The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
-
J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jun 2010
Staged repair significantly reduces paraplegia rate after extensive thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
Paraplegia remains a devastating, and still too frequent, complication after repair of extensive thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. Strategies to prevent ischemic spinal cord damage after extensive segmental artery sacrifice-or occlusion, essential for endovascular repair-are still evolving. ⋯ A staged approach to extensive thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair may reduce the incidence of spinal cord injury. This is of particular importance in designing strategies involving hybrid or entirely endovascular procedures.