A novel method for prevention of stent graft-induced distal re-dissection after thoracic endovascular aortic repair for Type B aortic dissection†

Stent graft-induced distal re-dissection (SIDR) is a burdensome complication after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for Type B aortic dissection. We developed a novel method to prevent SIDR by placing a small-diameter short stent graft [Excluder Aortic Extender (Cuff)] at the distal landing zone (DLZ) and reviewed its effectiveness in this study.Ninety patients who underwent TEVAR for Type B aortic dissection using commercially available devices between January 2008 and September 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Among them, TEVAR with the Cuff technique was performed in 36 (40%) cases, in which a Cuff was placed at the DLZ in the descending aorta prior to the main stent graft deployment to avoid excessive stent graft oversizing at the distal end. The effectiveness of the Cuff technique was assessed by evaluating mid-term clinical results, including the incidence of SIDR.Technical success was achieved in all 90 cases. During a median follow-up time of 40.4 months (range 0.2-90.6 months), 8 SIDRs were documented using multidetector computed tomography images. Freedom from SIDR was significantly lower in the Cuff group (Cuff: 100%/5 years vs non-Cuff: 84.6%/5 years; P = 0.04), whereas no difference was observed between both groups in the oversizing rate at the DLZ (19.9 ± 8.5% vs 17.8 ± 9.9%; P = 0.29).Placement of a small-diameter short stent graft at the DLZ (Cuff technique) in TEVAR for aortic dissection is an easy procedure that may reduce the incidence of SIDR.