title: A comparison of open and endovascular descending thoracic aortic repair in patients older than 75 years of age.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thoracic aortic endovascular repair (TEVAR) holds great promise in the elderly population. We conducted a concurrent comparison of TEVAR with open descending thoracic aneurysm repair (DTAR) in elderly patients to determine the more appropriate therapeutic option.
  
  
  METHODS
  Since 1993, 93 patients aged 75 years and older have undergone open (n = 41) or endovascular (n = 52) descending aortic repair. Intervention indications included aneurysms, dissection, or traumatic injury. Mean maximum aortic diameter was 6.1 cm. Contained rupture was more frequent in TEVAR (p = 0.005); 52 needed arch repair, and 46 needed total descending repair.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age was 78.9 years (TEVAR, 80.6 vs DTAR, 76.9; p < 0.0001). The TEVAR patients had more significant comorbidities; 42 (80.8%) were prospectively identified as nonoperative candidates. Thirty-day mortality was higher in DTAR at 7 (17.1%) vs TEVAR at 3 (5.7%, p = 0.1). The composite end point of 30-day death, stroke, permanent paralysis, or dialysis requirement was similar (TEVAR, 9; DTAR, 10; p = 0.45). Median postoperative length of stay was shorter in TEVAR (6 days) vs DTAR (13 days; p = 0.003). Endoleaks were observed in 12. Actuarial survival at 48 months was similar (mean survival: TEVAR, 30.2 months vs DTAR, 33.7 months; p = 0.49).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite more complex preoperative comorbidities, the TEVAR group had shorter hospitalization, a trend towards a reduction in early mortality, and similar late outcomes. This comparative analysis suggests that thoracic endovascular repair may be a more suitable therapeutic option in this complex elderly group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Hospitals, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. hjpatel@med.umich.edu
authors.forename: Himanshu J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Gilbert R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Upchurch
authors.forename: Narasimham L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Dasika
authors.forename: Mary C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Passow
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Prager
authors.forename: G Michael
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Deeb
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D017130:Angioplasty; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020521:Stroke / Q000401:mortality; D013908:Thoracotomy