Thoracic endovascular aortic repair as emergency therapy despite suspected aortic infection

Publication

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair as emergency therapy despite suspected aortic infection

Journal Paper/Review - Jan 3, 2013

Stellmes Arno, von Allmen Regula, Derungs Urs, Dick Florian, Makaloski Vladimir, Do Dai-Do, Schmidli Jürg, Czerny Martin

Citation

Stellmes A, von Allmen R, Derungs U, Dick F, Makaloski V, Do D, Schmidli J, Czerny M. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair as emergency therapy despite suspected aortic infection. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg 2013; 16:459-64.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg 2013; 16

Publication Date

Jan 3, 2013

Issn Electronic

1569-9285

Pages

459-64

Brief description/objective

OBJECTIVES
To evaluate thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) as emergency therapy despite suspected aortic infection.

METHODS
Within a 5-year period, we treated 6 patients with a strategy of primary TEVAR despite suspected aortic infection in patients with symptomatic or already ruptured thoracic aortic pathology.

RESULTS
In-hospital mortality was 16.7%. The reason for death was septic multiorgan failure. During follow-up, 2 patients were converted to secondary open surgery in a stable elective setting. The median follow-up was 42.5 months. All surviving patients are not receiving continuing antibiotic therapy. Freedom from infection is 100% to date.

CONCLUSIONS
TEVAR as emergency therapy despite suspected aortic infection is feasible and may well serve as a definite treatment option in selected cases. As recurring infection cannot be entirely excluded, life-long clinical and morphological surveillance remains mandatory.