Percutaneous transluminal intervention and antiplatelet therapy following endovascular graft exclusion for Stanford B thoracic aortic dissection

ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and feasibility of percutaneous coronary intervention and antiplatelet therapy in patients who have undergone endovascular graft exclusion.MethodsFrom January 2005 to July 2007, percutaneous transluminal intervention (PCI) was performed in 13 patients who had undergone endovascular graft exclusion for the treatment of either acute or chronic Stanford B aortic dissection. Anticoagulant and antiplatelet treatments were administered according to the standard protocol. Patients were followed up for a mean period of 11 months. Clinical characteristics, false lumen thrombosis and angiographic data were collected.ResultsPCI was technically successful in all 13 patients and no severe complications, including death, paraplegia or renal failure occurred during hospitalization. Complete false lumen thrombosis was observed in all patients within 6 months. There were no major complications such as death, dissection rupture, or aneurysm development during the follow-up period.ConclusionOur data suggested that PCI and standard antiplatelet therapy are feasible and safe in patients who have undergone endovascular stent graft exclusion for Stanford B aortic dissection.