Outcomes of abdominal false lumen embolization for chronic aortic dissection after prior proximal repair with stent-graft

Background: Persistent false lumen (FL) perfusion with aneurysmal formation is common after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for typical extended aortic dissection and is associated with poor outcomes. Endovascular FL embolization (FLE) has recently been tried for treatment of postdissection aortic aneurysm (PDAA). However, most reports address thoracic rather than abdominal FLE. In this study, we present the results of abdominal FLE in patients with residual patent abdominal FL following stent-graft repair for aortic dissection. Methods: Between 2015 and 2019, 24 patients (mean age: 56.7 ± 11.8 years, range: 40-84 years, 18 male) received endovascular abdominal FLE using vascular plugs, coils, or candy plugs as the main surgery (5 patients) or auxiliary procedure (19 patients) after earlier stent-graft repair for aortic dissection (Type A: 9, Type B: 15). The medical records were reviewed and aortic remodeling was examined comparing the preembolization computed tomography (CT) and the most recent CT before reintervention. Results: Technical success was achieved without any intraoperative complications, early morbidity, or mortality. Median follow-up was 34.4 months (range: 12-71). Regarding thoracic FL, 15 patients exhibited complete thrombosis before the procedure and did not change status thereafter except for 1 patient with distal stent-graft-induced new entry. In the other 9 patients, 6 exhibited increased thrombosis. With regard to the abdominal aorta, increased FL thrombosis only occurred in 8 patients with 3 (12.5%) achieving complete thrombosis. The maximal thoracic aortic diameter did not change (1.4 ± 5.6 mm) statistically, but the abdominal diameter increased significantly (4.3 ± 3.7 mm, p < 0.005). Conclusion: From our results, abdominal FLE is a safe procedure. However, covering all the re-entry tears is complex and the possibility of complete FL thrombosis is low. The abdominal aortic diameter appears to become enlarged in these patients. Continuous follow-up is necessary after FLE.