Multiple reports could show a reduced risk for thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) compared with open treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate our twelve-year TEVAR experience for thoracic aortic aneurysms and compare these results with open repair. All patients who had received either open or endovascular surgery for a degenerative aortic aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta in our center were evaluated retrospectively. N = 53 TEVAR patients (1997–2008) were included and their course was compared with an open-surgery group of n = 24 patients (1992–2002). The percentage of symptomatic patients was 43% (TEVAR) and 42% (open surgery). Endovascular treatment resulted in a significantly reduced 30-day (5.7% versus 25% P = 0.02) and one-year mortality (19% versus 42% P = 0.05) in the entire cohort. Symptomatic patients benefited the most from TEVAR (30-day mortality: 9% versus 40%, P = 0.06; one-year mortality: 27% versus 70%, P = 0.049) whereas the survival of our asymptomatic patients was not significantly different (30-day mortality: 3% versus 14%, P = 0.22; one-year mortality: 13% versus 21%, P = 0.65). Lastly, Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a significantly improved survival after TEVAR ( P = 0.05) and in particular for the symptomatic patients ( P = 0.003). In conclusion, endovascular treatment for patients with degenerative thoracic aortic aneurysms has significant advantages over open surgery.
Endovascular Treatment of Late Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms after Surgical Repair of Congenital Aortic Coarctation in Childhood