Importance of Early Aortic Surveillance after Endovascular Treatment of Type B Aortic Dissection with Malperfusion Syndrome.

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to assess the incidence and timing of adverse events and complications occurring after endovascular treatment of type B aortic dissection (TBAD) complicated with malperfusion syndrome (MPS).

METHODS

Twenty-eight patients with TBAD and MPS treated endovascularly at our center from January 2006 to January 2015 were evaluated through a retrospective scrutiny of the medical records. The primary end point of the study was aorta-related reintervention. The secondary end point was all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

The MPS included the mesenteric and renal arteries in 14 (50%) and 21 (75%) patients, respectively, the lower extremities in 14 (50%) patients and the spinal cord in 3 (10.7%). The 1-year and 5-year freedom of reintervention rate were 86.2% and 74.7%, respectively. The median time to reintervention was 4.5 months. The main reason for reintervention was type I proximal endoleak which was treated by proximal endograft extensions and appropriate arch-branch management. The perioperative mortality was 14.3% (4 of 28). The mean follow-up was 61.7 months (range, 2-96 months). The short-term and long-term survivals were 82.1% at 1 and 5 years, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that closer follow-up and imaging surveillance of the aorta are warranted after thoracic endovascular aortic repair treatment of TBAD and MPS. And especially so during the first 6 months to enable timely detection and correction of potential complications.