Clinical Outcomes and Factors Associated With Aortic Shrinkage After Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Aneurysmal Chronic Aortic Dissection.

Purpose: The effectiveness of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for chronic aortic dissection (AD) with aneurysmal degeneration remains controversial. We retrospectively investigated clinical outcomes and assessed predictors of aortic shrinkage after TEVAR for chronic aneurysmal AD.

Materials and methods: Between January 2010 and December 2021, 70 patients with double-barrel-type chronic AD were enrolled. Major intimal tears in thoracic aorta were covered by stent graft. Early and late clinical outcomes, and diameter change of downstream aorta during follow-up period were reviewed. Subsequently, factors associated with aortic shrinkage were assessed by logistic regression analysis.

Results: Mean age was 63 (interquartile range [IQR]: 54-68) years, 54 (80%) men, median duration from AD onset was 4 (IQR: 1-10) years, and maximum aortic diameter was 53 (IQR: 49-58) mm. Supra-aortic debranching procedure was required in 57 (81%) patients. Early aorta-related death occurred in 2 (3%) patients. Both stroke and spinal cord ischemia occurred in 1 (2%) patient. Five-year freedom rates from aorta-related death and reintervention were 96% and 51%, respectively. Sixty-four patients underwent follow-up computed tomography (84%) 1 year after TEVAR, with 33 (52%) achieving aortic shrinkage. In multivariable analysis, duration from AD onset (per year) (odds ratio [OR]: 0.82, 0.70-0.97; p=0.017) and maximum aortic-diameter ratio between aortic arch and descending aorta (per 0.1) (morphologic index; OR: 1.34, 1.04-1.74; p=0.023) were independent aortic shrinkage predictors.

Conclusions: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair for chronic AD with aneurysmal degeneration achieved satisfactory survival outcomes, but with a considerable reintervention rate. Duration from AD onset and preoperative aortic morphology could affect post-TEVAR aortic shrinkage. Earlier intervention could lead to better aortic shrinkage.Clinical ImpactThoracic endovascular aortic repair for chronic aortic dissection with aneurysmal degeneration showed low incidence of early and late aorta-related death. By contrast, aortic shrinkage rate was low with high incidence of reintervention to the residual downstream aorta. According to the assessment of preoperative variables, chronicity and aortic morphology could predict postoperative aortic shrinkage.