Endograft stenting in the adolescent population for traumatic aortic injuries

Endovascular Repair Blunt Thoracic Aortic Injury in Adolescent: A Case Series

BACKGROUND

Blunt traumatic aortic injury (BTAI) is a rare occurrence in adolescents, yet it is associated with a high mortality rate necessitating immediate treatment. Although endovascular repair has become the preferred treatment for such injuries in adults, its effectiveness in adolescents remains uncertain.

CASE SUMMARY

Blunt traumatic aortic injury typically presents with concomitant injuries to other organs and carries a high perioperative mortality rate with operative repair (OR). In this report, we describe the treatment of 3 clinical cases of BTAI in adolescents using thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). These cases contribute pertinent evidence supporting the efficacy of intravascular repair for BTAI.

CONCLUSION

Operative repair (OR) remains the gold standard for treating BTAI in adolescents. Nevertheless, TEVAR therapy presents a viable alternative for patients with multiple injuries in whom anticoagulation is contraindicated. Further long-term observation is necessary to assess the lasting effects of TEVAR therapy.

CLINICAL IMPACT

This study has provided insights into endovascular repair for adolescent BTAT, offering clinicians significant reference material for choosing treatment strategies for adolescent BTAT. The study aims to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of endovascular repair treatments in a series of clinical cases involving adolescent BTAI.

Endovascular treatment of a traumatic thoracic pseudo-aneurysm in a pediatric patient: a case report with review of literature

Blunt aortic injury (BAI) as a result of thoracic trauma is a rare entity in the adult and pediatric population. The endovascular approach has been the preferred method of management over operative repair in adults. However, data on pediatrics is limited to case reports and case series with no long-term follow-up. There are no current guidelines for management in the pediatric population. We are reporting a successful repair of a traumatic thoracic aortic aneurysm in a 13 year old boy with covered stents, with a review of relevant literature.

Endovascular Reconstruction Aortic Bifurcation for Aortic Pseudoaneurysm in a Pediatric Trauma Patient

Endovascular treatment options for vascular injury in pediatric patients are quite limited owing to concerns regarding long-term durability and the lack of devices suitable for the pediatric anatomy. However, in rare circumstances, open surgical therapy will not be an option, and patients will require unconventional endovascular solutions for lifesaving or limb-saving therapies. In the present report, we describe an endovascular treatment of a pediatric patient for whom initial surgical management of a blunt abdominal aortic injury had failed, with subsequent development of an aortic pseudoaneurysm. A 10-year-old girl had presented after a high-speed motor vehicle accident with a seatbelt sign. Multiple abdominal injuries were identified, including blunt aortic injury, significant devitalization of the small bowel, colonic perforation with fecal contamination, multiple lumbar spine fractures, and pulmonary contusions. The patient developed bilateral lower extremity ischemia from the aortic injury and had initially undergone open repair. One month later, the patient had developed a pseudoaneurysm of the aorta near the aortic bifurcation. Because of the hostile abdomen and ensuing short gut syndrome, the pseudoaneurysm was managed using endovascular techniques. The limb of an Excluder internal iliac branch endoprosthesis (W.L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ) was used as the endograft. The aortic bifurcation was raised and reconstructed using four Viabahn self-expanding stents (W.L. Gore & Associates). The completion angiogram showed complete resolution of the pseudoaneurysm. The follow-up computed tomography angiogram showed widely patent stent grafts with complete resolution of the pseudoaneurysm. Endovascular management of traumatic vascular injuries in pediatric patients is feasible. The likelihood of reintervention in the future is high with patient growth. However, it is a viable option in lifesaving or limb-saving situations in which open repair is high risk.

Traumatic Thoracic Aortic Injury in a Three-Year-Old Patient: A Case Report

Management of a traumatic ruptured aorta in the pediatric population is quite challenging. Options vary, with each having its own morbidity, and include open repair, endovascular stent grafts, and/or anti-impulse therapy. Although endovascular stenting is an emerging management modality in traumatic aortic injury in adults, open repair is still the gold standard in the pediatric population. In this case, we reported the survival of a three-year-old boy who underwent successful surgical repair with a Dacron graft and anastomosis after an acute traumatic thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm with mediastinal hematoma.

Pediatric trauma and the role of the interventional radiologist

PURPOSE

While interventional radiologists occupy a critical role in adult trauma management, the role of interventionalist in pediatric trauma continues to evolve. The indications for transarterial embolization (TAE) are significantly different in pediatric patients in whom non-operative management (NOM) has a much more prominent role than in adults. Contrast extravasation on imaging may not require acute surgical or interventional management as it would in an adult. There are also areas in which pediatric interventional radiology is increasingly useful such as pelvic TAE in failed management, or splenic embolization to treat bleeding without the loss of splenic function inherent to surgical splenectomy. The rapid evolution of techniques and devices in pediatric patients is also changing what interventions are possible in pediatric trauma management which necessitates frequent reassessment of the guidelines and interventional radiology's role in caring for these patients.

CONCLUSION

This review seeks to consolidate the recent literature to describe the evolving role of the interventional radiologist in pediatric trauma management.

Management of Seat Belt-type Blunt Abdominal Aortic Trauma and Associated Injuries in Pediatric Patients

BACKGROUND

"Seat belt-type" pediatric abdominal aortic trauma is uncommon but potentially lethal. During high speed motor vehicle collisions (MVCs), seat or lap belt restraints may concentrate forces in a band-like pattern across the abdomen, resulting in the triad of hollow viscus perforation, spine fracture, and aortoiliac injury. We report 4 cases of pediatric seat belt-type aortic trauma and review management strategies for the aortic disruption and the associated constellation of injuries.

METHODS

-approved, retrospective review of all pediatric patients requiring surgical intervention for seat belt-type constellation of abdominal aortic/iliac and associated injuries over a 5-year period. Blunt thoracic aortic injuries were excluded.

RESULTS

We identified 4 patients, ranging from 2 to 17 years of age, who required surgical correction of seat belt-type aortoiliac trauma and associated injuries: 3 abdominal aortas and 1 left common iliac artery. The majority (3/4 patients) were hemodynamically unstable at emergency room presentation, and all underwent computed tomography angiography of the chest/abdomen/pelvis during initial resuscitation. Injuries of the suprarenal and proximal infrarenal aorta were accompanied by unilateral renal artery avulsion requiring nephrectomy. Presumed or proven spinal instability mandated supine positioning and midline laparotomy, with medial visceral rotation utilized for proximal injuries. Aortoiliac injuries requiring repair were accompanied by significant distal intraluminal prolapse of dissected intima, with varying degrees of obstruction. Conduit selection was dictated by the presence of enteric contamination and the rapid availability of an autologous conduit. The sole neurologic deficit was irreparable at presentation.

CONCLUSIONS

Seat belt aortoiliac injuries in pediatric patients require prompt multidisciplinary evaluation. Evidence of contained aortoiliac transection, major branch vessel avulsion, and bowel perforation mandates immediate exploration, which generally precedes spinal interventions. Lesser degrees of aortoiliac injuries have been managed with surveillance, but long-term follow-up is needed to fully validate this approach.

Endovascular management of penetrating and non-penetrating aortic injury

Aortic trauma is a devastating injury often associated with significant polytrauma. Penetrating injury of the aorta is highly lethal and therefore rarely encountered in the hospital setting. The management of blunt trauma of the aorta has changed significantly over the past decade, principally due to improved imaging technology and the development of endovascular therapy. The most common site of injury is the proximal descending thoracic aorta. The degree of aortic wall injury guides the indication for therapy, while a combination of the degree of injury and the extent of co-morbid injuries drives the timing of repair. Lower grade injuries frequently do not require any surgical intervention. Thoracic aortic endograft repair can be performed in a safe, expeditious fashion. Short-term and mid-term outcomes appear excellent, with patient survival based mainly on concomitant traumatic injuries. Long-term outcomes are less well known. Future endeavors will be guided toward gaining a better understanding of the indications for repair and the long-term outcomes for endograft devices designed for this purpose.

The spectrum and management of noniatrogenic vascular trauma in the pediatric population

BACKGROUND

To describe the spectrum of noniatrogenic pediatric vascular injuries and their outcomes at a large tertiary pediatric hospital.

METHODS

Retrospective review of a prospectively-maintained trauma database, identifying children with noniatrogenic vascular injuries managed between 1994 and 2014.

RESULTS

A total of 198 patients were identified. Those patients with a digital or intracerebral vascular injury (92/198) were excluded from further analysis. The remaining 106 patients represented 1.2% of all traumas managed at our institution during the 21-year study period. The majority were male (75%), and between 1 and 12years of age (71% of all patients). Median time from trauma scene to any hospital was 48min (range 0-132), and most patients were transferred from another hospital (64%). Three patients were declared dead upon arrival (3%). Penetrating injuries accounted for most injuries (72%), while blunt injuries accounted for the remainder. Ulnar, radial, or brachial artery trauma accounted for 47% of injuries. Most vessels were treated operatively, by primary repair (49%), vessel ligation (15%), or interposition graft (12%). Fourteen patients (13%) were managed nonoperatively and most patients (74%) experienced no complications in hospital or during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Noniatrogenic pediatric vascular injuries are rare and represent a highly heterogeneous population. Most children recover well, with minimal perioperative complications.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV (case series with no comparison group).

The use of angiography in pediatric blunt abdominal trauma patients

BACKGROUND

Angiography is a common treatment used in adults with blunt abdominal trauma and/or severe pelvic fractures. The Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons has recently advocated for this resource to be urgently available at pediatric trauma centers; however, its usefulness in the pediatric setting is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of angiography in the treatment of blunt abdominal trauma among injured children.

METHODS

An analysis was performed using an established public use data set of children (younger than 18 years) treated at 20 participating trauma centers for blunt torso trauma through the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network. Patients who underwent angiography of the abdomen or pelvis were identified and analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 12,044 children evaluated for blunt abdominal trauma included within the data set, 973 sustained abdominopelvic injuries. Of these, only 26 (3%) underwent angiography. The median age was 14 years, 65% were males, with a mortality rate of 19%. Overall, 29 angiographic procedures were performed: 21 abdominal, 8 pelvic, with 3 patients undergoing both abdominal and pelvic. Eleven patients underwent embolization of a bleeding vessel, all of which were related to the spleen. No hepatic, renal, or pelvic vessels required embolization. The median time to angiography from emergency department evaluation was 7.3 hours. In addition to angiography, 50% also required surgical intervention, of which 31% underwent a laparotomy. Thirty-five percent of these patients required blood product transfusion, and 42% were admitted to the intensive care unit.

CONCLUSION

The emergent use of angiography with embolization is uncommon in pediatric patients with blunt abdominal injuries. The requirement that pediatric trauma centers have access to interventional radiology within 30 minutes may be unnecessary.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Epidemiologic study, level III; therapeutic study, level IV.

Endovascular Treatment of a Traumatic Thoracic Aortic Injury in an Eight-Year Old Patient: Case Report and Review of Literature

Traumatic aortic injuries in children and adolescents are rare. Although endovascular repair has become the preferred approach for such injuries in adults, open repair has endured as the gold standard in children owing mainly to the smaller aortic and access vessel diameter and the scarcity of long-term follow-up data. We report a successful endovascular repair of a traumatic thoracic aortic injury in an 8-year-old girl using a Zenith Alpha thoracic endograft (Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN). We also review the literature on endovascular treatment of traumatic aortic injuries in the pediatric population.

The complex management of a traumatic brain injury and aortic injury after a motor vehicle crash: a case report

Blunt aortic injuries are extremely rare in the pediatric population. This case report examines a pediatric patient involved in a motor vehicle crash that resulted in aortic dissection combined with traumatic brain injury. The clinical management of this patient was particularly challenging because of the conflicting needs of optimal management for the head and aortic injuries. Despite the patient's low predicted probability of survival based on Injury Severity Score, the patient had an exceptional outcome.

Outcomes of blunt thoracic aortic injury in adolescents

BACKGROUND

Blunt traumatic aortic injury (BTAI) is of very rare occurrence in adolescents. The purpose of our study was to assess the clinical presentation and treatment outcomes of BTAI in this subset of patients.

METHODS

We reviewed prospective data of 18 patients who were 20 years or younger with BTAI among 28,000 trauma patients from January 1993 to December 2011. Outcomes of interest were the trends on the type of repair (nonoperative [NOP], open repair [OR], or endovascular treatment [ET]) and the impact of concomitant injuries using the Injury Severity Score (ISS) on early morbidity and mortality.

RESULTS

Thirteen (72%) patients with BTAI were male with a cohort median age of 16 ± 3 years. The mechanism of trauma was car accident in 12 patients, pedestrian struck by car in 5, and motorcycle crash in 1. The total ISS was 46.2 ± 15.3 being the highest score of the thoracic component (4.6 ± 0.6) followed by the head score (4 ± 1.2). Two (11%) patients were pronounced dead in the emergency department and other 2 succumbed within 24 hr from admission. Of those 14 (78%) patients who survived longer than 24 hr, the ISS was significantly lower compared with those pronounced dead earlier (37.8 ± 10.7 vs. 59.6 ± 11.6; P = 0.0009). Ten patients (71%) underwent OR, 3 (17%) ET, and other 2 (28%) patients were treated nonoperatively. The ISS was similar among all 3 treatment groups (OR: 33 ± 8 vs. ET: 53 ± 9 vs. NOP: 51 ± 6; P = nonsignificant). No paraplegia or renal failure was noted in either ET or OR group. In-hospital and overall mortality were 21% and 39%. Of those who survived hospitalization, 8 (73%) patients were discharged home and 3 (27%) to a rehabilitation center.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of BTAI is very low in adolescents. Mortality rate is considerable even in young patients and it is associated with high ISS and degree of aortic wall disruption. Young patients with BTAI who survive hospitalization have a lower ISS and are often discharged home rather than to a rehabilitation facility.

Endovascular management of lap belt-related abdominal aortic injury in a 9-year-old child

Blunt abdominal aortic trauma is a rare occurrence in children with only a few patients having been reported in the literature. Most such cases have been described in the context of lap belt injuries. We report a 9-year-old boy who suffered lap belt trauma to the abdomen during a high-speed road traffic accident resulting to the well-recognized pattern of blunt abdominal injury, that is, the triad of intestinal perforation, fractures of the lumbar spine, and abdominal aortic injury. The latter presented with lower limb ischemia due to dissection of the infrarenal aorta and right common iliac artery. Revascularization was achieved by endovascular means using 2 self-expanding stents in the infrarenal aorta and the right common iliac artery. This case is one of the few reports of lap belt-related acute traumatic abdominal aortic dissection in a young child and highlights the feasibility of endovascular management in the pediatric population.

A ductus remnant confounding the diagnosis of blunt thoracic aortic injury in a 13-year-old adolescent boy

Anatomical variants can pose diagnostic dilemmas for the clinician and may confound critical decision making for traumatic thoracic aortic injuries. With significant morbidity and mortality for both the injury and the therapeutic options in the pediatric population, an accurate diagnosis is essential for a good outcome. Knowledge of both the anatomical variant as well as the potential injury is required for a precise diagnosis. Highlighting these concepts, we present the case of a 13-year-old trauma patient with a possible blunt thoracic aortic injury. A suspected intimal aortic tear on computed tomography angiography proved to be a ductus remnant, which did not require intervention.

Successful emergency endovascular treatment of juxtarenal and infrarental mycotic aortic aneurysms in patients with small diameter aortae using Cook(®) Zenith ESLE Stentgrafts

BACKGROUND

Endovascular repair of mycotic aneurysm is an alternative to open repair if the patho-anatomy is suitable. The aortic size above and below the mycotic aneurysm may be small.

METHODS

A retrospective review was made of prospectively collected departmental computerised database.

RESULTS

Three oriental patients with juxta- and infra-renal mycotic aortic aneurysms with a small aortic diameter of 17 mm to 18 mm underwent successful emergency endovascular treatment using Cook(®) Zenith ESLE stentgrafts. These are ancillary devices aimed at iliac extensions usually.

CONCLUSION

This is to our knowledge the first case series of Cook(®) Zenith ESLE iliac component endografts for the treatment of aortic mycotic aneurysms with small aortae, and short- and mid-term results are encouraging.

Bedside placement of an aortic occlusion balloon to control a ruptured aorto-esophageal fistula in a small child

A child had a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube removed by transecting it at skin level. The internal portion ("the bolster") was allowed to pass in the GI tract. She subsequently had odynophagia. Magnetic resonance imaging identified a foreign body within the lower thoracic esophagus. During esophagoscopy, the bolster was removed. The following morning, she had massive hematemesis with cardiovascular collapse. As an emergent maneuver, an intra-aortic balloon was percutaneously deployed at the bedside without fluoroscopic guidance. This temporized the exsanguination. Subsequent intraoperative aortography confirmed an aortoesophageal fistula. A stent-graft was deployed with immediate hemodynamic stabilization. She later underwent esophageal resection and recovered well.

Endovascular stenting of blunt thoracic aortic injury in an 11-year-old

Blunt traumatic thoracic aortic injury in children is very rare. Open surgical repair is the definitive treatment. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for trauma has been performed in adults with good outcomes. Its use has been adopted in pediatric population, and its role is evolving. We report a successful TEVAR in a critically injured 11-year-old boy. To our knowledge, this is the youngest patient to be successfully treated with TEVAR.

Endovascular approach to acute aortic trauma

Traumatic thoracic aortic injury remains a major cause of death following motor vehicle accidents. Endovascular approaches have begun to supersede open repair, offering the hope of reduced morbidity and mortality. The available endovascular technology is associated with specific anatomic considerations and complications. This paper will review the current status of endovascular management of traumatic thoracic aortic injuries.

Outcomes of truncal vascular injuries in children

BACKGROUND

Pediatric truncal vascular injuries occur infrequently and have a reported mortality rate of 30% to 50%. This report examines the demographics, mechanisms of injury, associated trauma, and outcome of patients presenting for the past 10 years at a single institution with truncal vascular injuries.

METHODS

A retrospective review (1997-2006) of a pediatric trauma registry at a single institution was undertaken.

RESULTS

Seventy-five truncal vascular injuries occurred in 57 patients (age, 12 +/- 3 years); the injury mechanisms were penetrating in 37%. Concomitant injuries occurred with 76%, 62%, and 43% of abdominal, thoracic, and neck vascular injuries, respectively. Nonvascular complications occurred more frequently in patients with abdominal vascular injuries who were hemodynamically unstable on presentation. All patients with thoracic vascular injuries presenting with hemodynamic instability died. In patients with neck vascular injuries, 1 of 2 patients who were hemodynamically unstable died, compared to 1 of 12 patients who died in those who presented hemodynamically stable. Overall survival was 75%.

CONCLUSIONS

Survival and complications of pediatric truncal vascular injury are related to hemodynamic status at the time of presentation. Associated injuries are higher with trauma involving the abdomen.

Endovascular grafts for treatment of traumatic injury to the aortic arch and great vessels

BACKGROUND

Treatment of traumatic vascular injury using endovascular techniques has evolved as endovascular capabilities have advanced over the past several decades. Several endovascular techniques have been employed to address the challenges of traumatic arterial injury, including coil embolization and the use of stents, which may be either bare metal or covered with graft material. Compared with traditional surgical repair, endovascular stent grafting for the repair of traumatic arterial injury offers the advantage of decreased morbidity because a remote access site may be used, avoiding surgical dissection and lengthy operating times.

METHODS

A Medline (1995-2007) search was performed to find all studies discussing the use of endovascular means to treat supradiaphragmatic arterial trauma.

RESULTS

In this review of 195 studies published between January 1995 and December 2007, the overall technical success rate of endovascular treatment of supradiaphragmatic arterial injury was 96.7%, and the complication rate was 6.4%.

CONCLUSION

The results of this review suggest a potential morbidity and mortality benefit over traditional open repair; however, long-term data are lacking. Long-term follow-up for stent durability is of particular concern in the trauma population, which tends to comprise younger patients with minimal atherosclerotic disease. The success of endovascular techniques is also limited by the availability of skilled interventionalists, properly outfitted angiography suites, and suitable stent graft devices. Despite these challenges, the potential advantages of endovascular stenting make it a welcome addition to the armamentarium of the vascular interventionalist who treats arterial traumatic injuries.

Current management of traumatic rupture of the descending thoracic aorta

Traumatic rupture of the descending thoracic aorta remains a leading cause of death following major blunt trauma. Management has evolved from uniformly performing emergent open repair with clamp and sew technique to include open repair with mechanical circulatory support, medical management and most recently, endovascular repair. This latter approach appears, in the short term, to be associated with perhaps better outcome, but long term data is still accruing. While an attractive option, there are specific anatomic and physiologic factors to be considered in each individual case.

Endovascular stenting of a penetrating axillary artery injury in a 14-year-old with 1-year follow-up

In the management of pediatric trauma, certain principles that are practiced in children who have sustained injuries more commonly seen in adults are extrapolated from the adult trauma literature. The increased use of computer tomography angiograms in the diagnosis of penetrating vascular trauma and endovascular therapy in treating vascular trauma in the adult population is being extended to the pediatric population. We present a case of a 14-year-old male with an axillary artery injury that was diagnosed by computer tomography angiogram and treated with an endovascular Stent graft with 1-year follow-up.

Traumatic aortic injuries in the pediatric population

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Blunt trauma is the leading cause of pediatric injury, but pediatric aortic injuries are rare. We undertook this study to investigate the demographics, treatment, and outcomes of children with blunt aortic injuries and report our experience over a 10-year period.

METHODS

After Institutional Review Board approval, a 10-year retrospective review of all pediatric patients admitted with blunt aortic injury was performed. Patient demographics, injury details and severity score (Injury Severity Score), treatment, and outcomes were recorded.

RESULTS

There were 11 children, with ages ranging from 7 to 19 years. The most common mechanism of injury was motor vehicle crashes (8). Initial computed tomography demonstrated all 11 injuries: 7 thoracic aortic (TA) and 4 abdominal aortic (AA) injuries. Associated injuries were common. The TA injuries included 4 transections, 2 intimal flaps, and 1 pseudoaneurysm. Three of these were managed nonoperatively. The AA injuries included 3 intimal flaps and 1 dissection. Three of these were also managed nonoperatively. There were no complications in the 4 children with AA or in the 3 children with TA managed nonoperatively. Complications in the 4 children undergoing operative repair of the TA included paraplegia, renal failure, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, and pulmonary embolus. The mean hospital stay was 8 days. All children survived, with all but one discharged directly to home.

CONCLUSIONS

Blunt aortic injury in children is uncommon and is primarily associated with motor vehicle crashes. Injuries to the abdominal aorta were seen with restrained children vs those to the thoracic aorta that were seen in children who were unrestrained.

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair for traumatic aortic transection

BACKGROUND

Traumatic transection of the thoracic aorta is a highly morbid injury. Treatment may be delayed while attention focuses on concomitant injuries. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is effective but remains controversial in these often-young patients. We reviewed our experience in acute and subacute treatment of these injuries with TEVAR.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of five men and five women who underwent TEVAR for aortic transection from 1999 to 2007 was conducted. Procedures were performed with standard endovascular techniques. Follow-up included computed tomography at 1 month and yearly thereafter.

RESULTS

Mean age was 44 years (range, 20 to 84 years). Motor vehicle accidents accounted for 7 injuries, a snowmobile accident for 1, skydiving for 1, and balloon angioplasty of a coarctation for 1. Average diameter of the proximal landing zone was 25 mm (range, 23 to 29 mm). Mean external iliac size was 10 mm (range, 7 to 15 mm), and no conduits were required. Immediate technical success was 90%, with no 30-day mortality. Seven patients underwent repair acutely (< or =24 hours) and three patients subacutely (range, 4 days to 2 months) for pseudoaneurysm. Four patients had procedures for concomitant injuries before their transection was repaired (3 laparotomies and a fixation for open fracture). One endoleak was noted, which resolved by the 1-month follow-up. The lone device-related complication was an endograft collapse at 5 months managed by repeat endografting, which was complicated by aortoesophageal fistula requiring esophagectomy and open reconstruction. No iliac injuries occurred. At 20-months of mean follow-up (range, 2 to 70 months), all patients are alive and well.

CONCLUSIONS

TEVAR for traumatic aortic transection is feasible, with good initial success. Repair can be delayed in selected cases. Continued surveillance is necessary to ensure good long-term outcomes in these young patients. Care must be taken when performing TEVAR for this off-label indication because these devices are designed for the larger aortic diameters of aneurysm patients.

Anatomic factors associated with acute endograft collapse after Gore TAG treatment of thoracic aortic dissection or traumatic rupture

OBJECTIVE

The potentially devastating complication of total or near total thoracic endoprosthesis collapse has been described with the TAG device (W. L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, Ariz). This rare complication has resulted in a warning to clinicians and speculation about the etiology of this problem. This report evaluates potential causative anatomic factors that may increase the probability of endoprosthesis collapse in patients undergoing endovascular thoracic aneurysm repair (TEVAR).

METHODS

Preoperative and postoperative computed tomography scans were collected worldwide representing six patients who had experienced radiologically confirmed TAG endoprosthesis collapse. These were compared with a matched cohort of five patients with a TAG endoprosthesis in the same anatomic position in which no collapse occurred. Anatomic variables of aortic arch angulation, apposition, intraluminal lip length, proximal aortic diameter, distal aortic diameter, intragraft aortic diameter, percentage of oversizing, and angle of the proximal endograft to the aortic arch were compared between groups. Differences between groups were determined using the Student t test, with P < .05 considered significant.

RESULTS

The two groups (collapse vs no collapse) were evenly matched demographically, and all underwent endoluminal treatment with the TAG device, with no differences in gender, graft position in the aorta, operative indication, or age (P = NS). Distal sealing zone aortic diameter +/- standard deviation of 18.9 +/- 1.7 mm vs 22.7 +/- 2.7 mm and minimum aortic diameter within the endograft of 18.6 +/- 1.7 mm vs 22.4 +/- 3.1 mm predicted collapse (P < .05). Proximal aortic diameter, apposition, intraluminal lip length, aortic arch angle, and angle of proximal endograft to aortic arch did not predict collapse (P = NS).

CONCLUSION

Thoracic endograft collapse is an exceedingly rare event. In this series, endoprosthesis collapse occurred in patients who were treated outside the manufacturer's instructions for use for minimum required aortic diameter. Although distal aortic diameter and minimum intragraft aortic diameter predicted collapse, other variables may also influence this complication but were not significant owing to potential type II statistical errors. In the future, caution should be exercised when contemplating TEVAR in patients with small (<23 mm) aortic diameters.

The Endovascular Approach to Acute Aortic Trauma

Endovascular repair of the traumatically injured thoracic aorta has emerged as an exceptionally promising modality that is typically quicker than open repair, with a reduced risk of paralysis. There are a specific set of anatomic criteria that need to be applied, which can be rapidly assessed by the CT angiogram. The enthusiasm for endovascular repair must be tempered by recognition of the complications and lack of long-term follow-up, particularly in younger patients. Surgeons who are skilled in open aortic repair must not only be involved, but should take on a leadership role during the planning, deployment, and follow-up of these patients. Familiarity with all of the available devices expands treatment options. As more specific devices become available, and more follow-up is accrued, the role of endovascular stents will continue to grow.