Emergency endovascular repair of acute descending thoracic aortic dissection

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Authors: Muhammad Anees Sharif, Mark Edward O’Donnell, Paul Henry Blair, Peter Kennedy

Published Date November 2007 Volume 2007:3(5) Pages 769 - 773

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/VHRM.S

Muhammad Anees Sharif, Mark Edward O’Donnell, Paul Henry Blair, Peter Kennedy

Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Royal Victoria Hospital, Grosvenor Road, Belfast, BT12 6BA, United Kingdom

Background: Acute descending thoracic aortic dissection is a life-threatening emergency. It is not often considered as the initial diagnosis in patients presenting with epigastric pain and could easily be missed in a busy casualty department.

Aim: This case report is aimed to highlight the feasibility of the technique and the need for long-term surveillance following endovascular repair of acute thoracic aortic dissection.

Results: The patient presented with epigastric pain radiating to the interscapular region with a stable hemodynamic status. A computerized tomography (CT) scan demonstrated type B thoracic aortic dissection of the proximal descending thoracic aorta. A successful endovascular repair was carried out with uneventful recovery and follow-up CT scan six years after stent-grafting shows satisfactory position of the stent-graft, patent false lumen in the abdominal aorta perfusing the right kidney, and progressively enlarging diameter of the abdominal aorta.

Conclusion: Thoracic aortic dissection should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients presenting with epigastric and interscapular chest pain. Emergency endovascular repair of acute thoracic aortic dissection is feasible and relatively safe. Regular follow-up with CT scan is required to evaluate the long-term effi cacy and identify the need for re-intervention.

Keywords: aortic, dissection, endovascular, thoracic

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