Successful Endovascular Therapy for Isolated Abdominal Aortic Dissection Involving Bilateral Common Iliac Arteries

Complicated and Uncomplicated Isolated Abdominal Aortic Dissections Demonstrate Different Patient Characteristics and Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Isolated abdominal aortic dissection (IAAD) is a rare entity with poorly defined risk factors and wide variation in management. We set forth to compare patient characteristics, management, and outcomes of uncomplicated isolated abdominal aortic dissection (uIAAD) versus high risk and complicated isolated abdominal aortic dissection (hrcIAAD) to investigate whether these categories can be utilized to guide IAAD management and provide risk stratification for intervention.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review was performed to identify all patients with spontaneous IAAD at a tertiary health care system between 1996 and 2022. Demographics, comorbidities, factors relating to initial presentation including imaging findings, and dissection outcomes including long-term all-cause mortality and aortic-related mortality from time of dissection to final available record were abstracted. IAAD demonstrating rupture or malperfusion were designated as complicated, those with aortic diameter greater than 4 cm on presentation or refractory pain were designated as high risk, and the remainder was designated as uIAAD. All variables were compared between hrcIAAD and uIAAD using Fisher's exact test, unpaired t-test, and Mann-Whitney U-test as appropriate.

RESULTS

Over the study period, 74 patients presented with spontaneous IAAD (mean age 60 ± 16 years, 61% male) with postdissection follow-up records to an average of 6.8 ± 5.8 years. Of these, 76% presented with uIAAD versus 24% with hrcIAAD. hrcIAAD was diagnosed at a significantly younger age on average than uIAAD (52 ± 14 vs. 62 ± 16 years, P = 0.02), was less likely to present with concomitant hyperlipidemia (0% vs. 41%, P < 0.01), coronary artery disease (6% vs. 47%, P < 0.01), and prior smoking history (39% vs. 72%). hrcIAAD was more likely to present in patients with a genetic aortopathy (27% vs. 7%, P = 0.03). Hypertension was not significantly different between groups. Patients with hrcIAAD were significantly more likely to present with extension into iliac arteries compared to uIAAD (61% vs. 18%, P < 0.01). A much higher proportion of hrcIAAD required hospitalization compared to uIAAD (83% vs. 30%, P < 0.01) and operative intervention (67% vs. 7%, P < 0.01). While there was no significant difference in all-cause mortality between groups, there was a significant difference between aortic-related mortality which only occurred in those with hrcIAAD (28% vs. 0%, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Comparison of long-term outcomes suggests that hrcIAAD is associated with increased hospitalization and need for operative intervention compared to uIAAD. Significant differences in atherosclerotic risk factors and proportions of connective tissue disease history between patients who present with hrcIAAD and uIAAD suggest that differences in underlying etiology are largely responsible for whether IAAD progresses towards rupture or has a more benign course and should be considered in risk stratification to guide more specific and targeted management of IAAD.

Management of isolated dissection of the abdominal aorta: a single-centre experience

OBJECTIVES

Isolated abdominal aortic dissection (IAAD) is a rare disease. Currently, there is no consensus on the management of IAAD. Our goal was to report our experience with the management of IAAD.

METHODS

A cohort of 45 consecutive patients with IAAD was treated between January 2010 and December 2018. We reviewed the demographics, clinical features, therapeutic modalities and follow-up results.

RESULTS

A total of 33 patients had successful endovascular repair (EVAR) and 12 patients underwent conservative treatment initially. During a mean follow-up of 16.6 months, 2 of the patients in the EVAR group had endoleak; neither of them needed reintervention. Complete or partial thrombosis of the false lumens was seen in all patients (88% and 12%) on the latest computed tomographic angiography images, and a significant enlargement of the true lumen and regression of the false lumen and maximal abdominal aortic diameter were observed in all patients (P < 0.001). In the group receiving conservative treatment, 3 patients were lost to follow-up; 1 patient died; 2 patients had small re-entry sites, neither of which needed intervention; 1 patient had EVAR; and the others remain symptom-free. The latest computed tomographic angiography images showed that 1 patient had spontaneous healing with complete thrombosis of the false lumen, 7 patients had partial thrombosis and the diameter of the maximal abdominal aortic and false lumen remained stable or was less decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with IAAD, close surveillance is necessary. In addition, EVAR is an effective therapeutic method with a high technical success rate and low complication rate for carefully selected patients.