Objectives: to report a single centre experience with endovascular repair of the ruptured descending thoracic and abdominal aorta.
Design: prospective non-randomised study in a university hospital.
Material and methods: between 1995 and 2000, endovascular treatment was utilised for 231 aortic repairs; in 37 cases (16%) endografting was conducted on an emergency basis for 21 ruptured infrarenal aortic aneurysms, 15 ruptured descending thoracic aortic lesions, and 1 ruptured thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. The feasibility of endovascular treatment and the prostheses' size were determined, based on preoperative spiral CT and intraoperative angiography, both obtained in each patient.
Results: endografting was successfully completed in 35 patients (95%). Primary conversion to open repair was necessary in 2 patients (5%). Postoperative 30-day mortality rate was 11% (4 deaths). No patient developed postoperative temporary or permanent paraplegia. In 2 patients (5%) primary endoleaks required overstenting and in 6 patients (16%) secondary surgical interventions were required. Mean follow-up was 19 months (1-70 months); three deaths occurred within three months postoperatively (1-year survival rate 81+/-6%). In one case, secondary conversion to open repair was necessary 14 months postoperatively.
Conclusion: the feasibility of endoluminal repair of the ruptured aorta has been demonstrated. Endoluminal treatment may reduce morbidity and mortality, and may in time become the procedure of choice in certain centres. However, further follow-up is required to determine the long-term efficacy.
Copyright 2002 Harcourt Publishers Limited.