How to Manage Aortic Arch Complications after Stenting of the Descending Aorta

Introduction

Stent grafting of the descending thoracic aorta in patients with aneurysms or complicated type B dissection is a promising, less invasive alternative to open surgical repair. Mortality and morbidity rates have been reported to be lower compared with an open surgical approach [[1]]. Despite such encouraging reports, early and late complications do occur. In particular, erroneous stent positioning in the aortic arch area can be a disastrous complication if the aortic lumen or supra-aortic vessels are obstructed. Once the stent has been deployed, it is nearly impossible to correct the stent position by interventional methods. On the basis of three cases, we present our surgical strategy to treat different stent-related aortic arch complications.

References

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