Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Penetrating Aortic Ulcer: Literature Review.

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to provide a literature review of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) outcomes for penetrating ulcer of the aorta.

METHODS

Relevant articles in the Embase, Medline, and Cochrane databases reporting the results of endovascular repair for penetrating ulcers of the thoracic aorta were systematically searched and reviewed.

RESULTS

Thirty-one articles were integrated after a literature review, and 310 patients treated by TEVAR for penetrating ulcers of the aorta were identified. In this cohort, most patients were male (65.8%), had a history of smoking (60.4%), and systemic hypertension (90%). Only 9% were asymptomatic at initial presentation. Most cases (76%) occurred among patients with a single ulcer, located in the descending thoracic aorta (81%), with associated intramural hematoma in 45%. The technical success of TEVAR was 98.3%. Surgical conversion during the postoperative period with stent-graft explantation was required in 1 patient. The overall 30-day mortality was 4.8% (15 of 310). The most frequent complications were endoleaks (8%, 25 of 310) and access problems (16.1%, 26 of 161). After a mean follow-up of 17.7 months (range, 1 to 52), the all-cause mortality was 22.9% (71 of 310), and the aortic-related mortality was 4.1% (13 of 310). During follow-up, new endoleak and ulcer recurrence were observed in 5.4% (n = 15 of 274) and 4.5% (n = 5 of 110), respectively, requiring a new aortic endovascular procedure in 50% (n = 10).

CONCLUSIONS

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair of penetrating ulcer has excellent short-term and midterms results. The endovascular approach should be the first line management for aortic ulcer when intervention is indicated.