title: Endovascular repair in management of thoracic aortic aneurysms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Aneurysms of the thoracic aorta are still potentially life-threatening situations. The conventional operation is still associated with morbidity. Endovascular stent graft repair offers an alternative to conventional operation for management of aortic diseases. Our aim was to report our experience with endovascular stent graft repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between November 2002 and October 2005, endovascular stent graft repair was performed in 26 patients: post-traumatic aortic aneurysm (n=4), Type B dissection (n=3) and descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (n=19). The deployed stent graft systems were Talent-Medtronic (n=14) and Excluder-Gore (n=12).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Successful deployment of the stent grafts in the appropriate position was achieved in all patients. There was neither hospital mortality nor paraplegia. Late and non-procedure related death occurred in only one patient (3.8%). An average of 40% shrinkage of the aneurysmal space was observed. There was no early mortality and endoleaks. The median intensive care unit and hospital stay times were 1 and 7 days (range 4-13 days), respectively. Post-operative computed tomography scans were obtained in all patients and complete thrombosis was observed in the false lumen of dissecan aneurysms (n=3) and sac of saccular aneurysms in 25 patients. Mean follow up time was 17.1+/-5.4 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endovascular stent graft treatment for treatment of thoracic aorta aneurysm, Type B dissection and traumatic disease of the thoracic aorta is technically feasible. Although the short and mid-term results are encouraging the long term results will determine the future of this treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, PK 56, 06552, Cankaya, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bingol
authors.forename: Hikmet
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Iyem
authors.forename: Hakki Tankut
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Akay
authors.forename: Bahri
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ustunsoz
authors.forename: Cengiz
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bolcal
authors.forename: Sahin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ugurer
authors.forename: Gokce
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sirin
authors.forename: Ufuk
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Demirkilic
authors.forename: Harun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tatar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000601:surgery; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000601:surgery*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome