Long-term outcomes of thoracic endovascular aortic repair for chronic Stanford type B aortic dissection

Objectives The aim of this study was to report the long-term outcomes of proximal thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for chronic Stanford type B aortic dissection (cTBAD). Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 48 cases of patients with cTBAD who underwent proximal TEVAR in Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University from January 2010 to September 2013. The preoperative and postoperative imaging examinations, overall survival rate, aortic-related survival rate, and freedom from reintervention rate data were collected to evaluate aortic remodeling and clinical outcomes. The enrolled patients received follow-up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months following treatment and annually thereafter. Results A total of 48 patients (mean age, 58.3 ± 10.6 years; men:women, 40:8) were included, of which 38 cases (79.2%) were uncomplicated dissection and 10 cases (20.8%) were complicated. The mean follow-up time was 48.7 ± 40 months (1–120 months). The mean time interval from the initial procedure to reintervention was 50.6 ± 32.7 months (11–98 months). The following changes were observed at preoperative versus last follow-up timepoints. Descending aortic level: true lumen, 19.2 ± 7.01 mm vs. 36.9 ± 9.53 mm ( p < 0.001); false lumen, 30.47 ± 15.89 mm vs. 19.16 ± 15.33 mm ( p < 0.001); maximum diameter, 49.67 ± 13.96 mm vs. 56.66 ± 14.95 mm ( p = 0.018). Diaphragm level: true lumen, 16.24 ± 5.41 mm vs. 24.41 ± 8.04 mm ( p < 0.001); false lumen, 12.37 ± 11.49 mm vs. 14.92 ± 12.25 mm ( p = 0.196); and maximum diameter, 34 ± 7.81 mm vs. 38.04 ± 7.7 mm ( p < 0.001). The freedom from reintervention rate was 81% in 5 years and 50.6% in 10 years. The overall 10-years survival rate was 83% (6 of 48), and the aortic-related survival rate was 92.3% (3 of 48). Conclusions TEVAR is a safe and effective proximal repair intervention for cTBAD that can reliably induce the positive remodeling of the descending aorta.