title: Stent-graft repair of penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers in the descending thoracic aorta: mid-term results.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Localized aortic pathoanatomic abnormalities are good targets for endovascular stent-grafting but only short-term results have been reported. Our objective was to determine the effectiveness of endovascular stent-graft treatment of patients with descending thoracic atherosclerotic penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers (PAU) and to identify risk factors for treatment failure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 1993 and 2000 endovascular repair of PAU with first-generation (custom-fabricated) and second-generation (commercial) stent-grafts was performed in 26 patients (mean age, 70 years), 6 (23%) of whom had rupture. Fourteen patients (54%) were not candidates for open surgical repair. Follow-up was 100% complete (average, 51 months; maximum, 114 months). Outcome variables considered in the multivariable analysis included death and treatment failure (composite end-point comprising early death, endoleak, stent-graft mechanical fault, late aortic event, reintervention, and aortic-related or sudden death).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three patients (12% +/- 7% [+/-70% confidence limits]) died within 30 days and 2 had an early type I endoleak. Primary success rate was 92%. Actuarial survival estimates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 85% +/- 8%, 76% +/- 8% and 70% +/- 10% respectively and actuarial freedom from treatment failure was 81% +/- 8%, 71% +/- 9% and 65% +/- 10%. Multivariable analyses identified previous cerebrovascular accident (hazard ratio [HR] 17.1, p = 0.02) and female sex (HR 7.4, p = 0.08) as independent risk factors for death. For treatment failure the predictors were increasing aortic diameter (HR 1.1 [per mm above the mean value], p = 0.01) and female sex (HR 5.5, p = 0.09).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endovascular stent-graft repair is effective but not curative treatment for selected, high surgical risk, elderly patients with a descending aortic PAU over the medium term. Assiduous serial follow-up imaging after stent-grafting is mandatory to detect late complications especially in those with a large aorta.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305-5247, USA.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Demers
authors.forename: D Craig
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: R Scott
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Stephen T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Kee
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chagonjian
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Dake
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015607:Stents; D013997:Time Factors; D014456:Ulcer / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*