Objective
Spinal cord ischemia(SCI) is a potentially devastating complication of thoracic endovascular aortic repair(TEVAR) that can result in varying degrees of short-term and permanent disability. This study was undertaken to describe the clinical outcomes, long-term functional impact, and influence on survival of SCI after TEVAR.
Methods
A retrospective review of all TEVAR patients at the University of Florida from 2000–2011 was performed to identify individuals experiencing SCI as defined by any new lower extremity neurologic deficit not attributable to another cause. SCI was dichotomized into immediate or delayed onset, with immediate onset defined as SCI noted upon awakening from anesthesia, and delayed characterized as a period of normal function followed by development of neurologic injury. Ambulatory status was determined using database query, chart review and phone interviews with patients and/or family. Mortality was estimated using life-tables.
Results
607 TEVARs were performed for various indications, with 57 patients(9.4%) noted to have postoperative SCI(4.3% permanent). SCI patients were more likely to be older (63.9±15.6 vs. 70.5±11.2;p=.002) and have a number of comorbidities including: COPD, hypertension, dyslipidemia and cerebrovascular disease(P<.0001). Fifty-four patients(95%) had a CSF drain placed at some point in their care, with the majority placed postoperatively(54%). In-hospital mortality was 8.8% for the entire cohort(SCI vs. No SCI;P=.45). Twelve patients developed immediate SCI, 40 had delayed onset, and 5 were indeterminate due to indiscriminate timing from postoperative sedation. Three(25%) immediate SCI patients had measurable functional improvement (FI), while 28(70%) of the delayed-onset patients experienced some degree of neurologic recovery(P=.04).
Of the 34 patients with complete data available, 26(76%) reported quantifiable FI, while only 13(38%) experienced return to preoperative baseline. Estimated mean survival(±standard error) for patients with and without SCI was 37.2±4.5 and 71.6±3.9 months(P<.0006), respectively. Patients with FI had a mean survival of 53.9±5.9 months compared to 9.6±3.6 months for those without improvement(P<.0001). Survival and return of neurologic function were not significantly different when comparing patients with pre- and postoperative CSF drains.
Conclusions
The minority of patients experience complete return to baseline function after suffering SCI with TEVAR, and outcomes in patients without early functional recovery are particularly dismal. Patients experiencing delayed SCI are more likely to have FI and may anticipate similar life-expectancy with neurologic recovery compared to patients without SCI. Timing of drain placement does not appear to have an impact on post-discharge FI or long-term mortality.