Penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer of the descending thoracic aorta: Treatment by endovascular stent-Graft

Purpose: To present four cases of penetrating ulcer of the descending thoracic aorta treated by transfemoral insertion of an endoluminal stent-graft. Methods: Four patients with penetrating aortic ulcers were reviewed. Three cases were complicated by rupture, false aneurysm, or retrograde dissection. All patients were treated by endovascular stent-graft and were followed by helical computed tomography (CT). Results: Endovascular stent-graft deployment was successful in all patients. However, in one case we observed a perigraft leak that spontaneously disappeared within the first month, and two interventions were needed for another patient. Following treatment, one episode of transient spinal ischemia was observed. The 30-day survival rate was 100%, but one patient died from pneumonia with cardiac failure 34 days after the procedure. In one patient, helical CT performed at 3 months showed a false aneurysm independent of the first ulcer. This patient refused any further treatment and suddenly died at home (unknown cause) after a 6-month follow-up period. Conclusion: Transluminal placement of endovascular stent-grafts for treatment of penetrating ulcers of the descending thoracic aorta appears to be a possible alternative to classical surgery. After treatment, follow-up by CT is essential to detect possible complications of the disease.     

Treatment of Stanford type B aortic dissection with stent-grafts: preliminary results

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of endovascular stent-graft placement in treating Stanford type B aortic dissection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven patients underwent endovascular stent-graft placement for type B aortic dissection. Five patients had acute and two had chronic dissection. In five patients, the proximal entry tear was within 2 cm of the origin of the left subclavian artery, and in two patients it was beyond this site. In three patients, the noncovered proximal portion of the stent-graft was placed across the origin of the left subclavian artery. The efficacy of the procedure was assessed at follow-up studies 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after intervention. RESULTS: The procedure was technically and clinically successful in six patients (86%). The left subclavian artery remained patent in all patients. In two patients with involvement of aortic branches, endovascular stent-graft placement restored adequate blood flow to the compromised branches. One patient was readmitted 1 month later because the dissection extended into the ascending aorta. In all but this patient, closure of the entry tear and thrombosis of the false lumen along the stent-graft were achieved. All false lumina shrank considerably. The mean follow-up time was 14 months (range, 1-25 months). CONCLUSION: Type B aortic dissections within and beyond 2 cm of the origin of the left subclavian artery can be treated safely and effectively by means of endovascular stent-graft placement.     

Descending thoracic aortic diseases: stent-graft repair

PURPOSE: To evaluate endovascular treatment of descending thoracic aorta with commercially available self-expanding stent-grafts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy patients with aortic dissection, intramural hemorrhage, degenerative and posttraumatic aneurysm, penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer, and pseudoaneurysm underwent endovascular treatment. Eleven patients had impending rupture and were treated on an emergency basis. Stent-grafts were customized or selected on the basis of spiral computed tomographic (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging measurements. Preprocedure diagnostic angiography was performed in patients with aortic dissection and in other selected patients. All procedures were performed in an operating room and monitored with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Follow-up was at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment and yearly thereafter. RESULTS: Stent positioning was technically successful in 68 cases. At DSA and TEE, complete aneurysm or false-lumen exclusion was achieved in 66 (97%) cases. No intraoperative mortality or complications occurred. In-hospital complications included transient monoparesis (one patient) and extension of dissection into ascending aorta (one patient) that was repaired surgically. Early endoleak was observed in five (7%) patients: In three (type 2), endoleak resolved spontaneously; in one (type 1), it was persistent; and in one (type 1), treatment was converted to surgery. At long term, one (1%) patient died of aortic rupture; another, of respiratory insufficiency. Five (7%) late endoleak (type 1, one caused by migration of the stent) cases were observed. In three (4%), endovascular treatment was successful; in two (3%), surgery was performed. In one patient with persistent postimplantation syndrome, treatment was converted to surgery after successful aneurysm sealing. Procedure failure (ie, aortic disease-related mortality or conversion to surgery) occurred in six (9%) patients. CONCLUSION: Endovascular stent-graft repair is less invasive in patients with chronic and acute descending thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection.     

覆膜支架治疗降胸主动脉瘤

目的评估覆膜支架治疗术治疗Stanford B型主动脉夹层和降主动脉瘤的安全性和近期疗效。方法2003年3月至2005年9月期间,共29例Stanford B型主动脉夹层和2例降胸主动脉瘤患者接受覆膜支架治疗术,所有患者均有高血压病史,其中急性发病27例.本组采用两种支架(Mdtronic Talent15例,上海微创Aegis 16例),术后采用CTA进行定期随访。结果所有支架均成功按预期定位释放,术后即刻DSA复查显示23例夹层患者近端破裂口完全封闭,2例降主动脉瘤也完全隔离,6例发现有内漏;术后7 d CTA复查发现16例假腔内完全血栓形成,12例近端假腔形成血栓,远端假腔仍开放。结论覆膜支架术治疗Stanford B型主动脉夹层和降主动脉瘤安全、有效,可替代外科手术。但覆膜支架术的确切长期疗效尚待进一步的大样本、前瞻性对照研究才能确定。     

Elective endovascular treatment of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms and chronic dissections with stent-grafts

PURPOSE: To report our experience of endovascular stent-graft placement in patients with descending thoracic aortic dissections and aneurysms and to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and clinical outcomes of the treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stent-grafts were placed in the descending thoracic aortas of 23 patients with saccular aneurysms (n = 11) and Stanford type B chronic aortic dissections of the descending thoracic and abdominal aorta (n = 12). All stent-grafts were individually constructed of self-expandable stainless steel stents covered with polytetrafluoroethylene. Vascular access was achieved through the femoral artery in all patients. Clinical status of each patient was monitored and postoperative CT was performed within 1 month of the procedure and at 3-12-month intervals after the procedures. RESULTS: Successful exclusion of the primary entry tears of dissections and the inlets of saccular aneurysms was achieved in all but two patients with aortic dissection. The overall technical success rate was 91.3% (dissection: 10 of 12 = 83%; aneurysm: 11 of 11 = 100%). All patients in whom technical success was achieved showed complete thrombosis and significant decrease in diameter of the thoracic false lumen (preoperative: 5.3 cm +/- 0.9; postoperative: 4.3 cm +/- 0.9; P = .004) or aneurysm sac (preoperative: 5.3 cm +/- 1.7; postoperative: 2.8 cm +/- 2.5; P = .001). In addition, five patients demonstrated complete resolution of the dissected thoracic false lumen (n = 2) and aneurysm sac (n = 3). However, in all patients with aortic dissection, the abdominal aorta was not significantly changed in size (P = .302) and shape and their false lumen flows remained persistent. Immediate postoperative complications were detected in 12 patients (52%); 10 had fever, leukocytosis, and elevation of C-reactive protein, another had wound infection, and another had transient abdominal pain. Three patients died 2, 3, and 12 months after the procedure: one from septic shock, another from underlying mediastinitis, and the other from an unexplained cause. The remaining 20 patients were well after the procedure (1-9 days; mean, 3 days), without any stent-graft-related complications or discomfort (follow up period: 10-65 mo; mean: 25.1 mo +/- 15.6). The cumulative survival rate after the stent graft was 100% at 30 days and 91% at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: For treatment of aortic dissection and saccular aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta, endovascular stent-graft repair may be a technically feasible and effective treatment modality.     

Placement of endovascular stent-grafts for emergency repair of acute traumatic aortic rupture: a single-centre experience

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate mid- and long-term results of endovascular stent-graft placement for emergency repair of acute traumatic thoracic aortic rupture. From 1996 through 2005, 22 consecutive patients (mean age: 38.7 years) underwent endovascular repair of acute traumatic thoracic aortic rupture located at the aortic isthmus in most cases. All patients were at high surgical risk due to severe associated injuries. The endografts were inserted via femoral or iliac artery access under fluoroscopic guidance. Follow-up was performed postinterventionally, at 6 and 12 months and yearly thereafter, and included clinical examination and computed tomography (CT) scans. Technical and clinical success rates were 86.3%. Mean follow-up was 31.7 months. Three patients developed early type I endoleak due to the inability of the rigid graft to adapt to the curved aortic contour. In two of them conversion to open surgery was necessary. One patient had late type I endoleak and died. No other complications were observed. The outcome was successful in most patients. The mid- and long-term results of our current study are promising. However, early type I endoleak represents a problem, especially in adolescent patients with a marked curvature of the aortic arch.     

Endovascular treatment of aortic type B dissection and penetrating ulcer using commercially available stent-grafts.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to investigate the clinical experience and efficiency of translumenl endovascular stent-graft insertion using commercially available vascular endoprotheses. We studied seven patients with descending aortic dissection (type B) and four patients with penetrating aortic ulcer over a median follow-up period of 254 days during the years 1997-2000, using cross-sectional CT to evaluate the extent of the dissection, the distance between the entry tear and the left subclavian artery, and the diameter of the true lumen and the false lumen. CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment of acute and chronic aortic type B dissections and penetrating ulcer is a minimally invasive method with a low complication rate that could be considered a feasible alternative to surgical repair. Depending on the length of the dissection, we recommend the placement of two overlapping stent-grafts in the thoracic aorta to stabilize the affected thoracic aorta over a longer distance. This might provide a reliable sealing of the entry tear and should prevent further communication between the true lumen and the false lumen.     

Endovascular Repair of Localized Pathological Lesions of the Descending Thoracic Aorta: Midterm Results

The endoluminal stent-graft represents an attractive and a less invasive technique for treatment of various diseases of the descending thoracic aorta. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Talent endovascular stent-graft for the treatment of various localized diseases of the descending thoracic aorta. Over a 3-year period, Talent thoracic endografts were placed in 40 patients with a high surgical risk, presenting a localized lesion of the descending thoracic aorta: degenerative aneurysm (n = 13), acute traumatic rupture (n = 11), acute Stanford type B aortic dissection (n = 6), false aneurysm (n = 7), and penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer (n = 3). Fifteen patients (37.5%) were treated as emergencies. The feasibility of endovascular treatment and sizing of the aorta and stent-grafts were determined preoperatively by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and intraoperative angiography. Immediate and mid-term technical and clinical success was assessed by clinical and MRA follow-up. Endovascular treatment was completed successfully in all 40 patients, with no conversion to open repair or intraoperative mortality. The mean operative time was 37.5 ± 7 min. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 10% (n = 4), all in emergency cases, for causes not related to the endograft. The primary technical success was 92.5%. The mean follow-up period was 15 ± 5 months. The survival rate was 95% (n = 35). Diminution of the aneurismal size was observed in 47.5% (n = 19). We conclude that endovascular treatment of the various localized diseases of the descending thoracic aorta is a promising, feasible, alternative technique to open surgery in well-selected patients.     

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Combined Interventional and Surgical Treatment for Acute Aortic Type A Dissection

Surgical repair and endovascular stent-graft placement are both therapies for thoracic aortic dissection. A combination of these two approaches may be effective in patients with type A dissection. In this study, we evaluated the prognosis of this combined technique. From December 2003 to December 2006, 15 patients with type A dissection were admitted to our institute; clinical data were retrospectively reviewed. Follow-up was performed at discharge and approximately 12 months after operation. Endovascular stent-graft placement by interventional radiology and surgical repair for reconstruction of aortic arch was performed in all patients. Total arch replacement for distal arch aneurysm was carried out under deep hypothermia with circulatory arrest; antegrade-selected cerebral perfusion was used for brain protection. Four patients concomitantly received a coronary artery bypass graft. Hospital mortality rate was 6.7%; the patient died of cerebral infarction. Neurological complications developed in two patients. Multi-detector-row computed tomography scans performed before discharge revealed complete thrombosis of the false lumen in six patients and partial thrombosis in eight patients. At the follow-up examination, complete thrombosis was found in another three patients, aortic rupture, endoleaks, or migration of the stent-graft was not observed and injuries of peripheral organs or anastomotic endoleaks did not occur. For patients with aortic type A dissection, combining intervention and surgical procedures is feasible, and complete or at least partial thrombosis of the false lumen in the descending aorta can be achieved. This combined approach simplified the surgical procedures and shortened the circulatory arrest time, minimizing the necessity for further aortic operation. Jin-Cheng Liu and Jin-Zhou Zhang contributed equally to this work.     

Long-Term Follow-Up After Endovascular Treatment of Acute Aortic Emergencies

Purpose To investigate the long-term outcome and efficacy of emergency treatment of acute aortic diseases with endovascular stent-grafts. Methods From September 1995 to April 2007, 37 patients (21 men, 16 women; age 53.9 ± 19.2 years, range 18–85 years) with acute complications of diseases of the descending thoracic aorta were treated by endovascular stent-grafts: traumatic aortic ruptures (n = 9), aortobronchial fistulas due to penetrating ulcer or hematothorax (n = 6), acute type B dissections with aortic wall hematoma, penetration, or ischemia (n = 13), and symptomatic aneurysm of the thoracic aorta (n = 9) with pain, penetration, or rupture. Diagnosis was confirmed by contrast-enhanced CT. Multiplanar reformations were used for measurement of the landing zones of the stent-grafts. Stent-grafts were inserted via femoral or iliac cut-down. Two procedures required aortofemoral bypass grafting prior to stent-grafting due to extensive arteriosclerotic stenosis of the iliac arteries. In this case the bypass graft was used for introduction of the stent-graft. Results A total of 46 stent-grafts were implanted: Vanguard/Stentor (n = 4), Talent (n = 31), and Valiant (n = 11). Stent-graft extension was necessary in 7 cases. In 3 cases primary graft extension was done during the initial procedure (in 1 case due to distal migration of the graft during stent release, in 2 cases due to the total length of the aortic aneurysm). In 4 cases secondary graft extensions were performed—for new aortic ulcers at the proximal stent struts (after 5 days) and distal to the graft (after 8 months) and recurrent aortobronchial fistulas 5 months and 9 years after the initial procedure—resulting in a total of 41 endovascular procedures. The 30-day mortality rate was 8% (3 of 37) and the overall follow-up was 29.9 ± 36.6 months (range 0–139 months). All patients with traumatic ruptures demonstrated an immediate sealing of bleeding. Patients with aortobronchial fistulas also demonstrated a satisfactory follow-up despite the necessity for reintervention and graft extension in 3 of 6 cases (50%). Two patients with type B dissection died due to mesenteric ischemia despite sufficient mesenteric blood flow being restored (but too late). Two suffered from neurologic complications, 1 from paraplegia and 1 from cerebral ischemia (probably embolic), 1 from penetrating ulcer, and 1 from persistent ischemia of the kidney. Five of 9 (56%) patients with symptomatic thoracic aneurysm demonstrated endoleaks during follow-up and there was an increase in the aneurysm in 1. Conclusion Endovascular treatment is safe and effective for emergency treatment of life-threatening acute thoracic aortic syndromes. Results are encouraging, particularly for traumatic aortic ruptures. However, regular follow-up is mandatory, particularly in the other pathologies, to identify late complications of the stent-graft and to perform appropriate additional corrections as required.     

Urgent thoracic aortal dissection and aneurysm: treatment with stent-graft implantation in an angiographic suite

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of endoluminal stent-graft placement in an angiographic suite for the treatment of emergent type-B aortic dissections and ruptured thoracic aortal aneurysms. Twenty-six patients with either urgent type-B dissection (n=8) or aneurysms (n=18) of the descending thoracic aorta were chosen for stent-graft implantation. All patients received a multidetector-row CT angiography of the whole aorta and pelvic arteries prior to stent-graft implantation. All procedures were performed in a fully equipped digital subtraction angiography (DSA) suite under general anesthesia. In 20 patients Talent LPS tube grafts and in 4 patients an Excluder graft were used. Access was achieved via surgical cut-down in the left (n=7) or right (n=19) groin. Sealing was successful in 24 patients. The proximal covered portion of the stent graft was placed across the left subclavian artery in 2 patients. Procedural success was achieved in 23 of 24 patients. One patient required a second stent-graft placement before the aneurysm was sealed. One patient with an acute perforation of the descending aorta died due to cardiac failure prior to stent-graft implantation. In 1 patient stent-graft delivery failed due to severe calcification of both common iliac arteries. Endoluminal treatment of both urgent type-B aortic dissections and thoracic aortal aneurysms with stent graft is an attractive alternative treatment to surgical repair. The placement of stent grafts in an angiographic suite is a safe and feasible method with good clinical effectiveness and, so far, good clinical outcome.     

Descending thoracic aortic aneurysm: thoracic CT findings after endovascular stent-graft placement.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of thoracic computed tomography (CT) after placement of an endovascular stent-graft for the treatment of descending thoracic aortic aneurysm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1992 to 1996, 85 patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm underwent stent-graft placement. In 63 patients, thoracic CT scans were obtained both before and within 10 days after placement. The CT findings were retrospectively studied, and their clinical effect analyzed. In 20 of 63 patients, long-term follow-up CT findings were also evaluated. RESULTS: After stent-graft placement in the 63 patients, CT demonstrated an increase in pleural effusion in 46 (73%), periaortic changes in 21 (33%), perigraft leak in 13 (21%), atelectasis in six (10%), mural thrombus within the stent-graft in two (3%), and new aortic dissection in one (2%). The mean maximum diameter of the aneurysm was 58.8 mm before and 60.0 mm after stent-graft insertion. Sixty-two (98%) patients were successfully treated until discharge. Interventional procedures were performed to eliminate the leakage into the aneurysm sac in 10 patients with perigraft flow depicted at CT. Other complications were managed conservatively. CONCLUSION: Thoracic CT is useful in the treatment of patients after stent-graft insertion for the management of descending thoracic aortic aneurysm.     

Treatment of chronic aortic dissection by transluminal endovascular stent-graft placement: preliminary results.

PURPOSE: To investigate efficacy of stent-graft repair for the treatment of patients with chronic aortic dissection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with chronic aortic dissection were treated with endovascular stent-grafts. Entry tears were located in the descending thoracic aorta in all patients. The mean maximum diameter of the descending thoracic aorta was 47 mm +/- 8. The mean diameter of the true lumen at the same level was 20 mm +/- 5. The mean interval between diagnosis and stent-graft procedure was 32 months +/- 91. Stent-grafts were fabricated from expanded polytetrafluoroethylene and Z-stents. RESULTS: Stent-grafts were placed successfully in all patients. Two stent-grafts were required in one patient. Entry closure and thrombosis of the false lumen of the descending thoracic aorta were also achieved in all patients. No procedure-related complications were observed except for postimplantation syndrome, including fever and leukocytosis. The diameter of the true lumen was significantly increased (mean, 31 mm +/- 6) at the level of the descending thoracic aorta (P <.01) and the diameter of the aorta was significantly decreased (mean, 44 mm +/- 8) at the same level (P <.01). There were no deaths and no instances of aortic rupture during the subsequent average follow-up period of 24 months. Secondary stent-graft procedures were required to treat the abdominal component of dissection during follow-up in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: Stent-graft repair of chronic aortic dissection is a safe and effective method and may be an alternative to surgical graft replacement in selected patients. However, further evaluation is mandatory before this method is widely employed.     

Endovascular Repair of a Non-Contained Aortic Rupture Caused by a Penetrating Aortic Ulcer

This case report describes the endovascular treatment of an acute non-contained rupture of the descending aorta with a stent-graft as an emergency procedure. The aortic rupture was caused by a penetrating aortic ulcer. One year follow-up documents the complete recovery of the patient.     

Endovascular treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms: a review

Open surgical repair is considered the traditional treatment for patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA). In view of the persistent perioperative mobidity and mortality, endovascular stent-graft placement as a minimally invasive and potentially safer treatment for aneurysm of the descending aorta was introduced in 1992. Since then, progress has been made and several institutions have substantiated the safety and effectiveness of stent grafts in the repair of descending TAAs or type-B aortic dissections. Currently, both custom-designed, home-made, and commercially available stent grafts are used. Prior to placement of the endoprosthesis, three major prerequisites must be considered: the localization and morphology of the aneurysm; the distal vascular access of sufficient size; and a limited tortuosity of the abdominal and thoracic aorta. Although short-term results are encouraging, severe complications, including paraplegia, cerebral strokes, and aortic rupture, have been encountered. The long-term durability of currently available stent-graft systems is nonexistent and material fatigue are of major concern to both surgeons and radiologists. Nevertheless, endovascular stent-graft placement could become the procedure of choice in a substantial number of patients with descending TAA.     

带膜支架腔内置入术治疗急性胸腹主动脉夹层

目的 :探讨带膜支架腔内置入术治疗急性胸腹主动脉夹层的应用和疗效。方法 :对 1例急性胸腹主动脉多发破口的主动脉夹层采用带膜支架置入治疗 ,并分析其疗效。结果 :经股动脉置入两枚带膜支架封闭破口成功 ,术后复查彩超和多层螺旋CT示主动脉夹层消失 ,假腔内血栓形成 ,未出现支架移位、狭窄等并发症。结论 :带膜支架腔内置入术是治疗主动脉夹层的有效方法。     

Endovascular stent-graft management of thoracic aortic diseases.

The traditional standard therapy for descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is open operative repair with graft replacement of the diseased aortic segment. Despite important advances in surgical techniques, anesthetic management, and post-operative care over the last 30 years, the mortality and morbidity of surgery remains considerable, especially in patients at high risk for thoracotomy because of coexisting severe cardiopulmonary abnormalities or other medical diseases. The advent of endovascular stent-graft technology provides an alternative to open surgery for selected patients with TAA. The initial experience suggests that stent-graft therapy potentially may reduce the operative risk, hospital stay and procedural expenses of TAA repair. These potential benefits are especially attractive for patients at high risk for open TAA repair. Current results of endovascular TAA therapy document operative mortalities of between 0 and 4%, aneurysm thrombosis in 90 and 100% of cases, and paraplegia as a complication in 0 and 1.6% of patients. The early success of stent-graft repair of TAA has fostered the application of these devices for the management of a wide variety of thoracic aortic pathologies, including acute and chronic dissection, intramural hematoma, penetrating ulcer, traumatic injuries, and other diseases. The results of prospective controlled trials that compare the outcomes of stent-graft therapy with those of surgical treatment in patients with specific types of aortic disease are anxiously awaited before recommendations regarding the general use of these new devices can be made with confidence.     

Endovascular repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm and intramural hematoma in giant cell arteritis

An 80-year-old woman with established giant cell arteritis presented at the authors' institution with a 6.5-cm false aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta complicated by focal dissection and intramural hematoma after a 1-week history of acute-onset chest pain. The patient underwent uncomplicated endovascular aortic repair with a 32-mm x 15-cm TagExcluder stent-graft. After the procedure, the intramural hematoma resolved and the patient's corticosteroid and immunosuppressive therapy was repeatedly adjusted. However, the giant cell arteritis activity relapsed after 8 months with development of a similar 1.5-cm false aneurysm below the thoracic stent-graft, complicated by focal intramural hematoma. Repeat uncomplicated thoracic stent-graft implantation was performed and CT follow-up displayed resorption of the intramural hematomas with no evidence of endoleak or any new aortic pathology. This report discusses the difficult management of patients with relapsing active aortic giant cell arteritis and the potential role for endovascular thoracic aortic repair.     

Non-surgical treatment of aortic aneurysms and dissections: indications, strategies and outcome

PURPOSE: The endovascular treatment of the thoracic aorta is an effective alternative to open surgical repair and offers a therapeutic option even to patients at high risk for surgery. Our experience in the treatment of different diseases of descending thoracic aorta is reported. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between July 1997 and January 2001, 50 patients were selected for endovascular treatment: 36/50 patients presented high risk for conventional surgery. Six patients presented clinical and imaging features suggesting impending rupture and were treated on emergency basis. The stent-graft prosthesis was individually manufactured or selected on the basis of spiral CT or MRI measurements. RESULTS: Endovascular stent positioning and deployment was technically successful in 49 cases. In one patient the tortuosity of the aortic arch prevented graft deployment. Complete aneurysm exclusion was achieved in 48 cases as assessed by post-procedure angiography and TEE. One proximal endoleak was noted and surgical conversion was performed 40 days later. There were no intraoperative mortality or complications. One patient presented extension of dissection at the 8th postoperative day and required of surgical repair. CT scan showed an endoleak in 4 cases that sealed spontaneously in three cases while the fourth case was treated by graft extension. In the long term two secondary endoleak were observed (12 and 24 months after the procedure). CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular stent-graft repair provides a less invasive opportunity to patients affected by thoracic aortic disease. Careful cases selection is the first postulate for the efficacy and safety of the procedure.