Endovascular repair of traumatic aortic injury: a novel arena in interventional cardiology.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of endovascular repair of traumatic aortic injuries performed by interventional cardiologists in collaboration with cardiothoracic surgeons.

Background: Traumatic aortic injury (TAI) represents a significant cause of mortality in trauma patients. Endovascular techniques have recently come into play for the management of TAI and are usually performed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of a thoracic or vascular surgeon and/or interventional radiology. With extensive expertise in catheter-based interventions, interventional cardiologists may have a pivotal role in this important procedure.

Methods: From January 2009 to July 2011, we reviewed the TAI endovascular repair outcomes performed by a team of interventional cardiologists in collaboration with cardiothoracic surgery at our institution. The charts of these patients were reviewed to collect desired data, which included preoperative, procedural, and follow-up details.

Results: Twenty patients were identified in our series. Most of these patients developed TAI from motor vehicle accidents. Technical success for endovascular repair of TAI was achieved in all patients. Two patients developed endoleak, of which one patient required subsequent open repair. Two patients expired in the hospital from coexistent injuries.

Conclusions: Our series of endovascular repair for TAI performed by interventional cardiologists with the collaboration of cardiothoracic surgeons showed excellent outcomes. Our experience may give further insight in the collaborative role of interventional cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery for endovascular repair of TAI.