Endovascular versus open repair for blunt thoracic aortic injury: short-term results.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular stent grafting has been increasingly used as an alternative treatment modality. The aim of this study is to evaluate the immediate and short-term results of endovascular stent grafting repair after blunt thoracic aortic injury due to trauma. METHODS: A review of a tertiary trauma center registry identified all patients who suffered blunt thoracic aortic injury from 2002 to 2006. All patients underwent either open repair with synthetic graft interposition or endovascular stent grafting (EVS) of the descending thoracic aorta. Type and severity of injury, concomitant injuries, clinical factors, and outcome were compared between groups. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed. RESULTS: Endovascular stent grafting was performed in 22 patients, and 10 patients underwent open surgical repair. In the open group, the 30-day mortality rate was 10%, the paraplegia rate was 10%, and incidence of major complications was 30%, which were comparable with the incidences observed in the EVS group of 4.5%, 4.5%, and 13.6%, respectively. No statistically significant differences were demonstrated. Multivariate regression analysis identified associated thoracic injury as the main independent predictor of hospital length of stay (p = 0.03, 95% confidence interval: 0.53 to 18.85). In the EVS group, 1 patient died in the short-term follow-up period and 2 cases of endovascular leak required additional treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Although postoperative mortality and morbidity between open and endovascular repair were comparable, EVS can be considered a safe alternative treatment modality in the therapeutic algorithm of blunt thoracic aortic injury particularly for the higher risk multitrauma patients.

Endovascular stenting for primary aortobronchial fistula in association with massive hemoptysis.

Aortobronchial fistula is a potentially lethal complication secondary to the repair of a descending thoracic aneurysm or the placement of a prosthetic graft. Few cases have been reported. Very rarely, primary aortobronchial fistula occurs in a patient who has no history of cardiac surgical intervention. Herein, we present the cases of 2 patients whose massive, life-threatening bleeding from primary aortobronchial fistulae was successfully treated with endovascular stenting. Endovascular stenting is an emerging treatment method that can be used in this emergency setting with promising results and without early graft-related sequelae.

Surgical treatment for aneurysm at the origin of an aberrant right subclavian artery.

Atherosclerotic aneurysms at the origin of an aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) are extremely rare entities of congenital origin. We report a case of a 62-year-old man who presented with dyspnea and upper chest pain. The CT scan and digital subtraction angiography revealed a 7-cm aneurysm of an ARSA arising from Kommerell's diverticulum. Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest was instituted and a transaortic approach was used for closure of the origin of the aneurysm with a prosthetic patch. A Dacron graft was interposed between the right subclavian artery and the ascending aorta and the aneurysmal sac was resected. The patient had an uneventful recovery.