title: Descending thoracic aortic dissections.
abstract: Type B dissection has traditionally been managed medically if uncomplicated and surgically if associated with complications. This practice has resulted in most centers reporting significant morbidity and mortality if open repair is required. In the setting of malperfusion, operative repair has been conjoined with fenestration or visceral stenting to improve outcomes. Endovascular stent grafts seem to offer an attractive alternative in the acute complicated type B dissection, with reduced mortality and morbidity, particularly paralysis, compared with open repair. It is reasonable to consider endovascular stent grafts as another tool in managing dissection, but to recognize that open surgical repair still plays an important role, and that the data that define indications and outcomes are still emerging.
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic Surgery, Heart and Vascular Institute, Southwest Washington Medical Center, P.O. Box 1600 Vancouver, WA 98668, USA. rkarmyjo@swmedctr.com
authors.forename: Riyad
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Karmy-Jones
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Simeone
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meissner
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Granvall
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nicholls
mesh_terms: D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery*; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome