title: Endovascular treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysm: a single-center experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We assess the effectiveness of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in patients with thoracic artery aneurysm with a retrospective analysis of our experience and a review of the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 2005 and December 2011, 53 patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm underwent TEVAR. We evaluated the technical success, periprocedural and long-term mortality and morbidity, and follow-up by enhanced computed tomographic scans at 1, 6, and 12 months and annually thereafter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TEVAR was performed in good general conditions in 62.3% of cases and in emergency conditions in 37.7% of cases. A total of 85 endoprostheses were correctly placed, with technical success of 100%. In 18.8% of cases, a carotid-subclavian bypass was performed; 35.8% of cases required drainage of cerebrospinal fluid. Postoperative mortality was 7.5%, and in all cases patients were treated in emergency regimen. The incidence of major postoperative complications was 9.4%, with 2 cases of paraplegia. At a mean follow-up of 25.6 months, 12 cases (22.6%) of endoleak were observed: 5 cases of type IB endoleak were treated with prosthetic extensions; 7 cases of type II endoleak were not treated. There were no thrombotic occlusions, stent migrations, or fractures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TEVAR represents an effective option in the treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms, with good immediate and long-term results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Maggiore Della Carita Hospital, A. Avogadro University, Novara, Italy.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fossaceca
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guzzardi
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cerini
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Parziale
authors.forename: Carmelo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stanca
authors.forename: Ezio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Micalizzi
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carriero
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D001027:Aortography / Q000379:methods; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D057867:Endoleak / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000209:etiology; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome