The efficacy of immediate bridging thoracic endovascular aortic repair for ruptured infected thoracic aortic aneurysms

Abstract

Herein we describe four cases of ruptured infected thoracic aortic aneurysm. All patients underwent emergent thoracic endovascular aortic repair to stabilize hemodynamics. After controlling infection, stent graft removal and in situ reconstruction with radical debridement were performed in all but one case. All patients survived during the median 31-month follow-up period, and only one exhibited infection reactivation, which occurred 294 days after initial endoaortic repair. That particular patient underwent open repair. The current cases suggest that emergent bridging endovascular repair for ruptured infected thoracic aortic aneurysm is feasible and, after controlling infection, open repair should be performed as soon as possible. Keywords: Aortic aneurysm, Aortic rupture, Endovascular procedure, Infection control