Long-term Results of Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Type B Aortic Dissection and Risk Factors for Survival

Midterm Results of the STABILISE Technique in the Treatment of Aortic Dissection

Background: Contemporary treatments of acute aortic dissection, including medical, surgical, and endovascular options, are remarkably effective at the management of malperfusion and rupture. Unfortunately, long-term studies indicate that 30%-50% of patients need secondary procedures to treat progressive aneurysmal enlargement of the untreated aorta. The Stent-assisted balloon-induced intimal disruption and relamination in aortic dissection repair (STABILISE) technique was introduced to improve long-term outcomes. Purpose: This study aims to investigate the results of the STABILISE technique in patients with aortic dissection. Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective review of all patients treated with the STABILISE technique. There were 12 de novo type B aortic dissection (TBAD) and 7 residual TBAD following type A aortic dissection (TAAD) repair. Results: There was disruption of the dissection membrane and relamination in all or part of the bare metal stent segment in 100% of cases. The average percent attainment of a uni-luminal aorta in comparison to the length with persistent false lumen was 91 ± 12%. Conclusion: Midterm results suggest that the STABILISE technique may improve aortic remodeling after endovascular treatment of acute dissection.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Current Evidence Related to the Impact of Endovascular Repair Timing on Prognosis of Acute Stanford Type B Aortic Dissection

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to determine whether thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) timing is more beneficial in the acute phase (first 14 days) than in the subacute phase (14-90 days) for the administration of acute Stanford type B aortic dissection (TBAD).

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted in databases (EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane Library) until December 2023 to identify studies reporting the results of TEVAR used for patients with acute TBAD. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated utilizing either the random-effects model or the fixed-effects model.

RESULTS

A total of 25 studies involving 4,827 individuals with TBAD (including 1,609 with subacute TBAD) met our selection criteria. Early results revealed a lower incidence of Ia endoleaks (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.03-2.33; P = 0.04) and aortic ruptures (OR, 2.89; 95% CI, 0.98-8.50; P = 0.05) in subacute TBAD. Apart from these findings, there was little difference in other incidents between the 2 groups. Regarding late outcomes, we observed significantly higher rates of retrograde dissection (OR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.04-4.34; P = 0.04), distal stent-induced new entry (OR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.24-4.61; P = 0.009), and reintervention (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 0.05-1.99; P = 0.02) in acute TBAD than in subacute TBAD, whereas no significant differences were found for other outcomes between the 2 groups. Also, TEVAR appeared to yield comparable results for false lumen thrombosis and true lumen regression in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Subacute TBAD repair with TEVAR demonstrates a more effective reduction in adverse event rates compared to immediate treatment in the acute phase.

Entry Site Is Associated With Aortic Enlargement After Pre-emptive Endovascular Repair for Uncomplicated Type B Aortic Dissection

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to examine the mid-term results corresponding to the entry site in patients who underwent pre-emptive thoracic endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (TEVAR) for uncomplicated type B aortic dissection (TBAD).

METHODS

We included 27 patients who underwent pre-emptive TEVAR for uncomplicated TBAD between September 2014 and December 2019. We divided the patients into 2 groups depending on the proximal landing zone (zone 2 group, zone ≥3 group) and retrospectively analyzed the risk of all-cause and aorta-related mortality, aortic events (rupture, open conversion, and secondary intervention), and aortic enlargement (≥5 mm).

RESULTS

The median age of the patients was 53 (47-65) years. The median duration from the onset of uncomplicated TBAD to TEVAR was 43 (30-99) days, and the median follow-up duration was 48 (36-57) months. The maximum preoperative diameter of the dissected aorta was 40 mm in the zone 2 group and 35 mm in the zone ≥3 group (p=0.134). There was no case of hospital death or spinal cord ischemia; however, there was 1 (3.7%) case of perioperative stroke in the zone 2 group. Multivariate analysis of the risk factors for aortic enlargement following pre-emptive TEVAR for uncomplicated TBAD revealed that only zone 2 landing was an independent risk factor. The estimated Kaplan-Meier curve showed a higher rate of aortic enlargement in the zone 2 group at 4 years after pre-emptive TEVAR (46.4% vs 0%, log-rank test; p=0.011).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study on TBAD, we found that zone 2 landing was associated with aortic enlargement after pre-emptive TEVAR. In cases where the distance from the left subclavian artery to a major entry point was short, there were more cases of aortic dilatation.

CLINICAL IMPACT

The effectiveness of entry closure for type B aortic dissection was demonstrated in the INSTEAD XL trial. The cause of aortic enlargement after pre-emptive endovascular treatment for type B aortic dissection remains controversial. In the present study, zone 2 landing was a risk factor for aortic enlargement after pre-emptive thoracic endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (TEVAR) for uncomplicated type B dissection. Patients with zone 2 landing should be closely followed up after pre-emptive TEVAR.

Technical Pitfalls for Fenestrated-Branched Endovascular Aortic Repair Following PETTICOAT

PURPOSE

The Provisional Extension to Induce Complete Attachment Technique (PETTICOAT) uses a bare-metal stent to scaffold the true lumen in patients with acute or subacute aortic dissections. While it is designed to facilitate remodeling, some patients with chronic post-dissection thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) require repair. This study describes the technical pitfalls of fenestrated-branched endovascular aortic repair (FB-EVAR) in patients who underwent prior PETTICOAT repair.

TECHNIQUE

We report 3 patients with extent II TAAAs who had prior bare-metal dissection stents treated by FB-EVAR. Two patients required maneuvers to reroute the aortic guidewire, which was initially placed in-between stent struts. This was recognized before the deployment of the fenestrated-branched device. A third patient had difficult advancement of the celiac bridging stent due to a conflict of the tip of the stent delivery system into one of the stent struts, requiring to redo catheterization and pre-stenting with a balloon-expandable stent. There were no mortalities and target-related events after a follow-up of 12 to 27 months.

CONCLUSION

FB-EVAR following the PETTICOAT is infrequent, but technical difficulties should be recognized to prevent complications from the inadvertent deployment of the fenestrated-branched stent-graft component in-between stent struts.

CLINICAL IMPACT

The present study highlights a few maneuvers to prevent or overcome possible complications during endovascular repair of chronic post-dissection thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm following PETTICOAT. The main problem to be recognized is the placement of the aortic wire beyond one of the struts of the existing bare-metal stent. Moreover, encroachment of catheters or the bridging stent delivery system into the stent struts may potentially cause difficulties.

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair for hyperacute, acute, subacute and chronic type B aortic dissection: Meta-analysis of reconstructed time-to-event data

Since the optimal timing for thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in the context of type B aortic dissections (TBAD) remains an open question, we performed a systematic review with meta-analysis to evaluate outcomes of TEVAR according to the phases of TBAD - hyperacute, acute, subacute and chronic. We carried out a pooled meta-analysis of time-to-event data extracted from studies published by June 2023 for the following outcomes: all-cause mortality, aortic-related mortality, and late aortic reinterventions. Thirteen studies met our eligibility criteria, comprising 4,793 patients (10.3 % hyperacute, 51.9 % acute, 25.9 % subacute, 11.9 % chronic). Considering the overall population, we observed a statistically significant difference between the groups (Log-rank test, P < 0.0001) and the main differences were found in the following comparisons: hyperacute versus acute (HR 1.61; 95 %CI 1.21-2.13; P = 0.001); hyperacute versus chronic (HR 1.70; 95 %CI 1.17-2.46; P = 0.005); subacute versus acute (HR 0.78; 95 %CI 0.63-0.98; P = 0.032). Considering the population with uncomplicated TBAD, we also observed a statistically significant difference for all-cause death between the groups (Log-rank test, P < 0.0001) and the main differences were found in the comparisons for subacute versus acute (HR 0.72; 95 %CI 0.58-0.88; P = 0.002). Furthermore, we observed statistically significant differences between the groups for aortic-related death (Log-rank test, P < 0.0001) and late aortic reintervention (Log-rank test, P < 0.0001), all favoring mostly the subacute phase as the optimal timing for TEVAR. In conclusion, there seems to be a timing-specific difference in the outcomes of TEVAR for TBAD pointing to the subacute phase as the optimal timing to achieve better long-term outcomes.

Optimal Timing of Pre-emptive Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair in Uncomplicated Type B Aortic Dissection: A Network Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

This network meta-analysis compares outcomes of optimal medical therapy (OMT) and pre-emptive thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for uncomplicated type B aortic dissection at different phases of chronicity.

METHODS

MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched through November 2023. Pooled short-term outcomes (short-term mortality, perioperative complications) and long-term outcomes (all-cause mortality, aortic-related mortality, aortic re-intervention rates) were calculated.

RESULTS

Systematic review identified 17 studies (2 randomized controlled trials, 3 propensity score matching, and 2 inverse probability weighting). Subacute-phase intervention had lower short-term mortality than the acute-phase (hazard ratio [HR] [95% confidence interval [CI]]=0.60 [0.38-0.94], p=0.027). No significant differences were observed in aortic rupture and paraplegia. Acute-phase TEVAR had a higher stroke incidence than subacute-phase intervention (HR [95% CI]=2.63 [1.36-5.09], p=0.042), chronic (HR [95% CI]=2.5 [1.03-6.2], p=0.043), and OMT (HR [95% CI]=1.57 [1.12-2.18], p=0.008). Acute-phase TEVAR had higher long-term all-cause mortality than subacute-phase intervention (HR [95% CI]=1.34 [1.03-1.74], p=0.03). Optimal medical therapy had elevated long-term all-cause mortality compared with subacute-phase TEVAR (HR [95% CI]=1.67 [1.25-2.33], p<0.001) and increased long-term aortic-related mortality vs acute-phase (HR [95% CI]=2.08 [1.31-3.31], p=0.002) and subacute-phase (HR [95% CI]=2.6 [1.62-4.18], p<0.01) interventions. No significant differences were observed in aortic re-intervention rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-emptive TEVAR may offer lower all-cause mortality and aortic-related mortality than OMT. Considering lower short-term mortality, perioperative stroke rate, and long-term mortality, our findings support pre-emptive TEVAR during the subacute phase.

CLINICAL IMPACT

The optimal timing of pre-emptive thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for uncomplicated type B aortic dissection remains uncertain. This network meta-analysis suggests that the subacute phase (14-90 days from symptom onset) emerges as the optimal timing for pre-emptive TEVAR. This window is associated with lower rates of short-term complications and higher long-term survival rates compared with alternative strategies.

Impact of thoracic endovascular aortic repair on aortic biomechanics: Integration of in silico and ex vivo analysis using porcine model

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is widespread in clinical practice for treating aortic diseases but it has relevant systemic complications, such as increase of the cardiac workload due to post-TEVAR aortic stiffening, and local issues such as re-entry tears due to the tissue damage caused by endograft interaction. The present study aims to elucidate these aortic biomechanical mechanisms by coupling ex vivo and in silico analysis. By ex vivo tests, the pulse wave velocity before and after TEVAR is measured. Uni-axial tensile tests are performed to measure regional mechanical response of tissue samples, supplied as input data for the in silico analysis. Numerical analysis is finally performed to compute the wall stress induced by the stent-graft deployment and the arterial pressurization. The ex vivo results highlight an increase of baseline PWV by a mean .78 m/s or 12% after TEVAR with a 100 mm stent-graft (p <.013). In the in silico analysis, the average von Mises stress in the landing zone increases of about 15% and 20% using, respectively stent-graft with radial oversizing of 10% and 20%. This work shows the effectiveness of integrated framework to analyze the biomechanical post TEVAR mechanisms. Moreover, the obtained results quantify the effect of prosthesis selection on the stiffening of the aorta after TEVAR and on the local increase of the aortic wall stress that is proportional to the stent-graft oversizing.

Management of acute aortic syndrome with evolving individualized precision medicine solutions: Lessons learned over two decades and literature review

Background

Thoracoabdominal acute aortic syndrome is associated with high morbidity and mortality. We aim to scrutinize our evolving strategies for acute aortic syndrome (AAS) management using minimally invasive and adaptive surgical techniques over two decades.

Methods

This is a longitudinal observational study at our tertiary vascular centre from 2002 to 2021. Out of 22,349 aortic referrals, we performed 1,555 aortic interventions over twenty years. Amongst 96 presented with symptomatic aortic thoracic pathology, 71 patients had AAS. Our primary endpoint is combined aneurysm-related and cardiovascular-related mortality.

Results

There were 43 males and 28 females (5 Traumatic Aortic Transection (TAT), 8 Acute Aortic Intramural Hematoma (IMH), 27 Symptomatic Aortic Dissection (SAD) and 31 Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (TAA) post-SAD) with a mean age of 69. All the patients with AAS received optimal medical therapy (OMT), but TAT patients underwent emergency thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). Fifty-eight patients had an aortic dissection, of which 31 developed TAA. These 31 patients with SAD and TAA received OMT initially and interval surgical intervention with TEVAR or sTaged hybrId sinGle lumEn Reconstruction (TIGER). To increase our landing area, we performed a left subclavian chimney graft with TEVAR in twelve patients. The average follow-up duration was 78.2 months, and eleven patients (15.5%) had combined aneurysm and cardiovascular-related mortality. Twenty-six percentage of the patients developed endoleaks (EL), of which 15% required re-intervention for type II and III. Four patients who had paraplegia (5.7%) and developed renal failure died. None of our patients had a stroke or bowel ischaemia. Twenty patients had OMT, eight of these were patients with acute aortic hematoma, and all eight died within 30 days of presentation.

Conclusion

Acute aortic hematoma is a sinister finding, which must be closely monitored, and consideration is given to early intervention. Paraplegia and renal failure result in an increased mortality rate. TIGER technique with interval TEVAR has salvaged complex situations in young patients. Left subclavian chimney increases our landing area and abolishes SINE. Our experience shows that minimally invasive techniques could be a viable option for AAS.

Complications in Patients with Chronic Type B Aortic Dissection (cTBAD)-A Long-Term Analysis

Chronic type B aortic dissection (cTBAD) is a rare but challenging condition that requires individual treatment strategies. Especially the long-term therapy impacts prognosis. In this single-center retrospective study, we evaluated patients with cTBAD in our vascular outpatient clinic over 10 years. Follow-up consultations included contrast-enhanced, electrocardiogram-triggered, high-resolution CT angiography (CTA) covering the entire aorta. Evaluated characteristics went beyond demographic characteristics combining the treatment approach and the timing and occurrence of potential complications. We analyzed 133 patients in total (n = 92, 69.2% male) with cTBAD with a mean follow-up of 67.7 months. Most of them underwent invasive treatment (n = 102, 76.7%), the majority received thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) (n = 82, 61.7%). A total of 80 patients (60.2%) had major complications, whereas over a third was free of complications even after 5 years. Most common complications were progress of dissection and endoleaks, aneurysms of true (TL) and false lumen (FL) were more common in the later time periods. The treatment of cTBAD in terms of timing, therapy approach, and complications is still challenging for the entire aortic team. Nevertheless, the early recognition of complications permits promising treatment options and highlights the importance of frequent follow-up examinations especially within the first years.

Procedure and Aortic Remodeling Effects of Entry Closure with Stentgraft for Type B Aortic Dissection: Comparison between the Patients with Narrow True Lumen and Those with Aneurysmal Dilated False Lumen

Objectives: Appropriateness of device selection, procedure protocol and aortic remodeling effects of entry closure (TEVAR) with stent-graft (SG) for patent false lumen type B aortic dissection (TBAD) were compared between the patients with narrow true lumen (narrow group) and those with aneurysmal dilated false lumen (aneurysmal group).

Methods: Twenty-six patients with narrow true lumen (narrow group) and 20 patients with aneurysmal false lumen (aneurysmal group) were included in this study. In narrow group, straight SG was implanted from Zone 3 regardless the distance between the left subclavian artery and entry. In aneurysmal group, straight or taped SG was implanted with proximal landing zone length 20 mm or more. Thoracic aortic anatomy was evaluated by CT and aortic remodeling was defined as true lumen diameter ≥50% of the aortic diameter and occlusion of false lumen. Aorta related death, retrograde type A aortic dissection (RTAD), stentgraft induced new entry (SINE) and aortic maximum diameter enlargement 5 mm or more (aortic expansion) were included in the aortic event.

Results: There was no procedure related complication in narrow group and 1 patient died due to aortic rupture in aneurysmal group, Type Ia endoleak by enhanced CT 7 days after TEVAR was detected in one patient in each group. Achievement of aortic remodeling was significantly better in narrow group. Aortic event occurred in only one patient in narrow group, in whom aortic expansion was observed. In aneurysmal group, aortic event occurred 12 patients (60%) and 2 RTAD, 5 SINE, and 8 aorta expansion were observed. Aortic event free rate was significantly better in narrow group.

Conclusion: TEVAR procedure for the TBAD patients with narrow true lumen seemed to be appropriate, however, different TEVAR procedure or additional procedures would be required for those with aneurysmal dilated false lumen to obtain favorable outcomes. (This is secondary publication from Jpn J Vasc Surg 2021; 30: 347–357.)

Five-Year Results of Aortic Remodeling for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Type B Aortic Dissection Following Endovascular Repair

Background

This study was performed to compare aortic remodeling and clinical outcomes in patients with acute, subacute, and chronic type B aortic dissection (TBAD) after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR).

Methods

We retrospectively examined 323 consecutive patients with acute (n = 129), subacute (n = 161), and chronic (n = 33) TBAD who underwent TEVAR from June 2013 to December 2016 in in multicenter institution. Patient demographics, clinical data, and imaging characteristics were recorded and compared among the three groups.

Results

The three groups had comparable baseline characteristics. Perioperative mortality rates were similar among the acute (2.3%), subacute (0.0%), and chronic (0.0%) groups (P = 0.34). Perioperative morbidity rates, including the rates of visceral and lower limb malperfusion and cerebral infraction, were also similar. The rate of perioperative endoleak was significantly higher in the chronic group (18.1%) than in the acute (3.9%) and subacute (3.7%) groups (P = 0.02). The mean follow-up duration was 78 ± 22 months (range, 36–101 months). The mortality rates were comparable among the three groups. The rates of reintervention and lower limb malperfusion were higher in the chronic group than in the acute and subacute groups. FL diameter reduction were more robust in the acute and subacute groups than in the chronic group.

Conclusion

Patients with acute, subacute, and chronic TBAD had different outcomes in this study. Patients with acute and subacute TBAD had fewer complications than those with chronic TBAD. Aortic remodeling after TEVAR was more favorable in patients with acute and subacute TBAD than in patients with chronic TBAD. TEVAR promotes more positive remodeling at the stent graft level than at the distal level of the aorta.

Thoracic endovascular repair of chronic type B aortic dissection: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

At present, the optimal management strategy for chronic type B aortic dissection (CTBAD) remains unknown, as equipoise remains regarding medical management versus endovascular treatment versus open surgery. However, the results over recent years of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in CTBAD appear promising. The aim of this systematic review was to provide a comprehensive analysis of the available data reporting outcomes and survival rates for TEVAR in CTBAD.

METHODS

Electronic searches of six databases were performed from inception to April 2021. All studies reporting outcomes, specifically 30-day mortality rates, for endovascular repair of CTBAD were identified. Relevant data were extracted, and a random-effects meta-analysis of proportions or means was performed to aggregate the data. Survival data were pooled using data derived from original Kaplan-Meier curves, which allows reconstruction of individual patient data.

RESULTS

Forty-eight studies with 2,641 patients were identified. Early (<30 days) all-cause and aortic-related mortality rates were low at 1.6% and 0.5%, respectively. Incidence of retrograde type A dissection in the post-operative period was only 1.4%. There were also low rates of cerebrovascular accidents and spinal cord injury (1.1% and 0.9%, respectively). Late follow-up all-cause mortality was 8.0%, however, late aortic-related mortality was only 2.4%. Reintervention rates were 10.1% for endovascular and 6.7% for surgical reintervention. Pooled rates of overall survival at 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year were 91.5%, 84.7%, 77.7% and 56.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The significant heterogeneity in the available evidence and absence of consensus reporting standards are important considerations and concern when interpreting the data. Evaluation of the evidence suggests that TEVAR for CTBAD is a safe procedure with low rates of complications. However, the optimal treatment strategy for CTBAD remains debatable and requires further research. Evidence from high-quality registries and clinical trials are required to address these challenges.

Timing of endovascular repair impacts long-term outcomes of uncomplicated acute type B aortic dissection

OBJECTIVE

To compare the 5-year outcomes of acute versus subacute thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in patients with uncomplicated acute type B aortic dissection (ATBAD).

METHODS

Between March 2008 and September 2018, 238 consecutive patients with uncomplicated ATBAD underwent TEVAR in the acute or subacute phase and were analyzed retrospectively. The primary end points were all-cause death and aortic-related death. The secondary end point was a composite of the outcomes of death from any cause, rupture, new dissection, retrograde type A aortic dissection, endoleak, and late reintervention. Inverse probability treatment weighting was used to balance baseline characteristics. Weight-adjusted Kaplan-Meier estimate with landmark analysis and weighted Cox model were performed to assess time-to-event outcomes.

RESULTS

In the inverse probability treatment weighting-adjusted population, the 30-day mortality was 1.5% in the acute TEVAR group and 0% in the subacute TEVAR group (P = .24). The incidence of 30-day adverse events occurred in 16.8% and 6.9% patients in the acute TEVAR and subacute TEVAR groups, respectively (P = .13). At 5 years, there was no statistically significant difference in all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR], 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59-3.81; P = .39) and aortic-related death (HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.34-3.60; P = .86) between the two groups. The composite outcomes occurred in 30 patients (23.0%) in the acute TEVAR group and 18 patients (22.3%) in the subacute TEVAR group, respectively (HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.36-1.25; P = .20). However, a landmark analysis of the composite outcomes indicated that there was a significant interaction between treatment effect and time (P_interaction = .01), with a significantly higher incidence of the composite outcomes in the acute TEVAR group compared with the subacute TEVAR group within 1 year (HR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.08-0.79; P = .02), and a comparable rate between 1 and 5 years (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 0.56-2.76; P = .59).

CONCLUSIONS

At the 5-year follow-up, no significant differences exist in the all-cause death and aortic-related death between acute and subacute TEVAR. However, acute TEVAR is associated with an increased rate of severe complications within 1 year, which suggests that performing TEVAR in the subacute phase of ATBAD may be the preferable option.

Risk factors for incomplete thrombosis in false lumen in sub-acute type B aortic dissection post-TEVAR

There is scarce information about the risk factors for incomplete false lumen thrombosis (FLT) among type B aortic dissection (AD) patients, particularly in the sub-acute phase following thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). We enrolled consecutive sub-acute type B AD patients at Xinqiao Hospital (Chongqing, China) from May 2010 to December 2019. Patients with severe heart failure, cancer, and myocardial infarction were excluded. The postoperative computed tomography angiography (CTA) data were extracted from the most recent follow-up aortic CTA. Multivariate logistic regressions were applied to identify the association between FLT and clinical or imaging factors. Fifty-five subjects were enrolled in our study. Twelve participants showed complete FLT, and 2 of these died during the follow-up, while 8 patients died in incomplete FLT group. In the multivariate analysis, maximum abdominal aorta diameter (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.016-1.417 p = 0.032) and the number of branches arising from the false lumen (FL) (OR 15.062, 95% 1.681-134.982 p = 0.015) were significantly associated with incomplete FLT. The C-statistics was 0.873 (95% CI 0.773-0.972) for the model. The FL diameter (p < 0.001) was significantly shorter following TEVAR, while the true lumen diameter (p < 0.001) and maximum abdominal aorta diameter (p = 0.011) were larger after the aortic repair. There were 21.8% of sub-acute type B AD patients presented complete FLT post-TEVAR. Maximum abdominal aorta diameter and the number of branches arising from the FL were independent risk factors for incomplete FLT. The true lumen diameter, maximum abdominal aorta diameter, and FL diameter changed notably following TEVAR.

TEVAR for complicated and uncomplicated type B aortic dissection-Systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Type B aortic dissection (TBAD), is defined as a dissection involving the aorta distal to left subclavian artery with the ascending aorta and the aortic arch not affected. TBAD is classified due to the time frame and presence of complications. Complicated TBAD (co-TBAD) patients have a greater mortality rate than uncomplicated TBAD (un-TBAD) and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is considered the gold-standard intervention for these clinical challenges.

METHODS

We undertook a systematic review of the literature regarding TEVAR intervention in co-TBAD and un-TBAD. A comprehensive search was undertaken across four major databases and was evaluated and assessed until June 2020.

RESULTS

A total of 16,104 patients were included in the study (7772 patients co-TBAD and 8352 un-TBAD). A significantly higher proportion of comorbidities were seen in co-TBAD patients compared with un-TBAD. Acute dissection was more frequent in the co-TBAD group (73.55% vs. 66.91%), while chronic dissection was more common in un-TBAD patients (33.8% vs. 70.73%). Postprocedure stroke was higher in co-TBAD (5.85% vs. 3.92%; p < .01), while postprocedural renal failure was higher in un-TBAD patients (7.23 vs. 11.38%; p < .01). No difference was observed in in-hospital mortality however the 30 days mortality was higher in the co-TBAD group. One-year survival was higher in the uncomplicated group but this difference was not observed in the 5-year survival.

CONCLUSION

In our analysis we can appreciate that despite significantly higher comorbidities in the co-TBAD cohort, there was no difference in in-hospital mortality between the two groups and the 5-year survival did not have any difference.

Impact of Lymphocyte-Related Blood Parameters on Short- and Long-Term Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair

Lymphocyte-related blood parameters (LRBP), including neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio, and lymphocyte-monocyte ratio, could reflect a patient's overall inflammatory status. We aimed to clarify the association between preoperative LRBP and outcomes of type B aortic dissection (TBAD) patients undergoing thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). A total of 841 patients were enrolled from 2010 to 2017. Twenty-six (3.1%) patients died during hospitalization and 71 (8.7%) patients died after a median follow-up of 47.3 months. Multivariate analyses showed that the NLR was the only independent predictor for in-hospital death (odds ratio, 1.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-1.22; P < .001); 4.1 was identified as the optimum threshold for NLR after applying the X-tile program. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to diminish bias and yielded 174 matched pairs. Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio >4.1 was demonstrated to be independently associated with follow-up mortality before (hazard ratio [HR], 2.53; 95% CI, 1.44-4.43; P = .001) and after PSM (HR, 3.11; 95% CI, 1.35-7.15; P = .008). The relationship between LRBP and follow-up reintervention or stroke were not significant (P > .05 for both). Elevated NLR was an independent indicator for in-hospital and follow-up mortality in patients with TBAD undergoing TEVAR; this might provide additional risk stratification.

Preliminary results of spot-stent grafting in Stanford type B aortic dissection and intramural haematoma

OBJECTIVES

METHODS

Patients undergoing thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for acute/subacute aortic dissection Stanford type B/intramural haematoma Stanford type B between 1997 and 2018 were identified from a prospectively maintained institutional database. In a total of 183 cases, 22 patients (7 women; median age 62 years; range 35–79 years) received SSG. The primary study end point was technical success. The primary morphological end point was false lumen thrombosis/aortic remodelling. Secondary end points were TEVAR-related mortality/morbidity and reinterventions. The median follow-up was 28.5 months (5 days–15.6 years).

RESULTS

The primary technical success rate was 100% (22/22). During follow-up, false lumen thrombosis was seen in 21 patients (95.5%) at a median of 6 days (0 days to 2.7 years) after the index procedure (limited/extended false lumen thrombosis: n = 9 vs 12). Aortic remodelling was achieved in 15 of 22 patients (68.2%) at a median of 360 days (3 days to 7.2 years). Limited/extended remodelling was observed in 8/15 and 7/15, respectively. Retrograde dissection or stent graft-induced new entry was not observed. No stroke or spinal cord injury occurred. Reinterventions were performed in 4/22 cases. The in-hospital mortality and 30-day mortality were 0%. Overall mortality during the follow-up period was 22.7% (5/22).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows favourable technical and morphological results for SSG in selected patients with acute/subacute aortic dissection Stanford type B/intramural haematoma Stanford type B. Patient allocation to SSG remains individual. Prospective large-scale long-term data may allow refinement of the application.