title: Endovascular repair for acute traumatic transection of the descending thoracic aorta: experience of a single centre with a 12-years follow up.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Most blunt aortic injuries occur in the proximal proximal descending aorta causing acute transection of this vessel. Generally, surgical repair of the ruptured segment of aorta is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality and in this view endovascular treatment seems to be a valid and safer alternative. Aim of this article is to review our experience with endovascular approach for the treatment of acute traumatic rupture of descending thoracic aorta.
  
  
  METHODS
  From April 2002 to November 2014, 11 patients (9 males and 2 females) were referred to our Department with a diagnosis of acute transection of thoracic aorta. Following preoperative Computed Tomography (CT) evaluation, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with left subclavian artery coverage was performed. Follow-up consisted clinical and instrumental (CT, Duplex ultrasound) controls at discharge, 1, 3 and 6 months and yearly thereafter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 12-year follow up, the overall survival for the entire patients cohort was 100 %, no major or minor neurological complications and no episode of left arm claudication occurred. Cardiovascular, respiratory and bleeding complications, in the early period, was represented by minor, non fatal events. No stent graft failure, collapse, leak or distal migration were detected at CT scan during the entire follow up period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to our experience, despite the small number of patient population, TEVAR procedure with with left subclavian artery coverage, performed in emergency settings, seems to provide excellent long term results.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The protocol was registered at a public trials registry, www.clinicaltrials.gov (trial identifier NCT02376998 ).
authors.affiliation: Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology (CIFL). International Research and Educational Program in Clinical and Experimental Biotechnology. Headquarters: University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Catanzaro, 88100, Italy. rserra@unicz.it.|Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Catanzaro, Germaneto, 88100, Italy. rserra@unicz.it.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.affiliation: Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology (CIFL). International Research and Educational Program in Clinical and Experimental Biotechnology. Headquarters: University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Catanzaro, 88100, Italy. defranci@unicz.it.|Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Catanzaro, Germaneto, 88100, Italy. defranci@unicz.it.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: de Franciscis
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Catanzaro, Germaneto, 88100, Italy. raffaele.eia@alice.it.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grande
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Catanzaro, Germaneto, 88100, Italy. lucia.butrico@libero.it.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Butrico
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Catanzaro, Germaneto, 88100, Italy. paolop83@yahoo.it.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Perri
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Catanzaro, Germaneto, 88100, Italy. indolfi@unicz.it.
authors.forename: Ciro
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Indolfi
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Catanzaro, 88100, Italy. mastroroberto@unicz.it.
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mastroroberto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D057772:Vascular System Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery