title: Endovascular surgery and pathology of the thoracic aorta.
abstract: Although abdominal aortic aneurysms are the most common aortic pathology in the general population, the thoracic aorta is also a frequent site of aneurysms, chronic dissections, transections, and other potentially life-threatening pathologies. Not all of these lesions are amenable to endovascular repair; however, early evidence suggests that endovascular intervention in selected patients has a high rate of acute and midterm success. Indeed, the endovascular procedure reduces operating time and the need for blood transfusions and usually results in shorter intensive care unit and hospital stays compared with open surgery. In addition, overall rehabilitation is comparatively brief. Although these results are encouraging, no outcome data from randomized trials exists, and further study of the long-term efficacy and safety of endoluminal grafting is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Arizona Heart Institute and Arizona Heart Hospital, 2632 North 20th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85006, USA. ediethrich@azheart.com
authors.forename: Edward B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Diethrich
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D001027:Aortography; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome