Methods and Outcomes of Endovascular False Lumen Embolization for Thoracic Aortic Dissection

To provide a contemporary review on endovascular false lumen (FL) embolization for thoracic aortic dissection (AD) and evaluate its early outcome.A systematic literature review on FL embolization for thoracic AD from January 2003 to December 2020 was performed under the instruction of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Each article was analyzed using a standardized protocol including predefined demographic characteristics, perioperative mortality, and major complications.A total of 29 papers with 229 patients were included into the analysis. The methods of FL occlusion used were the candy-plug technique, the knickerbocker technique, the "cork in the bottleneck" technique, and direct FL embolization with a combination of stent-grafts, coils, onyx, plugs, and glue. FL embolization procedure was performed in 79 patients (34.5%) with type A AD and 150 (65.5%) with type B AD. FL direct embolization was the most frequently used technique and it was applied in 198 (86.5%) patients. Candy-plug, knickerbocker, and "cork in the bottleneck" techniques were used in 26 (11.4%), 3 (1.3%), and 2 (0.9%) patients, respectively. Technical success was achieved in all patients except one (228/229, 99.6%) in which implantation of a stent to celiac trunk was not possible. There were 4 hospital deaths (1.7%). Neurological complications occurred in 6 patients (2.6%), including 4 (1.7%) spinal cord ischemia and 2 (0.9%) ischemic stroke. There were 1 (0.4%) iatrogenic retrograde dissection and 2 (0.9%) renal failure reported. The mean duration of follow-up was 16.5 months. There were 21 deaths (9.3%) during follow-up and 8 (3.6%) were aorta-related. Thirty three (14.7%) secondary interventions were performed. Five patients (2.2%) required an open completion thoracoabdominal procedure incorporating the stent-graft into the repair. Complete FL thrombosis was observed in 181 (80.4%) patients, 34 (15.1%) had partial thrombosis, and 10 (4.4%) had FL progression.FL embolization of the distal thoracic aorta is a promising technique in a group of patients to promote FL thrombosis and aortic remodeling in thoracic aorta.