Emergency Treatment of Acute Rupture of the Descending Thoracic Aorta Using Endovascular Stent-Grafts

Open surgical management of acute rupture of the descending thoracic aorta (DTA) is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Endovascular stent-grafts (ESGs) could provide a less invasive treatment alternative to conventional open surgery. The purpose of this report detailing our experience using ESG for treatment of acute rupture of the DTA is to determine the indications for endovascular repair. From June 2000 to April 2005, 17 patients presenting rupture of the DTA were treated using commercially available ESGs at our institution. There were two women and 15 men, with a mean age of 41.9 ± 20.5 years. The cause of aortic rupture was traumatic in 13 cases and nontraumatic in four. Treatment was undertaken immediately in 10 cases and delayed in seven (range 5-68 days, mean 23.5). In one patient, the proximal neck landing zone was prepared prior to endovascular repair. No patients died during the postoperative period. The technical success rate was 84%. One patient developed a proximal type 1 endoleak at the end of the procedure. Three complications, i.e., two iliac dissections and one femoral artery rupture, occurred during the procedure. No paraplegia was observed. Mean follow-up was 13.3 months (range 1-41). One patient treated for traumatic rupture was lost from follow-up 21 months after initial treatment. No procedure-related complication was observed in this traumatic rupture group. Control computed tomographic scan at 13 months following the procedure demonstrated no evidence of periprosthetic leak or false aneurysm. In the nontraumatic rupture group, two patients died of aortic rupture and one treated for aortobronchial fistula developed recurrent hemoptysis 23 months after initial treatment and required placement of two additional ESGs. The immediate outcome of covered stent-graft placement for management of acute aortic rupture of the DTA is good. However, long-term surveillance is mandatory, especially in patients treated for nontraumatic aortic rupture that is associated with a high late complication rate. Further study will be needed to determine the exact utility of endovascular therapy for aortic rupture: final treatment or bridge to conventional open-chest repair when the patient’s condition has stabilized.