Journal of vascular surgery
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Endovascular stent graft repair of a traumatic thoracic aortic disruption (TTAD) is rapidly becoming an accepted alternative to open surgical repair. The use of currently approved thoracic stent grafts especially in younger patients with small, "steep," tapered aortas, remains a concern due to the acute thoracic endograft collapse and enfolding. The objective of this study, the largest report to date, was to evaluate the mid-term results of TTAD treated with abdominal aortic "stacked" extension cuffs, with follow-up extending to 41 months. ⋯ Stent-graft repair of TTAD is technically feasible. The technique of "stacked" aortic cuffs provides an acceptable option when urgent therapy is needed, when patients are deemed high-risk for open operative repair, or until thoracic endografts are designed which can safely treat focal, smaller aortic diameter injuries.
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To evaluate national outcomes after open repair of descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (DTA). ⋯ Mortality after open repair of DTA is high and complications are common. Mortality is dependent upon age, rupture status, and hospital surgical volume. Results of endovascular DTA repair should be compared using similar population-based data.