Morphologic Outcome after Endovascular Treatment of Complicated Type B Aortic Dissection

PurposeTo investigate the long-term morphologic changes of the aorta after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for acute complicated type B aortic dissection and to analyze whether these changes differed between DeBakey class IIIa and IIIb dissections.Materials and MethodsDuring the period 1999–2009, 58 patients with acute complicated type B aortic dissection were treated with TEVAR. Seven patients lacked follow-up data, leaving 51 patients—17 patients with DeBakey IIIa aortic dissection and 34 patients with DeBakey IIIa aortic dissection IIIb—for inclusion in the study. Computed tomography scans performed before and after TEVAR were evaluated. Maximum thoracic and abdominal aortic diameters and diameters of the true lumen and false lumen at the level of the maximum aortic diameter in the thorax and abdomen were analyzed as well as degree of thrombosis of the false lumen.ResultsThere was an overall significant reduction of the thoracic aortic diameter, increased true lumen diameter, and reduced false lumen diameter (P < .05). Total thrombosis of the false lumen, with or without reintervention, was seen in 53% of all patients, in 41% primarily and in 12% after reintervention. The IIIa group had a higher degree of total false lumen thrombosis. All patients in the IIIb group had total thrombosis of the false lumen along the stent graft.ConclusionsLong-term follow-up showed favorable aortic remodeling after TEVAR for acute complicated type B aortic dissection. Total thrombosis of the false lumen occurred more often in patients with DeBakey IIIa aortic dissection compared with patients with DeBakey IIIb aortic dissection.     

Comparative Outcome Analysis of N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate Embolization of the False Lumen Versus Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair in Aortic Dissection

PurposeTo evaluate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) embolization for the treatment of aortic dissection.Materials and MethodsIn this single-center retrospective study conducted from February 2003 to June 2019, NBCA embolization of an aortic false lumen was attempted in 12 patients (median age, 59 y; range, 41–68 y) and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) was performed in 53 patients (median age, 59 y; range, 37–70 y) for aortic dissection with one or more indications of persisting pain, malperfusion, rupture or impending rupture, maximal aortic diameter ≥ 55 mm, and/or rapid aortic enlargement. The main exclusion criterion for embolization was the presence of fast blood flow in the aortic false lumen on aortography. The efficacy of NBCA embolization and TEVAR was compared by evaluating technical and clinical outcomes, repeat intervention–free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS).ResultsTechnical success was achieved in 11 of the 12 patients treated with NBCA embolization (91.7%), and clinical success was achieved in 9 of these 11 (81.8%). No significant difference was found between embolization and TEVAR in clinical success rates (embolization, 81.8%; TEVAR, 84.9%; P = .409) or procedure-related complications (embolization, 1 patient [8.3%]; TEVAR, 4 patients [7.5%]; P = .701). In addition, embolization showed comparable 5-y RFS (embolization, 82.5% ± 9.3; TEVAR, 85.5% ± 4.8; P = .641) and 5-y OS (embolization, 100%; TEVAR, 95.4% ± 3.2; P = .744) rates to TEVAR.ConclusionsNBCA embolization of the false lumen in aortic dissection seems to be a safe and effective treatment modality for the closure of false lumen in selected patients.     

Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Type B Aortic Dissection Associated with Retrograde Type A Intramural Hematoma

PurposeTo evaluate feasibility and efficacy of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for type B aortic dissection (TBAD) associated with retrograde type A intramural hematoma (IMH).Materials and MethodsFrom April 2013 to January 2017, 15 consecutive patients with TBAD associated with retrograde type A IMH who underwent TEVAR were reviewed retrospectively. There was no cardiac tamponade, aortic regurgitation, involvement of coronary artery, or sign of cerebral ischemia in these patients. Enhanced CT was used in 4 patients to diagnose malperfusion of abdominal visceral arteries or lower extremity artery and underwent emergent TEVAR. For the remaining 11 patients, repeated enhanced CT after initial medical treatment within 24 hours from onset of pain showed expansion of IMH in 8 patients or presence of periaortic hematoma in 3 patients. Delayed TEVAR was scheduled for these cases.ResultsSuccessful deployment of the stent graft was achieved in all patients. There were no severe postoperative complications, such as retrograde type A aortic dissection or aortic rupture. Sudden death occurred in 1 patient 3 months after the procedure. Thrombosis of the false lumen, shrinkage of the diameter of the aorta, and complete absorption of the IMH were observed in the remaining patients at a mean follow-up of 19.8 months ± 6.57.ConclusionsTEVAR for treatment of TBAD with retrograde type A IMH is feasible and effective. It represents a treatment option for patients with TBAD associated with type A IMH with a proximal entry tear located in the descending aorta.     

Outcomes of Endovascular Management for Complicated Chronic Type B Aortic Dissection: Effect of the Extent of Stent Graft Coverage and Anatomic Properties of Aortic Dissection

PurposeTo assess the effect of the extent of stent graft coverage and anatomic properties of aortic dissection on the outcomes of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for complicated chronic type B aortic dissection (CCBAD) in terms of survival, reintervention, and false lumen thrombosis.Materials and MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed of 71 patients who underwent TEVAR for CCBAD. Mean patient age was 54.7 years. Distal extent of stent graft coverage was categorized as short (≤ T7) or long (≥ T8) coverage. Indications of reintervention were categorized into three groups: proximal, alongside, and distal according to the anatomic relationship of the culprit lesion and the stent graft. Overall survival, reintervention-free survival, and extent of false lumen thrombosis were compared.ResultsThe technical success rate was 97.2%. The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year overall survival rates were 97.1%, 88.9%, and 88.9%, and 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year reintervention-free survival rates were 80.7%, 73.8%, and 60.6%. There were no differences in overall survival, reintervention-free survival rates, and extent of false lumen thrombosis between the groups. In the short coverage group, distal reintervention was more frequent in patients with an abdominal aortic diameter ≥ 37 mm compared with patients with an abdominal aortic diameter < 37 mm (P = .005).ConclusionsTEVAR was effective for CCBAD with a high technical success rate and low mortality. The extent of stent graft coverage did not make a difference in terms of survival and false lumen thrombosis. Reinterventions were more frequently performed in patients with a large baseline abdominal aortic diameter who were treated with short stent graft coverage, and so longer coverage is recommended in such patients.     

Dynamic Indicators That Impact the Outcomes of Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair in Complicated Type B Aortic Dissection

PurposeTo investigate dynamic variables obtained from retrospective computed tomography angiography for ability to predict thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) outcomes in patients with complicated type B aortic dissection (cTBAD).Materials and MethodsSeventy-nine patients with cTBAD who received TEVAR from March 2009 to June 2018 were retrospectively enrolled. Relative true lumen area (r-TLA) was computed at the level of tracheal bifurcation every 5% of all R-R intervals. Parameters that reflect the state of intimal motion were evaluated, including difference between maximum and minimum r-TLA (D-TLA) and true lumen collapse. The endpoints comprised early (≤ 30 days) and late (> 30 days) outcomes after intervention.ResultsOverall early mortality rate was 13.9% (11/79), and early adverse events rate was 24.1% (19/79). Patients who received TEVAR within 2 days of symptom onset demonstrated the worst outcomes. A longer time of r-TLA < 25% in 1 cardiac cycle (P = .049) and larger D-TLA (P < .001) were correlated to an increased early death. In addition, D-TLA was an independent predictor of early mortality. Area under the curve of D-TLA was 0.849 (95% confidence interval 0.730–0.967) for predicting early mortality and 0.742 (95% CI 0.611–0.873) for predicting early adverse events. Survival and event-free survival rates during follow-up were decreased in the D-TLA > 21.5% group compared with the D-TLA ≤ 21.5% group (all P < .001).ConclusionsLarger D-TLA is correlated with worse postoperative outcomes and might be a crucial parameter for future risk stratification in patients with cTBAD.     

False Lumen Stent-Grafts for Repair of Postdissection Aortic Aneurysms

PurposeTo evaluate the safety and efficacy of false lumen (FL) stent-grafts in the treatment of postdissection aortic aneurysms.Materials and MethodsEleven patients who underwent endovascular repair using FL stent-grafts from January 2016 to June 2019 were included. Among them, 2 patients had a prior history of type A aortic dissection, whereas 9 had undergone a prior endovascular repair for type B aortic dissection. Computed tomography angiography was performed to evaluate the reintervention and technical success rate, aortic remodeling, and other related aortic complications.ResultsThe mean age of patients was 55.6 ± 10.4 years. Technical success was achieved in all patients, and neither early mortality nor paralysis occurred. In total, 8 visceral branch arteries originating from the FL were reconstructed. The true lumen areas at the celiac axis, superior mesenteric artery, renal artery, and abdominal aortic bifurcation were significantly increased from 230.1 mm² to 312.3 mm², 212.1 mm² to 277.5 mm², 209.1 mm² to 291.6 mm², and 214.4 mm² to 300.6 mm², respectively (P < .05). The total diameter of the aorta at the 4 designated levels was stable or had shrunk in all patients. At a mean follow-up of 18.9 ± 7.6 months, 1 patient received re-intervention owing to iliac stent-graft occlusion. No aortic-related mortality occurred.ConclusionsFL stent-grafts can safely and effectively treat patients with postdissection aortic aneurysms. This strategy can be used to promote thrombosis of the FL and aortic remodeling. A larger sample and an extended follow-up period are needed to produce more conclusive results.     

Midterm Outcomes of Endovascular Repair for Stanford Type B Aortic Dissection with Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery

PurposeTo evaluate the early and midterm outcomes of endovascular repair of Stanford type B aortic dissection (TBAD) with an aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA).Materials and MethodsFrom November 2012 to July 2018, 15 patients (13 male, 2 female) who had TBAD with ARSA underwent total endovascular repair, including thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), left subclavian artery (LSA) chimney technique, LSA fenestration technique, and double chimney technique (LSA chimney and ARSA periscope). The mean age was 55 years. Kommerell diverticulum (KD) occurred in 2 patients, which were covered by means of oversized aortic stents. All patients had preoperative imaging examinations for assessing cerebral blood flow and the dominant vertebral arteries.ResultsAll procedures were completed successfully. There was no in-hospital mortality. The mean procedural time was 98 ± 40 minutes (range 50–190). The mean preoperative diameters of the maximum descending aorta, false lumen, and true lumen in the descending aorta versus postoperative were 37 ± 10 mm (range 28–67), 18 ± 9 mm (range 9–41), and 19 ± 6 mm (range 10–35) versus 34 ± 9 mm (range 25–64), 5 ± 8 mm (range 0–28), and 28 ± 5 mm (range 19–37), respectively. Right upper extremity weakness was observed in 2 patients, which recovered gradually during follow-up. Immediate type Ia endoleak was detected in 1 patient. The mean follow-up time was 33 ± 20 months. During follow-up, no ARSA steal syndrome, spinal cord ischemia, or strokes were not observed.ConclusionsEndovascular treatment for TBAD with ARSA was feasible and safe with a satisfactory midterm follow-up outcome.     

Treatment of Acute Aortic Type B Dissection with Stent-Grafts

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of endoluminal stent-grafts in the treatment of acute type B aortic dissections. Methods: In five patients with acute aortic type B dissections, sealing of the primary intimal tear with an endoluminal stent-graft was attempted. Indication for treatment was aneurysm formation in two patients and persistent pain in three patients. One of the latter also had an unstable dissection flap compromising the ostium of the superior mesenteric artery. The distance from the intimal tear to the left subclavian artery was <0.5 cm in four patients, who had typical type B dissections. In one patient with an atypical dissection the distance from the primary tear to the left subclavian artery was 4 cm. This patient had no re-entry tear. Talent tube grafts (World Medical Manufacturing Cooperation, Sunrise, FL, USA) were used in all patients. Results: Stent-graft insertion with sealing of the primary tear was successful in all patients. The proximal covered portion of the stent-graft was placed across the left subclavian artery in four patients (1× transposition of the left subclavian artery). Left arm perfusion was preserved via a subclavian steal phenomenon in the patients in whom the stent-graft covered the orifice of the left subclavian artery. The only procedural complication we observed was an asymptomatic segmental renal infarction in one patient. In the thoracic aorta thrombosis of the false aortic lumen occurred in all patients. In one patient the false lumen of the abdominal aorta thrombosed after 4 weeks; in the other three patients the status of the abdominal aorta remained unchanged compared with the situation prior to stent-graft insertion. As a late complication formation of a secondary aneurysm of the thoracic aorta was observed at the distal end of the stent-graft 3 months after the primary intervention. This aneurysm was treated by coaxial insertion of an additional stent-graft without complications. Conclusion: Endoluminal treatment of acute type B aortic dissections seems to be an attractive alternative treatment to surgical repair. Thrombosis of the false lumen of the thoracic aorta can be induced if the primary tear is sealed with a stent-graft. This could protect the dissected thoracic aorta from delayed rupture.     

Risk Factors for Access-Related Adverse Events Related to the Preclose Technique in Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair

PurposeTo analyze the risk factors for access-related adverse events (AEs) of the preclose technique in thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR).Materials and MethodsNinety-one patients with Stanford type B aortic dissection who underwent the preclose technique in TEVAR between January 2013 and December 2021 were included. According to the occurrence of access-related AEs, the patients were divided into 2 groups: those with AE and those without AE. Age, sex, combined diseases, body mass index, skin depth, femoral artery diameter, access calcification, iliofemoral artery tortuosity, and sheath size were recorded for risk factor analysis. The sheath–to–femoral artery ratio (SFAR), the ratio of the femoral artery inner diameter (in millimeters) to the sheath’s outer diameter (in millimeters), was also included in the analysis.ResultsSFAR was identified as an independent risk factor for AEs using multivariable logistic analysis (odds ratio, 251.748; 95% CI, 7.004–9,048.534; P = .002). The cutoff value of SFAR was 0.85 and was related to a higher incidence of access-related AEs (5.2% vs 33.3%, P = .001), especially to a higher stenosis rate (0.0% vs 21.2%, P = .001).ConclusionsSFAR is an independent risk factor for access-related AEs of preclose in TEVAR with a cutoff value of 0.85. SFAR could be a new criterion for preoperative access evaluation in high-risk patients that may allow the detection and treatment of access-related AEs at the early stage.     

Endovascular Outcomes in Aortic Arch Repair with Double and Triple Parallel Stent Grafts

PurposeTo report early and midterm outcomes of treating thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) and aortic dissection (AD) involving zone 1 and zone 0 with multiple parallel stent grafts (PSGs).Materials and MethodsFrom February 2011 to August 2018, 31 of 1,806 patients (1.7%) who underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with double PSGs (DPSGs) (n = 20) or triple PSGs (TPSGs) (n = 11) were retrospectively reviewed. Procedures were performed in high-risk patients who had TAA or AD involving zone 1 or zone 0.ResultsFifteen patients (48.4%) who presented with symptomatic or impending rupture underwent urgent or emergent TEVAR with DPSGs or TPSGs. Nineteen patients (61.3%) were treated for zone 0 disease. Technical and clinical success rates were 70.0% for DPSG cohort and 45.5% for TPSG cohort. Intraoperative type Ia endoleak was observed in 30% of DPSG cohort and 45.5% of TPSG cohort. One patient in the DPSG cohort died of aortic sinus rupture intraoperatively. Minor stroke during the 30-day postoperative period was more frequent in the TPSG cohort (P = .042). Mean duration of follow-up was 28.9 months ± 17.7. The TPSG cohort had a higher incidence of major adverse events (72.7% vs 25.0%, P = .021). The most common adverse events were endoleaks (12.9%), endograft migration (9.7%), PSG stenosis or occlusion (6.5%), retrograde dissection (6.5%), and stroke (3.2%). Endograft migrations were more common in TPSG cohort (27.3%, P = .037). Overall mortality rate was 16.1% (5/31) perioperatively and during follow-up. There were no statistical differences in overall survival and reintervention-free survival.ConclusionsIn the context of TEVAR with multiple PSGs for aortic arch repair, TPSGs may have a high risk of major complications.     

Imaging Follow-up of Endovascular Repair of Type B Aortic Dissection with Dual-Source,Dual-Energy CT and Late Delayed-Phase Scans

PurposeTo evaluate the diagnostic performance of dual-energy (DE) computed tomography (CT) after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) of type B dissection, and to investigate the value of late delayed (LD) acquisition in endoleak detection and false lumen patency assessment.Materials and MethodsTwenty-four patients with TEVAR for type B dissection underwent 53 tripe-phase CT examinations. Single-source unenhanced acquisition was followed by single-source arterial-phase and DE LD phase (300-s delay) imaging. Virtual noncontrast images were generated from DE acquisition. Two blinded radiologists retrospectively evaluated the cases in three reading sessions: session A (triphasic protocol), session B (virtual noncontrast and arterial phase), and session C (virtual noncontrast and arterial and LD phases). Endoleak detection accuracy during sessions B and C compared with session A (reference standard) was investigated. False lumen patency was assessed. Effective radiation dose was calculated.ResultsSession A revealed 37 endoleaks in 30 of 53 studies (56.6%). Session B revealed 31 of the 37 endoleaks, with one false-positive case, 83.8% sensitivity, 95.8% specificity, 79.3% negative predictive value, and 96.9% positive predictive value. Session C correctly depicted all 37 endoleaks, with one false-positive case, 100% sensitivity, 95.8% specificity, 100% negative predictive value, and 97.4% positive predictive value. Underestimation of false lumen patency was found in session B (P = .013). Virtual noncontrast imaging resulted in 17% radiation exposure reduction.ConclusionsVirtual noncontrast imaging can replace standard unenhanced images in follow-up after TEVAR of type B dissection, thus reducing radiation dose. Delayed-phase imaging is valuable in low-flow endoleaks detection and false lumen patency assessment.     

“Cheese Wire” Fenestration of Dissection Intimal Flap to Facilitate Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair in Chronic Dissection

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for aneurysmal chronic dissection is often complicated by retrograde filling of the false lumen and dissected distal landing zone. A “cheese wire”-style fenestration of the dissection intimal flap can create a landing zone facilitating TEVAR. This technique successfully aided TEVAR in 3 patients with an average age of 57.3 years. Complications included type III endoleak requiring relining and renal artery occlusion requiring stent placement. Average duration of clinical follow-up was 19 ± 4 months. Imaging follow-up was 8 ± 10 months. All patients have survived for more than 1 year without aneurysm enlargement.     

Parallel Covered Stents Technique in the Treatment of Abdominal Aortic Diseases

PurposeTo investigate the safety and efficacy of the parallel covered stents technique in the treatment of anatomically challenging aortic aneurysms, pseudoaneurysms, and dissections.Materials and MethodsData were retrospectively collected from 16 patients with abdominal aortic diseases who were treated with parallel covered stents (Gore Excluder, n = 14; Medtronic Endurant, n = 2) between January 2016 and July 2018. Patients were treated with this technique if they were unsuitable for either open repair or standard endovascular aortic repair with bifurcated stents. Such unfavorable anatomy included narrow aortic necks (≤18 mm), small vascular access (occluded or ≤6.0 mm), or compressed aortic lumens (≤18 mm). All patients were male, with a mean age of 64.7 ± 13.3 years. For true aneurysms (n = 4) and pseudoaneurysms (n = 4), the mean diameter and length of the proximal necks were 17.5 ± 2.6 mm (range, 14–21 mm) and 51.0 ± 12.5 mm (range, 39–75 mm), respectively. The minimal diameter of true lumen in cases with aortic dissection and penetrating ulcers (n = 8) was 14.8 ± 3.1 mm. Small or occluded femoral access was found in 3 patients.ResultsTechnical success was 100%. Minor type I endoleaks, which were seen on completion angiography in 5 patients, had all resolved within 3 months. There were no perioperative deaths. Postoperative complications included supraventricular tachycardia in 1 patient and pneumonia combined with heart failure in 1 patient. Patency of all stents was observed at a mean follow-up of 21.8 ± 10.1 months.ConclusionsThe parallel covered stents technique appears to offer a feasible solution for abdominal aortic diseases with unfavorable anatomy. Long-term follow-up is needed to further evaluate the safety and efficacy of this technique.     

Aortic dissection: atypical patterns seen at MR imaging

Aortic dissection is typically manifested by an intimal flap separating true and false lumens. Atypical patterns lacking an intimal flap can occur, however, and are less well recognized. In this study, the authors review their experience with atypical patterns at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. They evaluated the T1-weighted and gradient-echo MR images of the entire aorta in 64 patients with aortic dissection. In nine patients (14%) aortic wall thickening was the only sign of dissection in the thorax. In three of these cases, an intimal flap was found in the abdominal aorta; the other six patients had no flap in any region of the aorta, and this led to false-negative angiographic results in three cases. Aortic wall thickening as an atypical sign of dissection was seen more frequently in acute (29%) than in chronic (7%) dissection and was seen in only patients without Marfan syndrome. Two patients with atypical acute dissection at initial examination developed a clearly identifiable intimal flap at follow-up. Aortic wall thickening may represent the only sign of aortic dissection. In some cases, imaging the entire aorta can enable recognition of dissection in atypical cases.     

Aortic dissection: magnetic resonance imaging

Fifteen patients with suspected or known aortic dissection were imaged with magnetic resonance (MR). Thirteen of these patients were eventually shown to have dissection. In most instances the diagnosis was established by aortography and/or computed tomography (CT) prior to the MR study. Surgical proof (6/13) and/or aortographic proof (10/13) were available in 11/13 patients with aortic dissection. MR demonstrated the intimal flap and determined whether the dissection was type A or type B. In addition, MR: differentiated between the true and false lumens; determined the origins of the celiac, superior mesenteric, and renal arteries from the true or false lumen in the cases where the dissection extended into the abdominal aorta (8/12); allowed post-surgical surveillance of the dissection; and identified aortoannular ectasia in the three patients who had Marfan syndrome. In addition to the 13 cases with dissection, there were two cases in whom the diagnosis of dissection was excluded by MR. Our early experience suggests that MR can serve as the initial imaging test in clinically suspected cases of aortic dissection and that the information provided by MR is sufficient to manage many cases. Additionally, MR obviates the use of iodinated contrast media.     

Time-resolved CT angiography in aortic dissection

Objectives

We performed this study to assess feasibility and additional diagnostic value of time-resolved CT angiography of the entire aorta in patients with aortic dissection.

Materials and methods

14 consecutive patients with known or suspected aortic dissection (aged 60 ± 9 years) referred for aortic CT angiography were scanned on a dual-source CT scanner (Somatom Definition Flash; Siemens, Forchheim, Germany) using a shuttle mode for multiphasic image acquisition (range 48 cm, time resolution 6 s, 6 phases, 100 kV, 110 mAs/rot). Effective radiation doses were calculated from recorded dose length products. For all phases, CT densities were measured in the aortic lumen and renal parenchyma. From the multiphasic data, 3 phases corresponding to a triphasic standard CT protocol, served as a reference and were compared against findings from the time-resolved datasets.

Results

Mean effective radiation dose was 27.7 ± 3.5 mSv. CT density of the true lumen peaked at 355 ± 53 HU. Compared to the simulated triphasic protocol, time-resolved CT angiography added diagnostic information regarding a number of important findings: the enhancement delay between true and false lumen (n = 14); the degree of membrane oscillation (n = 14); the perfusion delay in arteries originating from the false lumen (n = 9). Other additional information included true lumen collapse (n = 4), quantitative assessment of renal perfusion asymmetry (n = 2), and dynamic occlusion of aortic branches (n = 2). In 3/14 patients (21%), these additional findings of the multiphasic protocol altered patient management.

Conclusions

Multiphasic, time-resolved CT angiography covering the entire aorta is feasible at a reasonable effective radiation dose and adds significant diagnostic information with therapeutic consequences in patients with aortic dissection.     

CT follow-up of medically treated type-B aortic dissection: a case report

The fate of the false lument of a type-B aortic dissection was studied using computed tomography (CT) in a 64-year-old woman with hypertension. The CT follow-up showed the disappearance of the false lumen in the thoracic aorta, shrinkage and thrombosis of the false channel in the proximal abdominal aorta (in these sections no major vesel arose from the false lumen), and persistence of the false lumen in the distal abdominal aorta, where the right common iliac artery arose from the false lumen. Such different findings at the various levels of dissection have not been described previously, and confirm the presumption that the fate of dissection depends on the blood flow in the false channel. Correspondence to: M. Heman     

85例Stanford B型主动脉夹层腔内修复治疗体会

目的 探讨胸主动脉腔内修复术(TEVAR)治疗Stanford B型主动脉夹层(AD)方法与疗效.方法 回顾性分析2010年1月至2016年4月采用TEVAR治疗的85例Stanford B型AD患者临床资料.85例患者均常规行左肱动脉穿刺,右侧股动脉直切口,升主动脉DSA造影明确AD破口位置、真假腔及与重要器官血管开口位置关系;置入覆膜血管内支架,封堵原发破口,升主动脉造影复查观察近端破口封闭情况及主动脉弓部分支血管、真假腔血流变化情况.结果 84例患者TEVAR手术成功,成功率100％;1例术前麻醉过程中突发AD破裂死亡.9例部分覆盖左锁骨下动脉,1例左锁骨下动脉“烟囱”支架完全封闭左颈总动脉和左锁骨下动脉,2例行无名动脉至左颈总动脉和左锁骨下动脉转流.Ⅰ型内漏2例,无住院期间死亡.术后随访3个月至3年,患者均存活,远端再发新破口2例.结论 TEVAR术治疗Stanford B型AD安全有效,严格把握手术指征、术中精细操作及加强术后院外管理是手术成功、提高远期生存率关键.     

腔内修复术治疗Stanford B型主动脉夹层:单中心长期疗效分析

目的探讨胸主动脉腔内修复术(TEVAR)治疗Stanford B型主动脉夹层的长期疗效。方法回顾性搜集300例行TEVAR治疗的Stanford B型主动脉夹层患者的临床及影像学资料,分析患者短期(在院/术后30天)及长期死亡率、并发症发生率及主动脉重塑情况。结果技术成功率100%。左锁骨下动脉完全覆盖29例,烟囱支架重建左锁骨下动脉11例,烟囱支架重建左颈总动脉7例。患者在院/术后30天死亡率0.7%(2/300),并发症发生率14%(42/300)。中位随访时间35个月(6~126个月)。1、3、5年累积全因死亡率分别为2.0%、6.7%、12.8%,主动脉夹层相关死亡率分别为1.7%、4.5%、8.4%;晚期并发症发生率14.7%(44/300),胸主动脉段假腔完全血栓化率83.7%(251/300)。结论应用覆膜血管内支架行TEVAR是治疗Stanford B型夹层安全有效的方法,长期疗效令人满意。     

Endograft Collapse After Endovascular Treatment for Thoracic Aortic Disease

Endovascular treatment is an established therapy for thoracic aortic disease. Collapse of the endograft is a potentially fatal complication. We reviewed 16 patients with a thoracic endograft between 2001 and 2006. Medical records of the treated patients were studied. Data collected include age, gender, diagnosis, indication for endoluminal treatment, type of endograft, and time of follow up. All patients (n = 16; mean age, 61 years; range, 21–82 years) underwent computed tomography (CT) for location of the lesion and planning of the intervention. Time of follow-up with CT scan ranged from 1 to 61 months. Indications for endovascular treatment were degenerative aneurysm (n = 7; 44%), aortic dissection (n = 2; 12%), perforated aortic ulcer (n = 4; 25%), and traumatic aortic injury (n = 3; 19%). Three patients suffered from a collapse of the endograft (one patient distal, two patients proximal) between 3 and 8 days after endovascular treatment. These patients were younger (mean age, 37 ± 25 years vs. 67 ± 16 years; P < 0.05) and showed more oversizing (proximal, 36 ± 19.8% vs. 29 ± 20.7% [P > 0.05]; distal, 45 ± 23.5% vs. 38 ± 21.7% [P > 0.05]). Proximal collapse was corrected by placing a bare stent. In conclusion, risk factors for stent-graft collapse are a small lumen of the aorta and a small radius of the aortic arch curvature (young patients), as well as oversizing, which is an important risk factor and is described for different types of endografts and protheses (Gore TAG and Cook Zenith). Dilatation of the collapsed stent-graft is not sufficient. Following therapy implantation of a second stent or surgery is necessary in patients with a proximal endograft collapse. Distal endograft collapse can possibly be treated conservatively under close follow-up.