Endovascular treatment of traumatic dissection of the thoracic aorta – series of 16 cases

BACKGROUND: Aortic injuries caused by blunt chest traumas have high pre-hospital and emergency mortality. The endovascular approach is one option for treatment of these injuries, but many outcomes related to this approach remain unknown. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to describe a specialist trauma center’s experience with endovascular treatment of cases like these. METHODS: This is a descriptive study based on review of the electronic medical records of patients who had suffered from blunt thoracic aorta trauma and were seen at a hospital specializing in trauma cases in the city of Curitiba (Paraná, Brazil). RESULTS: Sixteen patients were included in the study. All patients were traffic accident victims and 75% of the accidents were the result of vehicle collisions. Aortic lesions ranged from grade I to IV and the majority had grade II lesions (50%). All patients underwent endovascular treatment with endografts, an average of 71 hours after the trauma. Two patients died, both from causes unrelated to their aortic injuries. During follow-up, only two patients presented complications (endoleak and progression of the dissection). CONCLUSIONS: The endovascular method is a viable alternative for treatment of blunt trauma thoracic aortic injuries. Randomized and controlled studies are needed to provide evidence to support indication of this method to treat this type of injury.