Acute traumatic aortic tear: open versus stent-graft repair

Semin Vasc Surg. 2006 Mar;19(1):48-59. doi: 10.1053/j.semvascsurg.2005.11.008.

Abstract

Acute traumatic aortic tear (ATAT) is the second most common cause of deaths in trauma patients (about 8,000 deaths/year in the USA). Due to circumferential aortic disruption, up to 90% die at the scene. Responsible trauma mechanisms are: penetrating (gunshot/stab wounds), iatrogenic (interventional catheterization) and, most frequently, blunt chest trauma (high-speed motor vehicles, falls from heights, crushes, explosions) resulting in injury at the aortic isthmus region (loco typico, about 90%). Severe multiple system injuries (polytrauma), especially to intracranial and intraabdominal organs, are characteristic and prognostically predicitive. Immediate transthoracic open repair of ATAT has a mortality risk of 8% to 33% and paraplegia risk of 2% to 26%. Contrast enhanced CT scan has replaced the classical angiography as the diagnostic tool of choice. Patients with life-threatening multisystem injuries are scheduled for delayed repair after initial stabilization. Currently, the use of endovascular stent-grafts (EVAR) is being investigated. Our personal series confirms that EVAR for ATAT is a viable alternative to open repair while minimizing the morbidity and mortality of the open procedure and having a limited impact on trauma destabilization. The assessment of long-term durability of EVAR is one of the key issues to consider EVAR as the first choice of treatment.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Angiography
  • Aorta, Thoracic / injuries*
  • Aorta, Thoracic / pathology
  • Aorta, Thoracic / surgery
  • Aortic Rupture / surgery
  • Aortic Rupture / therapy*
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis*
  • Catheterization / instrumentation
  • Catheterization / methods*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Humans
  • Prognosis
  • Stents*
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures / methods
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures / standards
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / pathology
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / therapy*