Emergent endovascular stent grafting for perforated acute type B dissections and ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysms

Emergent Total Endovascular Arch Repair for Contained Aortic Arch Rupture: Another Tool in the Box

To date, emergent total endovascular aortic arch repair has not been described in the literature. We present a 67-year-old female with a poorly differentiated posterior mediastinal sarcoma. Imaging obtained was concerning for intravascular extension of the tumor into the thoracic aorta. While awaiting radiation therapy, the patient complained of worsening chest and arm pain, vital signs demonstrating tachypnea and hypoxia. Subsequent imaging revealed an increase in vascular erosion, concerning for a contained rupture, with complete obliteration of the left mainstem bronchus. The patient was emergently taken for percutaneous endovascular repair of her aortic arch. A three-vessel physician modified fenestrated graft was created and deployed with concurrent stenting of the innominate, left carotid, and left subclavian arteries. Interval computed tomography angiography revealed patency in all stented vessels, with no endoleak and no evidence of pseudoaneurysm. The patient was able to undergo chemotherapy with favorable decrease in tumor burden. Total endovascular aortic arch repair, when planned carefully, is an attractive option in high-risk patients who are otherwise not ideally suited for open total arch replacement.

Spinal cord ischemia following simultaneous EVAR and TEVAR for concomitant thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms

OBJECTIVES

In patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms, 10-20% have concomitant thoracic aortic pathologies. These are typically managed with staged endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) due to a perceived higher risk of spinal cord ischemia from a simultaneous intervention. We aimed to determine the outcomes of patients undergoing simultaneous EVAR and TEVAR for concomitant aneurysms.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was performed using the Vascular Quality Initiative registry from December 2003 to January 2021. Patients undergoing same-day EVAR and TEVAR were included and analyzed in accordance with the Society for Vascular Surgery reporting standards. Primary outcomes were technical success and spinal cord ischemia.

RESULTS

Simultaneous EVAR and TEVAR was performed in 25 patients. Median age was 75.0 (IQR 63.0-79.0) years and 20 (80.0%) patients were male. Two (4.0%) patients were symptomatic and four (16.0%) presented with rupture. Median maximum infrarenal and thoracic aortic diameter was 57.0 (IQR 52.0-65.0). Infrarenal aortic neck length was 15.0mm (IQR 10.0-25.0), and diameter was 27.0mm (IQR 24.5-30.0). Median procedure time was 185.0 minutes (IQR, 117.8-251.3), fluoroscopy time 32.7 minutes (IQR, 21.8-63.1), and contrast volume 165 ml (IQR 115.0-207.0). There were three (12.0%) Type Ia endoleaks and three (12.0%) Type II endoleaks in EVAR's, with one (4.0%) Type Ia and one (4.0%) Type II endoleak in TEVARs. In-hospital mortality occurred in three (12.0%) patients (one elective, two ruptures). Spinal cord ischemia occurred in one (4.0%) patient. This patient had a symptomatic aneurysm. Thoracic coverage extended from Zone 4 to Zone 5 and an emergent spinal drain was placed postoperatively. Symptoms were present on discharge. There was one (4.0%) conversion to open repair which occurred in a ruptured aneurysm. Technical success was achieved in 19 (76.0%) patients, however when excluding ruptured aneurysms, was achieved in 17 (81.0%) patients. Follow-up data was available for 19 (76.0%) patients at a median of 426.0 (IQR 329.0-592.5) days postoperatively. A total of 3 (12.0%) patients died during the late mortality period, at a mean of 509.0 (±503.7) days. Median change in abdominal and thoracic aortic sac diameter was -1.35mm (IQR -11.5-2.5) and 8.0 (IQR -10.5-12.0) respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Simultaneous EVAR and TEVAR for concomitant abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms can be performed with low rates of spinal cord ischemia. Short- and mid-term outcomes are acceptable.

[Endovascular interventions for multiple trauma]

CLINICAL ISSUE

In recent years interventional radiology has significantly changed the management of injured patients with multiple trauma. Currently nearly all vessels can be reached within a reasonably short time with the help of specially preshaped catheters and guide wires to achieve bleeding control of arterial und venous bleeding.

STANDARD TREATMENT/TREATMENT INNOVATIONS

Whereas bleeding control formerly required extensive open surgery, current interventional methods allow temporary vessel occlusion (occlusion balloons), permanent embolization and stenting.

DIAGNOSTIC WORK-UP

In injured patients with multiple trauma preinterventional procedural planning is performed with the help of multidetector computed tomography whenever possible.

PERFORMANCE

Interventional radiology not only allows minimization of therapeutic trauma but also a considerably shorter treatment time.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Interventional bleeding control has developed into a standard method in the management of vascular trauma of the chest and abdomen as well as in vascular injuries of the upper and lower extremities when open surgical access is associated with increased risk. Additionally, pelvic trauma, vascular trauma of the superior thoracic aperture and parenchymal arterial lacerations of organs that can be at least partially preserved are primarily managed by interventional methods.

PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS

In an interdisciplinary setting interventional radiology provides a safe and efficient means of rapid bleeding control in nearly all vascular territories in addition to open surgical access.

Neurological complications of thoracic endovascular aortic repair

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has decreased the morbidity and mortality associated with open surgical repair of descending thoracic aortic diseases, but important complications unique to the procedure remain. Spinal cord ischemia and infarction is a recognized complication caused by endovascular coverage or injury to spinal cord collateral vessels. Stroke is a consequence of thromboembolism or coverage of aortic arch branch vessels with insufficient collateral circulation. Understanding the risk factors and the pathophysiology of neurological complications of TEVAR are important for the successful anesthetic and surgical management and treatment of patients undergoing endovascular procedures involving the thoracic aorta.

Impact of intercostal artery occlusion on spinal cord ischemia following thoracic endovascular aortic repair

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate intercostal artery patency following thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and its relationship with spinal cord ischemia (SCI).

METHODS

Patients with SCI (n = 7) and a matched control cohort (n = 18) were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Radiographic analysis of intercostal patency was assessed using 3-dimensional (3-D)-reconstructed images of pre- and postoperative CT angiograms (1-6 months, 6-12 months, and 1-5 years).

RESULTS

Patients with SCI had a higher incidence of perioperative hypotension (P < .01) and longer procedure duration (P = .01). While the mean number of patent intercostal arteries at each time interval was not significantly different between groups, both SCI (P = .002) and control (P <.001) groups demonstrated a significant reduction in patent intercostal arteries in the stented area of the aorta following TEVAR.

CONCLUSION

TEVAR decreases intercostal artery patency in the area of aortic coverage. Our data suggest that intercostal artery patency, in conjunction with perioperative hypotension, is an important contributor to postoperative SCI.

Risk factors, outcomes, and clinical manifestations of spinal cord ischemia following thoracic endovascular aortic repair

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence, risk factors, and clinical manifestations of spinal cord ischemia (SCI) after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR).

METHODS

A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database was performed for all patients undergoing TEVAR at a single academic institution between July 2002 and June 2010. Preoperative demographics, procedure-related variables, and clinical details related to SCI were examined. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for the development of SCI.

RESULTS

Of the 424 patients who underwent TEVAR during the study period, 12 patients (2.8%) developed SCI. Mean age of this cohort with SCI was 69.6 years (range, 44-84 years), and 7 were women. One-half of these patients had prior open or endovascular aortic repair. Indication for surgery was either degenerative aneurysm (n = 8) or dissection (n = 4). Six TEVARs were performed electively, with the remaining done either urgently or emergently due to contained rupture (n = 2), dissection with malperfusion (n = 2), or severe back pain (n = 2). All 12 patients underwent extent C endovascular coverage. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated chronic renal insufficiency to be independently associated with SCI (odds ratio [OR], 4.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-16.6; P = .029). Onset of SCI occurred at a median of 10.6 hours (range, 0-229 hours) postprocedure and was delayed in 83% (n = 10) of patients. Clinical manifestations of SCI included lower extremity paraparesis in 9 patients and paraplegia in 3 patients. At SCI onset, average mean arterial pressure (MAP) and lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure was 77 mm Hg and 10 mm Hg, respectively. Therapeutic interventions increased blood pressure to a significantly higher average MAP of 99 mm Hg (P = .001) and decreased lumbar CSF pressure to a mean of 7 mm Hg (P = .30) at the time of neurologic recovery. Thirty-day mortality was 8% (1 of 12 patients). The single patient who expired, never recovered any lower extremity neurologic function. All patients surviving to discharge experienced either complete (n = 9) or incomplete (n = 2) neurologic recovery. At mean follow-up of 49 months, 7 of 9 patients currently alive continued to exhibit complete, sustained neurologic recovery.

CONCLUSION

Spinal cord ischemia after TEVAR is an uncommon, but important complication. Preoperative renal insufficiency was identified as a risk factor for the development of SCI. Early detection and treatment of SCI with blood pressure augmentation alone or in combination with CSF drainage was effective in most patients, with the majority achieving complete, long-term neurologic recovery.

Emergency endovascular treatment for ruptured type B dissection in the abdominal aorta

Despite successful endograft placement in the thoracic aorta, dissections remain problematic in the abdominal aorta. Herein, the authors describe two successful cases of endovascular treatment of ruptured abdominal aortic dissections. One patient, despite previously undergoing successful thoracic endograft placement, presented with a ruptured false channel and was treated by excluding major re-entries with a covered renal stent and stent-graft limb. A second patient, with a ruptured dissection superimposed on a preexisting abdominal aortic aneurysm, was treated with thoracic and abdominal stent-grafts. In both patients, progressive healing of the aorta occurred, with patients presenting no symptoms at an average follow-up of 20 months.

Endovascular stenting of thoracic aortic aneurysm

In 2005, the findings of the multicenter Gore Tag study led to United States Food and Drug Administration approval for endovascular repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TEVAR). TEVAR provides a therapeutic option for patients who have thoracic aortic aneurysm and for the treatment of type B aortic dissection with malperfusion. Spinal cord ischemia and stroke are recognized neurologic complications of TEVAR. Identification of high-risk patients combined with targeted anesthetic and perioperative management may decrease the risk of neurologic complications after TEVAR.

[Is endovascular treatment of acute thoracic aortic disease possible in centers where extracorporal circulation is not available?]

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether access to extra-corporal circulation (ECC) is necessary to treat acute descending thoracic aorta disease.

METHOD

From January 2004 to May 2006, 16 patients underwent endovascular stent-graft repair of the descending thoracic aorta, among them 13 (81%) were treated in an emergency setting (nine men, mean age: 75.4 years, range 30-94 years). The indication was traumatic aortic rupture (n=3, 23%), complicated acute type B dissection (n=4; 31%), symptomatic or ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm (n=4; 31%), aorto-esophageal fistula (n=1; 7,5%) and aortic intramural haematoma (n=1; 7,5%). Computed tomography showed hemomediastin and/or hemothorax in five patients (38%). Transesophageal echocardiography and angiography were performed in two (15%) and one patients respectively. Cerebrospinal fluid drainage was performed for two patients (15%).

RESULTS

Endovascular repair was successfully completed in 92.3% of cases. The 30-day mortality was 7.5% (n=1). There was one case (7.5%) of delayed paraplegia. Follow-up ranged between two and 24 months (mean 10.2), no rupture occurred. Three type I endoleaks were detected and only two were treated. Two none related additional mortalities were observed. None of these patients has needed ECC.

CONCLUSION

The unavailability of ECC does not seem to be a compromising factor in the management of thoracic aorta disease, however a good experience in endovascular techniques is required.

Emergency Treatment of Acute Rupture of the Descending Thoracic Aorta Using Endovascular Stent-Grafts

Open surgical management of acute rupture of the descending thoracic aorta (DTA) is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Endovascular stent-grafts (ESGs) could provide a less invasive treatment alternative to conventional open surgery. The purpose of this report detailing our experience using ESG for treatment of acute rupture of the DTA is to determine the indications for endovascular repair. From June 2000 to April 2005, 17 patients presenting rupture of the DTA were treated using commercially available ESGs at our institution. There were two women and 15 men, with a mean age of 41.9 +/- 20.5 years. The cause of aortic rupture was traumatic in 13 cases and nontraumatic in four. Treatment was undertaken immediately in 10 cases and delayed in seven (range 5-68 days, mean 23.5). In one patient, the proximal neck landing zone was prepared prior to endovascular repair. No patients died during the postoperative period. The technical success rate was 84%. One patient developed a proximal type 1 endoleak at the end of the procedure. Three complications, i.e., two iliac dissections and one femoral artery rupture, occurred during the procedure. No paraplegia was observed. Mean follow-up was 13.3 months (range 1-41). One patient treated for traumatic rupture was lost from follow-up 21 months after initial treatment. No procedure-related complication was observed in this traumatic rupture group. Control computed tomographic scan at 13 months following the procedure demonstrated no evidence of periprosthetic leak or false aneurysm. In the nontraumatic rupture group, two patients died of aortic rupture and one treated for aortobronchial fistula developed recurrent hemoptysis 23 months after initial treatment and required placement of two additional ESGs. The immediate outcome of covered stent-graft placement for management of acute aortic rupture of the DTA is good. However, long-term surveillance is mandatory, especially in patients treated for nontraumatic aortic rupture that is associated with a high late complication rate. Further study will be needed to determine the exact utility of endovascular therapy for aortic rupture: final treatment or bridge to conventional open-chest repair when the patient's condition has stabilized.

Emergency endovascular stent-graft treatment for acute thoracic aortic syndromes

OBJECTIVE

We report the results of our ongoing experience of urgent and emergency stent-graft implantation in acute thoracic aortic syndromes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In the last 5-years, 19 patients were treated for acute thoracic aortic syndromes. Traumatic rupture was diagnosed in 7 patients, complicated acute type B dissection was present in 5 patients, penetrating ulcer in 4, and symptomatic thoracic aortic aneurysm in 3 patients. There were 17 male patients with a mean age of 54 +/-26 years (range 18-87 ; median 63). Patients were treated in the theatre suite under general anesthesia. Stent-graft placement was technically successful in all patients. The early postoperative mortality was 10.5 %. Neurological events or upper arm ischemia due to overstenting of the left subclavian artery were not observed. Average intensive care unit and hospital stay were 18 and 21 days, respectively. Major complications occurred in 6 patients. Follow-up ranged between 3 and 60 months (mean 25) and included clinical examinations and serial CT-angiography at 1, 4 and 12 months, and every year thereafter. Only one type II endoleak was detected and treated by coil embolization of the left subclavian artery.

CONCLUSIONS

Our experience suggests emergency stent-graft repair in patients with acute thoracic aortic syndromes is a less-invasive attractive alternative, showing encouraging early and mid-term results.

Early outcomes after elective and emergent endovascular repair of the thoracic aorta

BACKGROUND

Endovascular treatment of thoracic aortic pathology has emerged as a viable alternative to open surgical repair in both the elective and emergent settings. The aim of this study was to evaluate preoperative work-up, intra-operative strategy, and outcomes of endovascular stent-grafting of the thoracic aorta in patients undergoing elective repair and those undergoing emergent repair.

METHODS

All patient information was obtained by a retrospective review of an established clinical database for all endovascular thoracic stent-graft cases. From October 1999 to August 2005, 70 patients were treated with endovascular stent-grafts for lesions of the thoracic aorta. Thirty-five patients had an elective endovascular procedure, and 35 patients had an emergent procedure.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients in the endovascular (EL) group were treated for aneurysm (n = 34) and type B dissection (n = 1). Thirty-five patients in the emergent (EM) group were treated for aneurysm (n = 10), intramural hematoma (n = 10), type B dissection (n = 7), traumatic rupture (n = 7), and aortoesophageal fistula (n = 1). Preoperative angiography was performed in 94.3% (33/35) of EL patients but in only 45.7% (16/35) EM patients (P < .005). The EM procedures had significantly shorter operative times, used lower contrast volumes, used fewer stent-graft components (mode 2, range 1 to 5 vs mode 1, range 1 to 3; P = .02), and spinal cerebrospinal fluid drains were used significantly less often (82.9% vs 57.1%, P = .04). Both groups had similar 30-day morbidity, mortality (0/35 EL vs 1/35 [2.9%] EM, P = .99), postoperative endoleak (9/35 [25.7%] EL vs 7/35 [20.0%] EM, P = .78), endovascular failure (3/35 [8.6%] EL vs 5/35 [14.3%] EM, P = .71), and patient survival.

CONCLUSION

There are significant differences in the underlying pathology, preoperative evaluation, and operative course between elective and emergency treatment endovascular procedures for lesions of the thoracic aorta. Endovascular repair of thoracic aortic lesions can be accomplished with low perioperative mortality and morbidity rates, as well as acceptable endoleak and endovascular failure rates for both elective and emergency procedures.

Emergency endovascular stent graft repair for acute blunt thoracic aortic injury: a retrospective case control study

OBJECTIVE

To compare surgical and endovascular stent graft (ESG) treatment of blunt thoracic aortic injury (BAI) in the emergency setting.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Retrospective case control study in two surgical intensive care units of a university hospital.

PATIENTS

30 patients who presented with BAI between 1995 and 2005: 17 treated surgically and 13 by ESG. The two groups were comparable for the severity of trauma and mean delay before treatment; the mean age was higher in the ESG group (46+/-18 vs. 35+/-15 years).

RESULTS

In the surgical group time spent in the operating theater was longer (310+/-130 vs. 140+/-48 min) and blood losses higher (2000+/-1300 vs. no significant bleeding); aortic clamping time was 48+/-20 min. The mortality rate was 15% with ESG (n=2) and 23% with surgery (n=4). Complications of the procedure were more frequent in the surgical group (1 vs. 7). In the ESG group there was one pulmonary embolism. In the surgical group there were three neurological complications, one acute aortic dissection, one perioperative rupture, one periprosthetic leak, and one septic shock. Two complications (postoperative aortic dissection and paraplegia) appeared in the same patient in the surgical group. Intensive care unit length of stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, and catecholamine support were similar in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Stent graft for emergency treatment of BAI is efficient and is associated with fewer complications than surgical treatment.

Endovascular repair of the descending thoracic aorta: evidence for the change in clinical practice

The purpose was to review outcome data following endovascular repair of the descending thoracic aorta from reports published between 1994 and 2004. To accomplish this task, 1,518 patients underwent endovascular repair for thoracic aortic disease; 810 thoracic aortic aneurysms, 500 type B thoracic aortic dissections, and 106 traumatic ruptures. The 30-day mortality rate was 5.5% and 6% for late postoperative deaths. The primary technical success rate was 97%, with only 15 patients requiring open conversion. Neurologic deficits occurred in 29 patients. In total, 118 endoleaks were reported; 29 were restented, and the remainder required surgical intervention. Graft infection occurred in 6 cases, and migrations were detected in 10. The conclusion reached is that endovascular repair of descending thoracic aortic disease is feasible and can be achieved with low rates of perioperative morbidity and mortality. As few long-term data exist on the durability of thoracic stent grafts, lifelong surveillance remains necessary.

Endovascular Repair of Nontraumatic Ruptured Thoracic Aortic Pathologies

Endovascular repair of ruptured infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) is receiving increased attention as the number of experienced users increases. Development of thoracic aortic stent grafts has lagged behind infrarenal advancements because of the reported prevalence of disease. In a few centers, however, the experience in performing thoracic stent graft procedures is quite substantial, such that endovascular therapy has been applied to ruptured thoracic aortic pathologies even though data remain limited and this novel therapy remains controversial. We report our combined experience with endovascular repair of ruptured thoracic aneurysms (RTA) and ruptured thoracic dissections (RTD). One hundred eighty-four thoracic stent graft procedures at the University of North Carolina (UNC) and Union Memorial Hospital (UMH) were reviewed and those patients undergoing RTA or RTD repair from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2003 identified. Patients having procedures for elective repair or aortic transections were excluded from the analysis. Patient presentation, preoperative condition, procedural variables, mortality, and morbidity were examined. Seventy-four percent of the collective procedures were undertaken in high-risk patients (UNC, 38 of 40; UMH, 99 of 144). Twenty-two patients (8.7%; UNC, n = 6; UMH, n = 16) underwent treatment for either an RTA (n = 11) or an RTD (n = 11). The average age of this cohort was 66.5 +/- 15.6 years and the average aneurysm diameter was 73.1 +/- 31.4 mm. The mean duration of symptoms prior to repair was 103.1 +/- 122 hr, influenced primarily by transport times and device availability. Stent graft exclusion was accomplished in 100% of patients with a procedural mortality of 0%. Commercial Talent devices were used in 19 patients (86.4%) and AneuRx device was used in 1 patient (4.5%). In the remaining two (9.1%) patients hand-made devices constructed of Gianturco stents and Dacron fabric were used because of active hemorrhage and lack of appropriate device sizes. Operative time was 135.5 +/- 48.5 min and was associated with an average blood loss of 242.0 +/- 232.4 cc. Thirty-day mortality was 45.5% (RTA, 27.3%; RTD, 63.6%; p = 0.099). Length of stay in the intensive care unit was 6.1 +/- 7.9 days and the mean hospital stay was 11.7 +/- 10.6 days. Major complications were present in 54.5% of RTA (cardiac, 1; pulmonary, 3; cardiovascular accident, 2; spinal cord ischemia, 2; pulmonary embolism, 1), and 81.2% of RTD (multisystem organ failure, 7; pulmonary, 1; common femoral artery injury, 1) but not statistically different between groups. There were only two late complications (cardiac death, endoleak-Ia, 1) that occurred during the mean follow-up of 12.5 +/- 11.3 (range, 1-32) months. These results indicate that endovascular repair of ruptured thoracic pathologies can be accomplished with an acceptable morbidity and mortality. There were no immediate procedural mortalities and complete exclusion was accomplished in all patients. Most postoperative complications arose from preexisting medical conditions and were not procedure related. The benefit of endovascular repair of ruptured thoracic aortic pathologies is promising.

Emergency endovascular interventions for acute thoracic aortic rupture: Four-year follow-up

OBJECTIVE

High mortality and paraplegia rates associated with the surgical management of acute thoracic aortic ruptures limit its success. It was our objective to evaluate whether emergency endovascular interventions would improve the outcomes of these patients.

METHODS

Sixty patients aged 28 to 83 years were admitted to our institution with an acute rupture of the thoracic aorta (27 ruptured aneurysms, 15 perforated type B dissections, 18 traumatic ruptures). Twenty-eight patients were treated surgically with cardiopulmonary bypass, and 32 patients were acutely treated with an endovascular stent graft. Medical records were reviewed for prehospital and emergency department data, operative findings, and outcomes. Patients were followed up at yearly intervals with high-resolution multidetector computed tomographic angiography.

RESULTS

Perioperatively, there were 1 death (3.1%) among the 32 patients in the endovascular group and 5 deaths (17.8%) among the 28 patients in the surgical group. There were 4 late deaths in the endovascular group and 1 in the surgical group. There were 2 access failures in the endovascular group. There were 1 stroke in the endovascular group and 1 case of paraplegia in the surgical group. Three patients in the endovascular group had endovascular leaks develop that required reintervention. Two patients in the endovascular group had late thrombosis of the left subclavian artery.

CONCLUSION

Despite encouraging early outcomes, midterm results suggest a trend toward increased reintervention and late complication rates in the endovascular group. Therefore continued surveillance of patients treated with stent grafts is necessary.

Descending Thoracic Aortic Rupture: Role of Endovascular Stent-Grafting

BACKGROUND

The mortality of patients with descending thoracic aortic rupture who are treated by conventional surgery is high. Our current strategy for the management of descending thoracic aortic rupture is to treat seriously ill patients with endovascular stent-grafting using handmade grafts, and to treat other patients with traditional open repair. The aim of this study was to assess the early results of our strategy.

METHODS

Twenty-nine consecutive patients with descending thoracic aortic rupture were referred to Sapporo Medical University Hospital from June 2001 to January 2004. Eighteen of these 29 patients were selected for endovascular stent-grafting because of polytrauma (n = 7), comorbidities (n = 6), advanced age (n = 2), past history of left thoracotomy (n = 2), and patient's preference (n = 1). The remaining 11 patients underwent traditional graft replacement of the diseased aorta. Their outcomes and follow-up data were collected and analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The in-hospital mortality rate was 14% (4/29). The mortality rate for surgical patients and stent-grafting patients was 9% (1/11) and 17% (3/18), respectively. The survival rate of patients at 2 years was 63% +/- 10%. In the follow-up period, 2 of the 18 patients who underwent endovascular stent-grafting required open repair, and 1 patient underwent a redo endovascular stent-grafting procedure because of stent failure. One of these 3 patients died of an intraoperative retrograde type A aortic dissection.

CONCLUSIONS

The early results of endovascular stent-grafting for the treatment of high-risk patients with descending thoracic aortic rupture are promising. Early results of open repair can also be improved by the selection of stabilized patients. However, the requirement of reintervention indicates that detailed follow-up examinations in patients who have undergone endovascular stent-grafting with handmade stent-grafts should be performed.

Emergency Endovascular Stent-Grafting for Life-Threatening Acute Type B Aortic Dissections

BACKGROUND

There is still a considerable controversy regarding optimal treatment for patients with acute type B aortic dissection. Patients with complicated disease are particularly challenging for cardiovascular treatment. Early surgery for acute dissections of the descending aorta with life-threatening complications is known to carry a high mortality. Endovascular stent grafting is developing as an alternative treatment mainly for chronic stages of type B aortic dissection. It is not clear whether endovascular stent grafting is safe and effective in emergency treatment of acute type B aortic dissection.

METHODS

In 10 patients (7 men, 3 women; mean age, 59.2 years; range, 46 to 65 years), endovascular stent grafting was performed within 11.0 +/- 5.9 hours (range, 4 to 24 hours) of diagnosis of complications. Indications for acute intervention included contained rupture, hematothorax, life-threatening malperfusion, and refractory pain. Using a retrograde endovascular route after surgical exposure of the femoral artery, self-expanding stent prostheses consisting of polyester-covered Nitinol (Talent, World Medical; mean diameter, 40 +/- 4 mm; length, 10 cm) were placed into the descending aorta distal to the subclavian artery. Before discharge and on follow-up visits, imaging of the aorta was performed using computed tomography.

RESULTS

In 9 of 10 patients (90%), the primary entry could be completely occluded with the endovascular stent. Early mortality was 20% (2 of 10): 1 patient died after disruption of the intimal layer distal to the stent, and 1 patient died in hemorrhagic shock after surgical fenestration of the abdominal aorta for persistent malperfusion. Three patients (30%) required consecutive surgical treatment: indications included acute development of retrograde type A aortic dissection, acute stent dislocation by fractured wires and secondary leakage, and late formation of an aneurysm of the descending aorta 6 months after endovascular stent grafting. There were no surgical or late deaths.

CONCLUSIONS

Our experience provides some evidence that early mortality of life-threatening acute type B aortic dissection may be reduced by emergency endovascular stent grafting and that this form of treatment is a promising therapeutic option. Refinements, especially in stent design and application, may further improve the prognosis of patients in the life-threatening situation of complicated acute type B aortic dissection.

Twenty-year experience with acute distal thoracic aortic dissections

BACKGROUND

There are few large studies in the literature that document the clinical outcome of an acute dissection of the distal thoracic aorta (ADDA), particularly since the advent of percutaneous techniques for therapeutic and prophylactic treatment of complications of ADDA. The goal of this study was to evaluate the outcome of ADDA with respect to medical, surgical, and percutaneous treatment over a 20-year period, and to use this information to estimate the benefit that future prophylactic therapy may yield.

METHODS

The hospital records of all patients admitted with ADDA during the period of the study were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

There were 119 patients who fit the criteria of ADDA. Medical management was performed in 92 patients, with an overall mortality in this group of 13% (12/92 patients). Major morbidity occurred in 34 of the 83 surviving patients managed nonoperatively. Percutaneous interventions consisting of aortic fenestration and branch vessel stenting in 5 patients had a mortality rate of 40% and was only effective in the treatment of isolated renal artery malperfusion. Twenty-two patients underwent aortic surgery for complications or risk of impending rupture. Postoperative mortality was 18% (4/22 patients). Significant risk factors for death were rupture, acute renal failure, mesenteric ischemia, and age >70. No patient who had surgical fenestration required reoperation on the tailored segment. On the basis of clinical outcomes, we estimate that a maximum of 37% of patients could benefit acutely from prophylactic treatment of ADDA with aortic stent grafts, and an additional 13% could benefit chronically from such prophylactic treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

ADDA remains a challenging clinical problem with many failures of medical, surgical, and percutaneous therapy. Surgery remains an effective therapeutic option in the treatment of complications of acute dissection of the distal thoracic aorta, and surgical aortic fenestration is a durable treatment for malperfusion. A minority of patients may benefit from prophylactic treatment of ADDA with thoracic stent grafts.

Surgical versus endovascular treatment of acute thoracic aortic rupture: a single-center experience

BACKGROUND

Surgical management of acute thoracic aortic ruptures is controversial, especially in patients with preexisting comorbidities; associated mortality and paraplegia rates remain high. It was our objective to evaluate whether treating these patients acutely with endovascular stent grafts would improve their outcome.

METHODS

From November 1999 to February 2002 a total of 54 patients, age 28 to 83 years, were admitted to our institution with an acute rupture of the thoracic aorta (24 ruptured aneurysms, 14 perforated type B dissections, 16 traumatic ruptures). Twenty-eight patients were managed surgically using cardiopulmonary bypass (group 1), and 26 patients were treated acutely with an endovascular stent graft (group 2). The resuscitation protocol and interval from onset of symptoms to treatment was comparable in both groups. Medical records were reviewed for prehospitalization and emergency department data, operative findings, and outcomes.

RESULTS

There were 5 of 28 deaths (17.8%) in the surgical group and 1 of 26 deaths (3.8%) in the endovascular group. In the surgical group 1 of 28 patients (3.6%) exhibited paraplegia; there were no cases of paraplegia in the endovascular group. There were 4 of 28 cases (14.3%) of renal failure in group 1 and 1 of 26 (3.8%) in group 2. In group 1, 8 patients (28.6%) required mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours; there were 2 of 26 patients (7.7%) in group 2 with this ventilatory requirement. Three patients required a repeat thoracotomy for hemorrhage in the surgical group. There were two access failures in the endovascular group.

CONCLUSIONS

In the treatment of acute ruptures of the thoracic aorta, the immediate outcome of patients treated with endovascular stent grafts appears to be better than with management by conventional surgical repair.