title: [Percutaneous treatment of thoracic aorta diseases. A multidisciplinary approach].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the experience of a multidisciplinary team in the percutaneous treatment of thoracic aorta disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between December 2001 and January 2004, 15 patients were selected for percutaneous treatment at the Thoracic Aorta Unit of the Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias. The motives for stent implantation were: degenerative aneurysm (n=7), acute dissection (n=4), penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer (n=1), posttraumatic aneurysm (n=2) and postsurgery pseudoaneurysm (n=1). Four procedures were considered emergencies. Another two patients underwent prior surgery of the supra-aortic branches. Previous computed tomographic angiography and arteriography were performed, and in complex cases of dissection, magnetic resonance imaging was used. All stent placement procedures were performed in the hemodynamics laboratory. All patients underwent computed tomographic angiography during follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Stent positioning was technically successful in 14 patients. The mean length of aortic coverage was 230 +/- 110 mm (range 110-440 mm). No intraoperative deaths occurred. There was one in-hospital death. Transient postimplantation syndrome was presented in three patients. Two type I endoleaks, one type II endoleak and one thrombosis of the superior mesenteric artery were found on computed tomographic angiography at one month. One type III endoleak and one type II endoleak were found during subsequent follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endovascular stent-grafting is a valid alternative in the treatment of aortic disease in high-risk patients. Coordination between different medical specialties and appropriate selection of patients are needed. Long-term follow-up is necessary to ensure the usefulness and efficacy of the procedure.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain.
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martín
authors.forename: César
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Morís
authors.forename: Iñigo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lozano
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Llaneza
authors.forename: Florentino
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vega
authors.forename: Félix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: Juan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Llosa
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Suárez
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Valle
mesh_terms: D001013:Aorta, Thoracic; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011474:Prosthesis Design