Endovascular Treatment (EVT) of Acute Traumatic Lesions of the Descending Thoracic Aorta – 7 Years' Experience

Representative images of stentgraft behaviour after 2, 5 and 7 years. Top series: stentgraft after 2 years from implantation, Middle series: after 5 years, and Bottom series: after 7 years. Note that stent configuration depends on complete (middle, bottom) or incomplete (top) aortic rupture/transection. In complete transection (bottom) oversized stentgrafts may open to full size at the level of transection with no unfavourable sequel observed so far.

Discoaxial non-centered malposition of a 26mm Xenith-X2 in a 20mm aorta. The stentgraft at the inner curve is disattached and protrudes into the lumen. No improvement of alignment could be achieved by repeated balloon expansions of the stentgraft.

Compression of stentgraft by the systolic jet and infolding of its' inner-curvature. Large thrombus mass within the stentgraft leads to total aortic flow obstruction.

Central overstenting by a 31×100 TAG Excluder reinforces the proximal stent and keeps it open; Note: both stentgrafts are congruent at the proximal end.

Cumulative survival rate (Kaplan-Maier) for EVT of ATL.