Early Outcome of Endovascular Treatment of Acute Traumatic Aortic Injuries: The Talent Thoracic Retrospective Registry

Long-term Outcomes of Endovascular Repair for Blunt Thoracic Aortic Injury: A 10 Year Multi-center Experience

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the long-term outcomes in patients treated by thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for blunt thoracic aortic injuries (BTAI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 2010 to December 2019, this retrospective observational study was conducted at 3 centers, involving 62 consecutive BTAI patients who underwent TEVAR. Computed tomography angiography scans were planned to be conducted at 6 months post-procedure, and annually thereafter.

RESULTS

Technical success was achieved in all 62 procedures (100%), which included cases of dissection (n=35, 56.45%), pseudoaneurysm (n=20, 32.26%), and rupture (n=7, 11.29%). Mean injury severity score was 31.66±8.30. A total of 21 supra-arch branches were revascularized by chimney technique, with 12 cases involving the left subclavian artery (LSA) and 9 cases involving the left common carotid artery. In addition, 11 LSAs were covered during the procedure. The in-hospital mortality rate was 1.61% (n=1). The mean follow-up time was 86.82±30.58 months. The all-cause follow-up mortality rate was 3.28% (n=2). Stenosis or occlusion of 3 supra-arch branches (4.92%) was identified at follow-up, with 2 cases (3.28%) requiring re-intervention. No spinal cord ischemia, endoleak, or migration was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite only including patients with long-term follow-up, this study confirms the long-term safety and effectiveness of TEVAR for BTAI. For young BTAI patients, as the thoracic aorta increases with age, longer follow-up is needed to observe the potential mismatch between the endograft and the aorta.

CLINICAL IMPACT

This study confirms the long-term safety and effectiveness of endovascular treatment for blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI). For young BTAI patients, as the thoracic aorta increases with age, longer follow-up is needed to observe the potential mismatch between the endograft and the aorta. Through a remarkably extended follow-up period (86.82±30.58 months) conducted at multiple centers in China, this study confirms the long-term safety and effectiveness of endovascular treatment for BTAI.

A Systematic Review on Thoracic Endovascular Repair Outcomes in Blunt Thoracic Aortic Injuries

PURPOSE

Blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) represents a potentially life-threatening condition and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is recommended as the first-line treatment (Class I level of evidence C) by the current guidelines. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the perioperative and mid-term follow-up outcomes of patients with BTAI treated with TEVAR.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed the English literature published between 2000 and 2022, via Ovid, using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases, until July 30, 2022. Observational studies and case series, with ≥5 patients, reporting on the perioperative and follow-up outcomes of patients who underwent TEVAR for BTAI were included. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the risk of bias. Primary outcomes were technical success and 30-day mortality, cerebrovascular morbidity. Secondary outcomes were mortality and re-interventions during the mid-term follow-up.

RESULTS

From 5201 articles identified by the literature search, 35 eligible studies were included in this review. All studies had a retrospective study design. In total, 991 patients were included. The mean age was 34.5±16.5 years (range=16-89 years). Technical success was 98.0% (odds ratio [OR], 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.98, 0.99, p<0.001, I2=0%). Mortality at 30 days was 5.0% (OR, 95% CI=0.03, 0.06, p<0.001, I2=5.56%). Spinal cord ischemia occurred in 1.0% (OR, 95% CI=0.01, 0.02, p<0.001, I2=0%) and stroke rate was 2.0% (OR, 95% CI=0.01, 0.02, p<0.001, I2=0%). The available follow-up was estimated at 29 months (range=3-119 months) with mortality rate at 2.0% (OR, 95% CI=0.01, 0.02, p<0.001, I2=0%) and re-intervention rate at 1.0% (OR, 95% CI=0.01, 0.02, p<0.001, I2=10.5%).

CONCLUSION

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair showed high technical success and low early cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality rates. In the mid-term follow-up, the estimated mortality and re-intervention rates were also low. Furthermore, higher quality prospective studies are needed.

CLINICAL IMPACT

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is recommended as the first line treatement in patients with blunt thoracic aortic injuries (BTAI). This systematic review of 35 retrospective studies and 991 patients showed high technical success (98.0%) with an associated 30-day mortality at 5.0% and low spinal cord ischemia (1%) and stroke rates (2.0%). Mid-term mortality and re-intervention rates reassure the effectiveness of TEVAR in BTAI cases.

Impact of thoracic endovascular aortic repair following blunt traumatic thoracic aortic injury on blood pressure

BACKGROUND

Blunt traumatic thoracic aortic injuries (BTAIs) are associated with a high mortality rate. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is the most frequently used surgical strategy in patients with BTAI, as it offers good short- and middle-term results. Previous studies have reported an abnormally high prevalence of hypertension (HT) in these patients. This work aimed to describe the long-term prevalence of HT and provide a comprehensive evaluation of the biomechanical, clinical, and functional factors involved in HT development.

METHODS

Twenty-six patients treated with TEVAR following BTAI with no history of HT at the time of trauma were enrolled. They were matched with 37 healthy volunteers based on age, sex, and body surface area and underwent a comprehensive follow-up study, including cardiovascular magnetic resonance, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and assessment of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV, a measure of aortic stiffness) and flow-mediated vasodilation.

RESULTS

The mean patient age was 43.5 ± 12.9 years, and the majority were male (23 of 26; 88.5%). At a mean of 120.2 ± 69.7 months after intervention, 17 patients (65%) presented with HT, 14 (54%) had abnormal nighttime blood pressure dipping, and 6 (23%) high cfPWV. New-onset HT was related to a more proximal TEVAR landing zone and greater distal oversizing. Abnormal nighttime blood pressure was related to high cfPWV, which in turn was associated with TEVAR length and premature arterial aging.

CONCLUSIONS

HT frequently occurs otherwise healthy subjects undergoing TEVAR implantation after BTAI. TEVAR stiffness and length, the proximal landing zone, and distal oversizing are potentially modifiable surgical characteristics related to abnormal blood pressure.

Mid-term outcomes of endovascular repair for traumatic thoracic aortic injury: a single-center experience

PURPOSE

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for traumatic thoracic aortic injury (TTAI) reports short-term benefits. However, long-term durability and the need of reintervention remain unclear. Here, we determined mid-term outcome of TEVAR for TTAI and investigated the influence of the length of proximal landing zone on aorta.

METHODS

Between October 2009 and February 2018, 69 patients diagnosed TTAI and 42 included patients underwent TEVAR. Patients were divided into two groups by the length of proximal landing zone; ≤ 20 mm and > 20 mm. The primary endpoint was success and survival rate, and the secondary endpoint was the increase of aorta size and the need of reintervention.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 47.9 ± 29.6 months and 100% success rate. No endoleaks or additional reinterventions during the follow-up period. The cumulative survival of all-cause death was 90.5 ± 2.3%, 85.7 ± 4.1% and 61.7 ± 8.4% at 1, 5 and 7 years, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the increase of aorta size due to the length of the proximal landing zone (p = 0.65).

CONCLUSION

In selective TTAI patients for TEVAR, the length of proximal landing zone did not considerably influence the aorta size or needed further reintervention.

Management of Type B Aortic Dissections: Treatment of Acute Dissections and Acute Complications from Chronic Dissections

Aortic dissection is one of the most catastrophic vascular challenges faced by interventionalists, often misdiagnosed and frequently associated with devastating consequences. Stanford type B aortic dissections affects the descending thoracic aorta without any involvement of the ascending aorta. Dissections associated with refractory pain, rapid aneurysm formation, malperfusion syndromes, rupture, or impending rupture are categorized as complicated and distinct from initially uncomplicated type B dissections without the aforementioned complications. Traditionally, uncomplicated type B dissection is managed medically whereas complicated type B dissection requires intervention to limit mortality. Over the last two decades, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has emerged as an alternative to open surgical repair for treatment of complicated type B dissection. Various societal guidelines now unanimously propose TEVAR as the treatment of choice for management of complicated disease based on its relatively low morbidity and mortality compared to open surgical outcomes. As the consensually acknowledged standard of care for management of patients with complicated lesions, TEVAR is currently being considered for select patients with initially uncomplicated dissection to mitigate the risks of mid and late-term disease progression and aortic-related mortality. This article describes the decision-making treatment algorithm for management of type B aortic dissection. It also provides a comprehensive review of the indications and procedural recommendations for performing TEVAR based on current evidence in the literature. Additionally, the article guides the readers through step-by-step practical considerations, from choosing the optimal graft to insuring its ideal deployment in type B dissection, as well as providing advice on how to handle a variety of procedure-related complications.

Endovascular Repair of Blunt Thoracic Aortic Trauma: Is Postimplant Hypertension an Incidental Finding?

BACKGROUND

Blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) is the second most common cause of death in trauma patients. Nowadays, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has become the treatment of choice because of lower rates of mortality, paraplegia, and stroke. However, concerns have been raised whether graft implantation is related to the development of hypertension in the postoperative period. The aim of this study was to report short- and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing TEVAR for BTAIs at a tertiary hospital and to investigate postimplant hypertension.

METHODS

Between January 2005 and January 2016, 23 patients with blunt thoracic aortic trauma underwent TEVAR. Median age was 44 years (range, 18-73). Among them, 14 (60.9%) patients were diagnosed with aortic rupture, whereas 9 (39.1%) with pseudoaneurysm. Α single thoracic stent graft was deployed in 21 patients, and the rest 2 patients received 2 stent grafts.

RESULTS

Complete exclusion of the injury was feasible in all subjects (100% primary success). The left subclavian artery (SCA) was intentionally covered in 6 patients (26%). Intraoperative complications included one nonfatal stroke managed conservatively and one external iliac artery rupture treated with iliofemoral bypass. One patient (4.3%) died on the first postoperative day in the intensive care unit (ICU) because of hemorrhagic shock. The overall 30-day mortality and morbidity were 4.3% and 8.7%, respectively. New-onset postimplantation arterial hypertension was observed in 8 (34.8%) previously nonhypertensive patients. Younger age (P = 0.027) and SCA coverage (P = 0.01) were identified as potential risk factors for the development of postimplant hypertension, whereas the presence of concomitant injuries (P = 0.3) and intraoperative complications (P = 0.1) were not. After a median follow-up of 100 months (range, 18-120), 6 of them still remain on antihypertensive therapy, whereas the other 2 did not require permanent treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

TEVAR is a safe approach in the treatment of BTAI associated with low short- and long-term morbidity and mortality rates. Lower age and SCA coverage may contribute to the development of postimplant hypertension. Further larger cohort studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of postimplant hypertension.

Endovascular treatment of traumatic thoracic aortic lesions: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

To provide an overview of the experience of endovascular treatment for traumatic thoracic aortic lesions (TTAL). Thoracic aortic injury secondary to high-energy chest trauma constitutes an emergency situation with potentially devastating outcome. In the present time, the majority of patients are treated with thoracic endovascular aortic repair. The aim of this study was to provide a systematic overview of endovascular aortic repair in patients with TTAL with special attention to perioperative mortality, paraplegia, stroke, influence of left subclavian artery (LSA) coverage herein, and long-term stent-related complications.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

PubMed and Embase were searched for studies describing endovascular treatment of TTAL in the period between January 1st, 2000 and January 30th, 2016. The methodological quality of articles was assessed using the MINORS score and PRISMA guidelines. Data on early mortality, perioperative complications, and long-term stent-related complications were extracted.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

A total of 2005 reports were screened, and 74 publications were finally included in the analysis describing treatment of 1882 patients. Early mortality rate, paraplegia rate, and stroke rate were 7.5%, 0.4%, and 1.5%, respectively. LSA coverage did not increase the risk of stroke. The severity of injuries had a positive association on early mortality. Late stent related mortality and morbidity were uncommon.

CONCLUSIONS

TTAL can be treated endovascularly with low mortality and (neurological) morbidity. LSA coverage does not increase the risk of neurological complications but is associated with a moderate risk of left arm ischemia. Long-term stent-related complications are rare, but the available data is limited.

Imaging of thoracic trauma

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the commonly encountered findings in all types of thoracic trauma. It is not intended to be a systematic review of the literature, but will discuss and illustrate the differing imaging techniques which are used to diagnose common traumatic injuries in the thorax. Interventional radiology-based therapeutic interventions will be demonstrated.

Have thoracic endografting outcomes improved since US Food and Drug Administration approval?

BACKGROUND

Thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) is gaining acceptance since Food and Drug Administration approval in 2005. We hypothesize that, compared with open repair (OPEN), mortality and complication rate after TEVAR have continued to improve.

METHODS

All patients who underwent thoracic and (or) thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair from 2005 to 2007 in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample were examined. Patients were stratified by TEVAR or OPEN. Demographics, hospital characteristics, and outcomes were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression models for complications and in-hospital mortality were developed.

RESULTS

A weighted total of 7,644 had TEVAR, while 32,948 patients underwent OPEN. The TEVAR utilization increased from 5.5% (2005) to 24.1% (2007). Mortality for all patients undergoing thoracic aneurysm repair decreased yearly (p<0.001). Mortality (TEVAR: 7.3%, OPEN: 9.8%, p<0.001) and complication rate (TEVAR: 24.3%, OPEN: 42.1%, p<0.001) were superior with TEVAR. The unadjusted annual mortality (7%) and complication rate (24%) after TEVAR did not improve each year; however, after risk adjustment, mortality after TEVAR steadily decreased annually. Moreover, risk-adjusted mortality for OPEN has improved since 2005. Multivariate analysis revealed age and ruptured aneurysm were highly predictive of death (p<0.001, respectively), while TEVAR lowered the adjusted odds of death by 18% (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Mortality in patients undergoing repair of thoracic aneurysms has decreased in the United States since Food and Drug Administration approval of stent grafts in 2005. This is due to wider adoption of TEVAR and improved mortality in patients undergoing TEVAR or open repair.

The anesthetic management of cardiovascular trauma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Although little new has been specifically written in recent years regarding the anesthesia management of cardiovascular trauma, two specific areas have seen recent interest and progress, namely the endovascular management of blunt thoracic aortic trauma and commotio cordis, or sudden death following blunt precordial injury.

RECENT FINDINGS

Endovascular repair of thoracic aortic injury has been shown in multiple studies to have short to medium-term mortality and morbidity advantages over repair via thoracotomy. However, long-term (many years) outcome and the expenses required for long-term follow-up of endovascular repairs remain unknown. The risk of commotio cordis during sports activities has become more known to the general population. Recent studies have indicated a very specific limited time during the upstroke of the T-wave to be the critical time for injury, but specific channel involvement is unclear.

SUMMARY

Although transesophageal echocardiography diagnosis of aortic trauma is very sensitive and specific, in general, the lack of immediate availability at all times of skilled echocardiographers and the immediate availability of spiral computed tomography scanners in trauma centers limits the use of transesophageal echocardiography as a first-line diagnostic tool. Endovascular repair of traumatic aortic injury is becoming routine. Commotio cordis is being increasingly recognized as a cause of acute post-traumatic sudden death.