False aneurysms at both ends of a descending thoracic aortic stent-graft: complication after endovascular repair of a penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer

Current diagnosis and management of blunt traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta

The diagnosis and management of aortic lacerations has been gradually improving. Historically, aortic lacerations were a common cause of exsanguination with extremely high mortality rate. However, in modern trauma systems with advanced resuscitation and rapid radiology imaging, the diagnosis of an aortic injury is improving with an emphasis on preventing the progression of intimal flaps and pseudoaneurysms to frank dissection or rupture. Both diagnostic modalities and the paradigm of immediate operative intervention have changed. The evolution of endovascular stenting may play a future role in definitive care.

Late Perforation of a Thoracic Aortic Dacron Graft by a Metallic Stent-Graft Component

PURPOSE

To describe a case involving perforation of a previously placed aortic Dacron graft by the uncovered proximal stent of a thoracic stent-graft.

CASE REPORT

A 76-year-old man with a surgically treated type A dissection presented with residual type B dissection. Thoracic stent-grafting of the entry site was performed successfully. After 2 years, the patient was admitted for evaluation of a non-pulsating parasternal mass. Computed tomography showed a large, hypodense liquid-like mass affecting the mediastinum up to the subcutaneous tissue. A false aneurysm at the proximal end of the stent-graft was observed arising from an aortic perforation by the uncovered stent. One week later, the mass had almost completely resolved, and the patient has been scheduled for close surveillance.

CONCLUSION

This case illustrated the importance of thoroughly examining the long-term durability and compatibility of prosthetic materials.

Thoracic Aorta False Aneurysm: What Surgical Strategy Should Be Recommended?

BACKGROUND

Thoracic aorta false aneurysms (TAFA) are a surgical challenge. The best technical approach remains uncertain.

METHODS

Between 1981 and 2004, 57 patients underwent operation for TAFA (mean age 57 +/- 18 years; 43 [75%] were male). Symptoms included dyspnea 25 (44%), chest pain 22 (39%), and fever 18 (32%). Twelve (21%) were asymptomatic. Thirty-seven (65%) had undergone previous operation with a mean interval between operations of 80 +/- 90 months. Fifteen (26%) had a mycotic etiology. The TAFA involved the aortic root in 10 (18%), ascending aorta in 28 (49%), arch in 6 (11%), and descending aorta in 13 (32%). Twenty-one (37%) required femorofemoral cannulation and 28 (49%), circulatory arrest. Surgical techniques included graft replacement in 27 (47%), composite root in 10 (18%), patch repair in 10 (18%), and direct suture in 10 (18%).

RESULTS

Operative mortality was 7% (4 patients). Four of 32 (13%) had massive hemorrhage during redo sternotomy, and all of these had planned extramediastinal cannulation (all survived). Follow-up was 100% for 349 patient-years. Actuarial survival was 77% +/- 6%, 63% +/- 8%, and freedom from recurrent TAFA was 87% +/- 5% and 83% +/- 7%, at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Univariate analysis identified TAFA greater than 55 mm, urgent operation, and NewYork Heart Association functional class III or IV as predictors of hemorrhage during redo sternotomy. Obesity and ejection fraction of 35% or less were predictors of operative death.

CONCLUSIONS

Thoracic aorta false aneurysm symptoms may be minimal, and consequently a high degree of suspicion plus serial imaging is warranted. Extramediastinal cannulation, deep hypothermia, and circulatory arrest are required for large mediastinal TAFA. Despite serious risks, TAFA correction is possible with good long-term results.

Comparison of a percutaneous separate stent endograft and a conventional thoracic stent-graft for endovascular repair of type B aortic dissection

PURPOSE

To compare the immediate and midterm outcomes of aortic dissection repair with a separate stent endograft (SSE) versus a conventionally constructed thoracic stent-graft.

METHODS

The records of 35 patients treated for type B aortic dissection from September 1997 to April 2003 were reviewed. Seventeen patients (12 men; mean age 58.8+/-11.6 years) underwent endovascular repair with a separate stent endograft (SSE), a custom-made device with a reduced profile suitable for percutaneous introduction through a 12-F sheath. Eighteen patients (10 men; mean age 56.1+/-12.8 years) underwent treatment with a conventional custom-made stent-graft.

RESULTS

Angiographic success was achieved in 13/17 (76.5%) of the SSE-treated patients and 12/18 (66.7%) for the conventional device group (p=0.521). Clinical success (complete obliteration/thrombosis of the false lumen) was achieved in 12/17 (70.6%) and 11/18 (61.1%), respectively (p=0.555). There were 2 cases of stent-graft movement during deployment and 2 access site complications in the conventional stent-graft group, whereas the SSE patients had no complications. Except for 2 conventional stent-graft patients who were lost to follow-up, all patients are alive at a mean 19.5+/-11.6 months for the SSE group and 34.2+/-21.5 months for the conventional stent-graft patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The separate stent endograft can be deployed percutaneously without the need for blood pressure reduction, achieving accurate deployment without migration. In this small clinical experience, patients treated with the SSE had no access site complications and demonstrated midterm results comparable to the conventional stent-graft cohort, suggesting the possible usefulness of this device for the treatment of thoracic aortic dissection.

Penetrating Atherosclerotic Ulcers of the Infrarenal Aorta: Life-threatening Lesions

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the incidence, clinical features, natural history, and treatment of penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers (PAU) of the abdominal aorta.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

From January 2000 to June 2003, an abdominal PAU was diagnosed at our institution in eight patients (seven men, one woman; mean age 70 year). These eight cases were analyzed together with 38 additional cases found in a review of the literature (total 46 cases).

RESULTS

Occurring at an incidence of approximately 1%, abdominal PAU are less common than thoracic PAU. Seventy percent of cases are symptomatic: pain 52.5% (n =21), acute lower limb ischemia due to distal embolism 12.5% (n =5), shock 5% (n =2). Diagnosis is usually made by CT (66%) (n =26) that demonstrates a PAU in 35% (n =16) of cases, a subadventitial pseudoaneurysm in 28% (n =13), and rupture in 37% (n =17). An intramural hematoma (IMH) is observed in 9% (n =4) of cases. There were no cases of aortic dissection in this series. Calcifications of the abdominal aorta were frequent (56%) (n =26); while intra-aortic mural thrombus was found in 24% of cases (n =11), and 46% of patients (n =21) had an associated aneurysm. Twelve patients were treated medically while 34 underwent surgery (one postoperative death).

CONCLUSION

Review of the literature and this series suggests that PAU of the abdominal aorta is a life-threatening lesion, the main risk being rupture. Surgical management is recommended owing to its low morbidity and mortality.

Endovascular stent-graft repair of a complicated penetrating ulcer of the descending thoracic aorta: a word of caution

PURPOSE

To report a pitfall encountered during stenting of a complicated penetrating ulcer of the descending thoracic aorta.

CASE REPORT

A 65-year-old man was diagnosed with a complicated penetrating ulcer of the thoracic aorta. A 38-mm Talent endograft was implanted. On balloon dilation of the distal end of the endoprosthesis, the terminal bare stent became distorted and penetrated the aortic wall. A 42-mm endoprosthesis was immediately placed to exclude the aortic perforation. Control aortography demonstrated exclusion of the original proximal aortic ulcer and the distal iatrogenic aortic tear.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoprostheses may present some drawbacks in terms of elasticity and adaptability to tortuous and angulated diseased aortas. Caution is advised in the treatment of penetrating aortic ulcers where the aortic wall is diffusely friable. In this condition, balloon dilation should be limited to the covered portion of the stent-graft to prevent stent distortion and erosion through the aortic wall.