Covered or Not, Here I Come: Stanford Type B Aortic Dissection Repair With a Covered and Uncovered Stent Hybrid Technique

The complications resulting from aortic dissections are often devastating. Historically, when a Stanford B aortic dissection extended into the visceral abdominal aorta, only surgical management was considered to limit visceral organ malperfusion. Complications of surgical management for Stanford B aortic dissections are as high as 50%. The inherently high complication and mortality rate for any acute aortic dissection, in addition to the complication rates resulting from surgical management, have demonstrated poor outcomes. This is especially true when aortic dissections involve the visceral segment, where thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) becomes limited or contraindicated. In the last two decades, various approaches for TEVAR have improved in both endograft design and interventional technique. The current literature demonstrates improved outcomes for patients that receive TEVAR for Stanford B aortic dissections, including those that involve the visceral segment. Despite favorable prognostic advancement in TEVAR, the proven management complexity of Stanford B aortic dissections continue to reflect the pitfalls of the endovascular devices that are currently available. We describe a covered and uncovered stent hybrid technique in patients with complicated Stanford B aortic dissections involving the visceral segment, considering these deficiencies. Hundred percent technical success was demonstrated in the short and mid-term surveillance periods.