How should we treat uncomplicated subacute type B aortic dissection in octogenarians?

BACKGROUND: Preemptive thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is an advanced treatment that has possibility to improve late outcomes in patients with subacute type B aortic dissection. However, it may not be the treatment of choice for elderly patients with uncomplicated subacute type B aortic dissection because of their inherent frailty and increased risk of periprocedural complications. METHODS: Data were collected between July 2004 and October 2017 in Yamagata university hospital and between February 2016 and May 2018 in Nihonkai General hospital. A total of 152 medically treated subacute type B aortic dissection patients were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into two groups: age 80 year and older group (Group O, n = 33, 22%) and a group < 80 years of age (Group U, n = 119, 78%). RESULTS: During follow-up, the incidence of adverse events was 27% (n = 9) in Group O and 37% (n = 44) in Group U (P = 0.409). The incidence of aortic rupture was 3% (n = 1), and the incidence of acute type A dissection was 3% (n = 1) in Group O. In Group O, only one patient (3%) died of aorto-bronchial fistula. The Group O patients had less surgical intervention (3 patients [9%] in Group O and 30 patients [25%] in Group U, P = 0.047), but aortic related death did not differ between the two groups. The 1-, 2-, and 5-year freedom from aorta-related death rates of Group O were 97, 97, and 97%, respectively, compared with 99, 94, and 91%, respectively, in Group U (P = 0.880). CONCLUSIONS: Patients aged 80 years and older who underwent medical treatment for acute and subacute type B dissection had excellent outcomes in chronic phase. The elderly patients had less surgical intervention, but aortic related death did not differ from younger patients.