Hybrid Repair of Type II Dissecting Thoracoabdominal Aneurysm Using Amplatzer Vascular Plugs for Entry Tear Closure

Endovascular repair of chronic aortic dissections (CAD) intend to promote false lumen thrombosis (FLT). This article describes a technique using Amplatzer vascular plugs (AVPs) for entry tear closure of CAD. A 70-year-old man presented with a type II dissecting thoracoabdominal aneurysm. Computed tomography scan showed a very tight true lumen, partial FLT, and 2 entry tears at the level of the left subclavian artery and the visceral aorta, respectively. During a first procedure, aortic debranching was performed using the ascending aorta as bypass inflow. In a second intervention entry tears were closed using AVPs protected by short stent grafts. Technical success was achieved. No paraplegia occurred. Eighteen months later, FLT was complete and aortic diameter decreased. Entry tear closure using AVPs is feasible and allows FLT. Further reports are needed to determine if stent-graft protection of AVPs is mandatory, which may simplify technical aspects of the procedure.