Endovascular graft exclusion with digital subtraction angiography for treatment of Stanford type B aortic dissection

OBJECTIVE: To assess value of endovascular graft exclusion (EVGE) with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in the treatment of Stanford type B aortic dissection (AD). METHODS: On the basis of diagnosis with multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT), DSA was performed in 20 Stanford B AD cases for further diagnostic confirmation and EVGE was conducted for treatment. The DSA findings of the cases and the therapeutic effect of EVGE were evaluated. RESULTS: In the 20 cases of Stanford type B AD, altogether 22 stents were implanted during EVGF with a stent release success rate of 100%. Postoperative examination revealed no obvious leakage or false lumen in 15 cases, and death occurred in 1 case 6 days after the operation due to right renal hemorrhage and infection, and the rest 19 patients were cured and discharged. Follow-up of the patients demonstrated improvement in the clinical symptoms, and MSCT showed that all the dissections were sealed successfully. No severe complications were observed 3 months after the treatment in these patients. CONCLUSION: DSA can identify the fine anatomy of AD and allowed intraoperative monitoring in EVGE, which is an effective and safe means for treatment of Stanford type B AD.