ABSTRACT
Background
Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) represents a therapeutic concept for type B aortic dissection. Long-term outcomes and morphology after TEVAR for uncomplicated dissection are unknown.
Methods and ResultsA total of 140 patients with stable type B aortic dissection previously randomized to optimal medical treatment and TEVAR (n = 72) versus optimal medical treatment alone (n = 68) were analyzed retrospectively for aorta-specific, all-cause outcomes, and disease progression using landmark statistical analysis of years 2 to 5 after index procedure. Cox regression was used to compare outcomes between groups; all analyses are based on intention to treat. The risk of all-cause mortality (11.1% vs. 19.3%; P = 0.13), aorta-specific mortality (6.9% vs. 19.3%; P = 0.04), and progression (27.0% vs. 46.1%; P = 0.04) after 5 years was lower with TEVAR than with optimal medical treatment alone. Landmark analysis suggested a benefit of TEVAR for all endpoints between 2 and 5 years; for example, for all-cause mortality (0% vs. 16.9%; P = 0.0003), aorta-specific mortality (0% vs. 16.9%; P = 0.0005), and for progression (4.1% vs. 28.1%; P = 0.004); Landmarking at 1 year and 1 month revealed consistent findings. Both improved survival and less progression of disease at 5 years after elective TEVAR were associated with stent graft induced false lumen thrombosis in 90.6% of cases (P < 0.0001).
ConclusionsIn this study of survivors of type B aortic dissection, TEVAR in addition to optimal medical treatment is associated with improved 5-year aorta-specific survival and delayed disease progression. In stable type B dissection with suitable anatomy, preemptive TEVAR should be considered to improve late outcome.
