[Endovascular treatment of descending thoracic aorta aneurysm]

Abstract

Background: The natural history of aneurysms ends in rupture and death. In 1990 the first endovascular exclusion of an aneurysm, using an endoluminal graft implanted through the femoral arteries was performed. More recently, the same procedure has been used for aneurysms of the thoracic aorta.

Aim: To report our experience with endovascular treatment of thoracic aorta aneurysms.

Material and methods: Analysis of 14 patients (nine male), aged 30 to 79 years, treated between May 2001 and August 2002.

Results: The mean diameter of the aneurysms was 6.9 cm. The etiology was atherosclerotic in nine patients. The Excluder device (Gore) was preferentially used. There was no operative mortality or paraplegia. One patient had a transient leg monoparesis that reverted completely. No patient had type I endoleaks. Two patients had type II endoleaks on discharge, that sealed spontaneously. In a follow up, ranging from 2 to 17 months, one patient died of a bronchopneumonia and no aneurysm rupture has been detected.

Conclusions: The short term results of endoluminal treatment of thoracic aorta aneurysms are excellent. This treatment is less invasive and has less complications than conventional surgery.