title: Endovascular repair of aortic rupture due to trauma and aneurysm.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to report a single centre experience with endovascular repair of the ruptured descending thoracic and abdominal aorta.
  
  
  METHODS
  prospective non-randomised study in a university hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  between 1995 and 2000, endovascular treatment was utilised for 231 aortic repairs; in 37 cases (16%) endografting was conducted on an emergency basis for 21 ruptured infrarenal aortic aneurysms, 15 ruptured descending thoracic aortic lesions, and 1 ruptured thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. The feasibility of endovascular treatment and the prostheses' size were determined, based on preoperative spiral CT and intraoperative angiography, both obtained in each patient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  endografting was successfully completed in 35 patients (95%). Primary conversion to open repair was necessary in 2 patients (5%). Postoperative 30-day mortality rate was 11% (4 deaths). No patient developed postoperative temporary or permanent paraplegia. In 2 patients (5%) primary endoleaks required overstenting and in 6 patients (16%) secondary surgical interventions were required. Mean follow-up was 19 months (1-70 months); three deaths occurred within three months postoperatively (1-year survival rate 81+/-6%). In one case, secondary conversion to open repair was necessary 14 months postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  the feasibility of endoluminal repair of the ruptured aorta has been demonstrated. Endoluminal treatment may reduce morbidity and mortality, and may in time become the procedure of choice in certain centres. However, further follow-up is required to determine the long-term efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University of Ulm, Ulm, Sweden.
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Orend
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kotsis
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Scharrer-Pamler
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Kapfer
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Liewald
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Görich
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sunder-Plassmann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001011:Aorta / Q000293:injuries*; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D001027:Aortography; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D015607:Stents; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed