Endograft exclusion of acute and chronic descending thoracic aortic dissections.

Objectives: To analyze the results of endograft exclusion of acute and chronic descending thoracic aortic dissections (Stanford type B) with the AneuRx (n = 5) and Talent (n = 37) thoracic devices and to compare postoperative outcomes of endograft placement acutely (<2 weeks) and for chronic interventions.

Methods: Patients treated for acute or chronic thoracic aortic dissections (Stanford type B) with endografts were included in this study. All patients (n = 42) were enrolled in investigational device exemption protocols from August 1999 to March 2005. Three-dimensional computed tomography reconstructions were analyzed for quantitative volume regression of the false lumen and changes in the true lumen over time (complete >95%, partial >30%).

Results: Forty-two patients, all of whom had American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) risk stratification > or =III and 71% with ASA > or = IV, were treated for Stanford type B dissections (acute = 25, chronic = 17), with 42 primary and 18 secondary procedures. All proximal entry sites were identified intraoperatively by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). The procedural stroke rate was 6.7% (4/60), with three posterior circulation strokes. Procedural mortality was 6.7% (4/60). The left subclavian artery was occluded in 11 patients (26%) with no complaints of arm ischemia, but there was an association with posterior circulation strokes (2/11) (18%). No postoperative paraplegia was observed after primary or secondary intervention. Complete thrombosis of the false lumen at the level of endograft coverage occurred in 25 (61%) of 41 patients < or =1 month and 15 (88%) of 17 patients at 12 months. Volume regression of the false lumen was 66.4% (acute) and 91.9% (chronic) at 6 months. Lack of true lumen volume (contrast) increase and increasing false lumen volume (contrast) suggests continued false lumen pressurization and the need for secondary reintervention. Thirteen patients (31%) required 18 secondary interventions for proximal endoleaks in 6, junctional leaks in 3, continued perfusion of the false lumen from distal re-entry sites in 3, and surgical conversion in 4 for retrograde dissection.

Conclusions: Preliminary experience with endografts to treat acute and chronic dissections is associated with a reduced risk of paraplegia and lower mortality compared with open surgical treatment, the results of medical treatment alone, or a combination.