Sex-based outcomes following thoracic endovascular aortic repair for acute complicated type B aortic dissection: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

Sex disparities in clinical outcomes following thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for acute complicated type B aortic dissection (TBAD) are not well understood.

AIM: To evaluates the impact of sex on primary and secondary outcomes by comparing male and female cohorts undergoing TEVAR.

METHODS

A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and ScienceDirect identified five studies involving 2572 patients (1153 males and 1419 females). The primary outcome was hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included reintervention rates, acute kidney injury (AKI), ischemic stroke, limb ischemia, and spinal cord ischemia. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic.

RESULTS

The primary outcome showed no significant difference between males and females for hospital mortality (OR: 1.13, 95%CI: 0.81-1.59, P = 0.47, I 2 = 0). Among secondary outcomes, males had a significantly higher risk of AKI (OR: 1.55, 95%CI: 1.21-2.00, P = 0.0006, I² = 0). No differences were observed for reintervention rates, ischemic stroke, limb ischemia, or spinal cord ischemia.

CONCLUSION

Male patients undergoing TEVAR for complicated TBAD are at increased risk of AKI but show comparable outcomes to females for mortality, ischemic events, reintervention, and other complications. Future research should explore mechanisms and strategies to optimize outcomes.