Management of a Compromised Frozen Elephant Trunk Due to Acute Type B Aortic Dissection

Abstract

Purpose: To report a case who required a thoracic endovascular stenting (TEVAR) following the deployment of frozen elephant trunk due to false lumen expansion.

Case report: A 47 years old male patient undergone emergency repair of acute type A aortic dissection in 2011 with bioprosthetic aortic root conduit. Seven years later he presented with moderate aortic valve disease and expanding chronic dissection of the aortic arch, therefore a redo operation with replacement of the prosthetic aortic valve, ascending aorta, total arch and deployment of frozen elephant trunk and he was discharged in good health. Several days post discharge he presented with new onset of chest pain and a new dissection involved the thoracoabdominal aorta was noted pressing on the true lumen and the frozen elephant trunk. Following a multi-disciplinary team meeting, TEVAR was deemed as a most appropriate approach and this was achieved successfully, and patient was discharged. At 1 year of follow up, he remains well and asymptomatic.

Conclusion: Close imaging follow-up following deployment of a FET is mandatory. A new acute Type B aortic dissection distal to the FET, that causes false lumen propagation parallel to the stented portion, is a surgical emergency and further intervention mandated.

Keywords: Type B dissection; endovascular stenting; frozen elephant trunk; thoracic aorta stent.