Use of a Balloon-expandable Intravascular Graft in the Management of Type B Aortic Dissection in an Animal Model

Purpose To evaluate obliteration of an experimental aortic dissection with a balloon-expandable intravascular stent. Materials and Methods Fourteen adult dogs were divided into two groups. In group 1 ( n = 6), a thoracoabdominal aortic dissection was surgically created to observe the natural course of this lesion. In group 2 ( n = 8), a balloon-expandable intraluminal vascular graft was introduced via the femoral artery in a dissected aorta to try to obliterate the dissection. Angiography was performed post-operatively and again 6 weeks later before the aortae were explanted for pathologic evaluation. Results In group 1, postoperative aortography depicted evidence of aortic dissection in all animals. Autopsy revealed persisting dissection with reentry tear near the celiac axis in five animals. In group 2, placement of a stent at only entry and reentry sites resulted in partial obliteration of the dissection ( n = 3). When the entire length of dissected aorta was treated, the dissection was completely obliterated ( n = 4). Conclusion An aortic dissection can be obliterated with a balloon-expandable stent if the entire dissected aorta is treated.