[Endovascular treatment of 4 patients with a traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta].
OBJECTIVE
To present our initial results with the endovascular treatment of traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta.


METHODS
Retrospective.


METHODS
Between April and October, 2002, 4 men between the ages of 22 and 46 were treated endovascularly for a traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta. The diagnosis 'rupture of the thoracic aorta' was made on the basis of CT-angiography in all cases. In the first case, a thoracic Gore TAG-endoprosthesis (Gore & Associates; Den Bosch) was used, and in 3 cases a Talent-endoprosthesis (Medtronic AVG; Heerlen).


RESULTS
There was an average of 2.5 days (limits: 0-5 days) between admission and the placement of the endoprosthesis. There was one intra-operative complication in the form of a dissection of the right femoral artery when the endoprosthesis was inserted. In 3 cases, the left subclavian artery was occluded by the prosthesis. This had no negative consequences for the patients during the follow-up period (limits: 4-12 months). The CT-angiogram taken 3 months after the operation consistently showed a good position of the endoprosthesis with no signs of leakage.


CONCLUSIONS
For a limited follow-up period, the endovascular treatment of a traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta has been shown to be safe and effective. The long term results must be awaited.
Dinkelman
M K
MK
Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht, afd. Chirurgie, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht.
Leenen
L P
LP
Verhagen
H J
HJ
Blankensteijn
J D
JD
D000328:Adult; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000601:surgery*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome