Management of acute type B aortic dissection with malperfusion via endovascular fenestration/stenting

Objective: The study objective was to evaluate the management of malperfusion in acute type B aortic dissection with endovascular fenestration/stenting.

Methods: From 1996 to 2018, 182 patients with an acute type B aortic dissection underwent fenestration/stenting for suspected malperfusion based on imaging, clinical manifestations, and laboratory findings. Data were obtained from medical record review and the National Death Index database.

Results: The median age of patients was 55 years. Signs of malperfusion included abdominal pain (61%), lower-extremity weakness (27%), nonpalpable lower-extremity pulses (24%), and abnormal lactate, creatinine, liver enzymes, and creatine kinase levels. Confirmed hemodynamically significant malperfusion affected the spinal cord (2.7%), celiac (24%), superior mesenteric (40%), renal (51%), and iliofemoral (43%) arterial distributions. Of the 182 patients, 99 (54%) underwent aortic fenestration/stenting, 108 (59%) had 1 or multi-branch vessel fenestration/stenting, 5 (2.7%) had concomitant thoracic endovascular aortic repair, 17 (9.3%) had additional thrombolysis or thromboembolectomy, and 48 (26%) received no intervention. After fenestration/stenting, 24 patients (13%) required additional procedures for necrotic bowel or limb and 9 patients (4.9%) had subsequent aortic repair (thoracic endovascular aortic repair, open repair) before discharge. The new-onset paraplegia was 0%. The in-hospital mortality was 7.7% over 20+ years and 0% in the last 8 years. The 5- and 10-year survivals were 72% and 49%, respectively. The significant risk factors for late mortality were age and acute paralysis (hazard ratio, 3.5; both P < .0001). Given death as a competing factor, the 5- and 10-year cumulative incidence of reintervention was 21% and 31% for distal aortic pathology, respectively.

Conclusions: Patients with acute type B aortic dissection with malperfusion can be managed with endovascular fenestration/stenting with excellent short- and long-term outcomes. This approach is particularly helpful to patients with static malperfusion of aortic branch vessels.