Endovascular Aortic Repair for Progressive Chronic Thoracoabdominal Aortic Dissections

Background: Ascending and thoracic aortic dissections progress into thoracoabdominal aneurysms 20-40% of the time, due to the initial aortic injury with associated weakness of the aortic wall. The increased firmness of the intimal flap usually results in a collapsed true lumen that does not spontaneously reexpand even with progressive dilatation of the aorta. In an effort to identify a safe and effective treatment path for this complex disease process, we present 4 cases illustrating successful sequential thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and fenestrated endovascular aortic repair (FEVAR). The treatment of these patients with endovascular techniques is less invasive than open conventional operations. However, multiple procedures are required using various complex novel techniques. Methods: Institutional review board approval was obtained to identify 4 cases between January 2010 and May 2015 of patients with pretreatment hypertension, who initially presented with an aortic dissection. All patients subsequently developed a descending aortic aneurysm and were treated by TEVAR and FEVAR. Monthly and yearly outcomes were analyzed. Results: All procedures concluded with branched visceral vessel patency and no type I endoleaks. One patient required extraction of the retrograde superior mesenteric artery stent placed during the acute phase for visceral reperfusion. Another patient developed acute thromboembolic occlusion of the right common femoral artery requiring emergent revascularization in the immediate postoperative period. Conclusions: Aortic dissection is the most common cause of death related to aortic pathology. Treatment of type B aortic dissections has traditionally been initially medical therapy unless complications develop. The treatment of subsequent complications has been associated with a high morbidity and mortality rate. However, the advent of evolving endovascular therapies has resulted in the reassessment of how these patients might be handled. This case series illustrates the treatment of expanding chronic thoracoabdominal aortic dissecting aneurysms with a total endovascular approach using various novel techniques.