Hybrid versus conventional open repair for aortic arch dissection

Kavanagh EP, Sultan S, Jordan F, Elhelali A, Devane D, Veerasingam D, HynesN. Hybrid repair versus conventional open repair of aortic arch dissection. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2021, No. 7. Art. No.: CD012920. doi: 10.1002 /14651858.CD012920.pub2. Accessed July 27, 2021.

Commentary

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a hybrid technique of treatment versus conventional open repair in the management of aortic arch dissection.

The main results identified one ongoing study and two unpublished studies that met the selection criteria for the review; however, due to lack of study data, the results of the hybrid repair could not be compared to conventional open repair of aortic arch dissection.

The authors conclude that

This review has identified one ongoing RCT and two unpublished RCTs evaluating hybrid versus conventional open repair of aortic arch surgery.

Observational data suggest that hybrid repair of aortic arch dissection may be potentially advantageous, but no conclusions about definitive advantages over conventional open surgical repair can be drawn from this review without a published RCT or CCT.

Future RCTs or CCTs will need to evaluate clinically relevant outcomes with adequate sample size and follow-up to determine the optimal treatment for people with aortic arch dissection.

It is important to note that this may not be feasible for the reasons stated above.