Midterm results after endovascular treatment of acute, complicated type B aortic dissection.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and midterm results of endovascular treatment of acute, complicated type B aortic dissection.


METHODS
Between January 2001 and February 2010, 32 patients (7 women, 25 men) with acute, complicated type B aortic dissection (mean age, 56 years; range, 35 to 83 years), defined as either aortic rupture, malperfusion, intractable pain, or uncontrolled hypertension, underwent endovascular stent graft placement with either the Gore Excluder/TAG device (n = 11), Medtronic Talent/Valiant device (n = 16), Bolton Relay (n = 2), or a combination of these stents (n = 3). Follow-up was 94% complete and averaged 26 ± 23 months.


RESULTS
Technical feasibility and success with deployment proximal to the entry tear was 87%, requiring partial or total coverage of the left subclavian artery (LSA) in 9 patients (28%). Hospital mortality was 12% ± 11% (95% confidence limit) with 2 late deaths (17 and 98 months after implant). Causes of hospital death included rupture in 2, retrograde type A dissection in 1, and multiorgan failure in 1 patient. Three patients (11%) experienced new neurologic complications (2 paraparesis and 1 hemiparesis). Six patients with malperfusion required branch vessel stenting. Furthermore, 2 had an early type Ia endoleak. Actuarial survival at 1 and 5 years was 81% and 76%, respectively. Freedom from treatment failure at 1 and 5 years (including reintervention, aortic rupture, device-related complication, and aortic related death) was 78% and 61%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Endovascular stent-graft placement in acute, complicated type B aortic dissection proves to be a promising alternative therapeutic treatment modality in this relatively difficult patient cohort. Refinements, especially in stent design and application, may further improve the prognosis of patients in this life-threatening situation.
Ehrlich
Marek P
MP
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Division of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. marek.ehrlich@meduniwien.ac.at
Dumfarth
Julia
J
Schoder
Maria
M
Gottardi
Roman
R
Holfeld
Johannes
J
Juraszek
Andrzej
A
Dziodzio
Tomasz
T
Funovics
Martin
M
Loewe
Christian
C
Grimm
Michael
M
Sodeck
Gottfried
G
Czerny
Martin
M
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000601:surgery*; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged