Acute retrograde aortic dissection during endovascular repair of a thoracic aortic aneurysm

Endovascular aneurysm exclusion represents a valuable alternative treatment for descending thoracic aortic aneurysms. Although the minimally invasive character of this procedure is obvious, major complications are possible. We report a 77-year-old male who developed acute retrograde dissection of the aortic arch and ascending aorta during endovascular stent-grafting of a descending aortic aneurysm. Emergent open surgical repair provided a successful outcome. (C) 2003 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.