Emergent endovascular interventions for contained rupture of thoracic aortic aneurysms.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of our study was to assess in an emergency setting the feasibility of endovascular stent graft treatment of contained ruptures of thoracic aortic aneurysms.


METHODS
Seven patients with contained ruptures of thoracic aortic aneurysms from a series of 54 endovascular interventions were treated by the deployment of an aortic stent graft. In all cases, hemothorax was present. Acute deployment was performed with the patient under general anesthesia, and access was gained via the common femoral or iliac arteries. After a follow-up o f 12 months, the patients were evaluated by computed tomography.


RESULTS
One patient died perioperatively. The procedure was technically successful in 5 patients. Perioperatively and at follow-up, there were no cases of paraplegia, stent graft migration, or endoleaks. There were, however, 2 cases of access failure, 1 case of temporary renal failure, and 2 patients who required prolonged mechanical ventilation.


CONCLUSIONS
The acute treatment of contained ruptures of thoracic aortic aneurysms is feasible. This form of treatment seems to be a promising option in the treatment of these high-risk patients.
Doss
Mirko
M
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt/Main, Frankfurt/Main, Germany. mirkodoss@aol.com
Balzer
Jorn
J
Martens
Sven
S
Fieguth
Hans-Gerd
HG
Vogl
Thomas
T
Moritz
Anton
A
Wimmer-Greinecker
Gerhard
G
D000368:Aged; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods; D004630:Emergencies; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D015607:Stents