Emergency Thoracic Endovascular Aneurysm Repair in Acute Type B Dissection with Visceral Malperfusion

Abstract

A 46-year-old female patient was admitted to the emergency room with the sudden onset of abdominal pain, back pain, and paresthesia in the right leg. An emergent chest computed tomography (CT) showed an acute Type B aortic dissection. An emergency thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) procedure was subsequently performed, for an evolving visceral malperfusion syndrome. We performed the procedure using an axillary approach because the small diameter of the true lumen precluded transfemoral endovascular access. This case illustrates that TEVAR permits the treatment of complicated acute Type B aortic dissection; specifically, technical variations can expand the applicability of endovascular procedures.

Key Words

Emergency TEVAR - Acute type B dissection - Visceral malperfusion

Introduction

Acute Type B aortic dissection (ATBAD) is a life-threatening condition. Open chest surgical repair using a prosthetic graft has been a conventional treatment for ATBAD. During the past decade, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), which is considered a less invasive and potentially safer technique, has been increasingly used to treat this condition[1].

A 46-year-old female patient was admitted at our institution with ATBAD. We are reporting a clinically successful result from the TEVAR used for distal malperfusion syndrome that occurred as a consequence of the dissection. A particular technique was necessary. True lumen flow was immediately restored following stent graft deployment in the descending aorta, with subsequent resolution of the distal malperfusion syndrome.

Clinical Case

A 46-year-old female patient was admitted to the emergency room of our hospital with the sudden onset of abdominal pain, back pain, and right leg weakness. At the time of presentation, blood pressure, heart rate, and O₂ saturation were 185/100 mm Hg, 61 beats/min, and 100%, respectively. A cyanotic pulseless right lower extremity and diminished bowel sound were physically notable.

An emergent chest computed tomography (CT) was performed under the suspicion of an acute aortic dissection, which showed an acute Type B aortic dissection, starting just distal to the left subclavian artery and extending to the terminal aorta. The pressurized false lumen encroached on the central true lumen of the abdominal aorta; the superior mesenteric artery was arising from the true lumen, the right renal artery was arising at the turn of the two lumens and the inferior left renal artery from the false lumen ([Fig. 1]); indeed, the true lumens of the superior left renal and inferior mesenteric artery were compressed by the false lumen.

Figure 1. Pre-operative CT scan. The white arrow indicates the virtual true lumen at the level of the celiac trunk.

An emergency TEVAR procedure was subsequently performed, for an evolving visceral malperfusion syndrome, to close the proximal entry site, relieve the aortic false lumen pressure, and reestablish central lumen flow.

The patient was transferred to an angiographic interventional room. The patient underwent general anesthesia, and a standard cut-down over the right femoral artery and percutaneous left axillary access were performed. We attempted to advance the guide wire into the iliac side branch from the right femoral access, but this maneuver failed because of the virtual dimensions of the true lumen. For this reason, a soft wire was advanced retrogradely via the axillary artery and then anterogradely down the aorta into the right iliac artery. Then, the soft wire was snared by a wire-loop, which carried the soft wire in the femoral artery ([Fig. 2]). Using this approach, we were able to advance one tapered Relay NBS 30-26X150 (Bolton Medical Inc. Sunrise, Florida, USA and Barcelona, Spain) stent-graft from the right femoral access into the descending aorta through the true lumen. We positioned the graft from the origin of the left subclavian artery (partially covered) to the distal descending thoracic aorta. Immediate intraoperative postprocedural aortography showed restoration of central true lumen flow and enhanced flow to the visceral vessels.

Figure 2. CT scan showing the directions in which the wires were passed.

Prior to discharge, a follow-up CT showed the TEVAR procedure was successful by indicating a good restoration of the central aortic true lumen ([Fig. 3]) and visceral artery patency ([Fig. 4]); particularly, the right renal artery was arising entirely from the true lumen and the left superior renal artery and inferior mesenteric artery were no longer compressed by the false lumen. Although the left inferior renal artery was still arising from the false lumen, the kidney showed excellent dye enhancement without the need for postoperative hemodialysis.

Figure 3. Postoperative CT scan. The white arrow indicates the virtual true lumen at the level of the celiac trunk.

Figure 4. At 30 days follow-up, CT showing the correct placement of stent graft.

Discussion

TEVAR, initially developed for the treatment of degenerative aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta, has been applied to the entire spectrum of descending thoracic aortic pathology in both the elective and emergent settings. According to Mitchell et al.[2], TEVAR could become the treatment of choice for acute surgical emergencies involving the descending thoracic aorta, including acute complicated Type B dissection. The role of TEVAR in the management of this pathology consists in covering the entry tear during the acute phase, inducing false lumen thrombosis, and possibly preventing late aneurysm formation. Indeed, as reported by Conrad et al.[3], TEVAR for acute complicated aortic dissection appears to promote early aortic remodeling, and nearly 90% of patients maintained at least partial false lumen thrombosis at 1 year.

Because TEVAR eliminates the basic elements of surgical intervention (i.e. thoracotomy, left heart bypass, aortic cross-clamping, and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest), this new therapeutic modality is believed to lower the risks of morbidity and mortality in descending thoracic aortic aneurysm, traumatic aortic rupture, and type B aortic dissection. Related to this, in contrast to high mortality of open surgery for thoracic aortic catastrophes, including traumatic aortic injury, excellent short-term outcomes following TEVAR have recently been reported[4] [5].

Many individuals who are candidates for TEVAR are found to have iliac artery anatomy and/or pathology that may preclude a transfemoral endovascular surgical approach. Imaginative alternate surgical access through more proximal arteries may be necessary and fruitful. Indeed, with inadequate true lumen iliac artery dimension, an axillary endovascular approach permits this technique for safe implantation of a stent graft in the descending aorta—as illustrated in this case.

In conclusion, TEVAR permits the treatment of complicated acute descending aortic dissection, with efficiency and security. Importantly, technical tips and tricks, such as the technique described in this report, can expand the applicability of endovascular technology to descending aortic dissection.

• References

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