals. Results Fourteen studies with a total of 1804 patients were included in a pooled analysis. The technical success of the procedure was 95.97% (95%CI = 92.35–98.60). Intraoperatively, the pooled proportion of reported type I endoleak was 7.6% (95%CI = 2.52–14.60) while during a median follow-up of 41 months (range 11–96) follow-up period the pooled rate of fracture and occlusion of the bridging stents was 2.79% (95%CI = 0.00–8.52) and 4.46% (95%CI = 1.93–7.77), respectively. The overall aneurysm-related mortality was detected to be 0.63% (95%CI = 0.04–1.63), and the pooled estimate for re-intervention rate was 15.69%. Conclusions Fenestrated endovascular repair for p-AAA is an effective and safe treatment. Target vessel complications and endoleaks remain the two most important concerns for fenestrated endovascular procedures, contributing to most of the secondary interventions. The lack of computed tomography angiography follow-up evaluation does not allow us to draw robust conclusions about the complication rates for the superior mesenteric artery during f-EVAR. Due to the potential implications of SMA complications on aneurysm-related mortality, standardized reporting of short- and long-term target visceral vessel outcomes is required.