Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Retrograde Type A Intramural Hematoma With Intimal Disruption in the Descending Aorta

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for retrograde type A intramural hematoma (IMH) with intimal disruption in the descending aorta and report our endovascular therapeutic experience.From January 2014 to October 2020, a total of 24 consecutive patients with retrograde type A IMH with intimal disruption (intimal tear or ulcer-like projection) in the descending aorta underwent TEVAR. The demographics, clinical characteristics, treatment details, imaging information, and follow-up results were reviewed.Among all patients with retrograde type A IMH, 13 (54.2%) patients presented with ulcer-like projection and 11 (45.8%) with intimal tear (aortic dissection) in the descending aorta. Successful TEVAR was achieved in all patients. There was no 30-day mortality. During a mean follow-up of 37.5 months, 1 patient (4.2%) developed permanent paralysis, 1 patient (4.2%) underwent reintervention due to the expansion of the aorta distal to the stent resulting from the enlargement of distal intimal tear at the 2 month follow up, and no other adverse events were observed. The latest computed tomographic angiography images showed that the maximum diameter of the ascending aorta and descending aorta significantly decreased after TEVAR (both p<0.001), and the IMH/false lumen in the ascending aorta and the descending thoracic aorta were completely absorbed.Thoracic endovascular aortic repair for selected patients with retrograde type A intramural hematoma that presented with intimal disruption in the descending aorta is feasible and efficient, but close surveillance is needed to manage aortic-related adverse events.