Safety and Efficacy of TEVAR Combined With Long Bare-metal Stents in the Intervention of ATBAD

Overview

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the TEVAR combined with extended bare-metal stenting (distal landing zone ≥2 cm below renal arteries) in patients with acute complicated type B aortic dissection (ATBAD). Additionally, to prevent postoperative true lumen hypoperfusion in residual thoracoabdominal aortic dissection (visceral zone, infrarenal aorta, and iliac arteries) and persistent ischemic manifestations in visceral and lower extremity arteries post-endovascular repair, extended bare-metal stents are deployed to maintain adequate distal true lumen patency. This strategy ensures perfusion to visceral branches and lower limbs while preparing for future complete endovascular aortic repair.

Stanford type B aortic dissection (TBAD) accounts for 25-40% of all aortic dissections, characterized by acute onset, rapid progression, and high mortality, representing a critical cardiovascular emergency. While thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) remains the standard intervention for TBAD, its benefits on true lumen remodeling and false lumen thrombosis are primarily limited to the stent-graft covered segment. Distal to the stent-graft, persistent re-entry tears in thoracoabdominal arteries convert preoperative exit sites into new entry points. Although TEVAR improves true lumen perfusion distal to the stent-graft, remodeling efficacy remains suboptimal, particularly in cases with preoperative true lumen collapse where post-TEVAR true lumen dimensions remain critically compressed by large false lumen volumes. Currently deployed stent-grafts typically measure 15-20 cm in length. Conventional TEVAR requires ≥1.5 cm proximal healthy aortic segment as landing zone to prevent retrograde type A dissection (RTAD) and ensure stability. For patients with inadequate proximal landing zones (\<1.5 cm), advanced techniques including branched stent-grafts, fenestrations, and parallel grafting have enabled TEVAR implementation even with ≤0.5 cm landing zones, facilitated by evolving device technologies and operator expertise. The "TEVAR+bare-stent" hybrid approach theoretically enhances aortic remodeling through reduced radial force. However, standard TEVAR typically deploys single stent-grafts at the proximal descending aortic tear. Extended stent-graft coverage beyond celiac axis level risks visceral artery occlusion, making maintenance of distal organ and limb perfusion an enduring challenge. Moreover, residual distal thoracoabdominal dissection carries risks of false lumen aneurysmal degeneration and rupture, particularly \>5 years post-TEVAR. Secondary interventions for chronic residual dissections are complicated by intimal calcification from prolonged false lumen hypertension, combined with chronic hypoxia and inflammation that compromise aortic wall integrity. Persistent false lumen expansion and rupture in residual thoracoabdominal dissection are observed in 23-35% of conventional TEVAR cases, particularly affecting young-to-middle-aged patients with suboptimal blood pressure control beyond 5-year follow-up. Technical challenges in secondary visceral branch reconstruction further compromise long-term quality of life. Therefore, post-endovascular true lumen remodeling in thoracoabdominal segments warrants particular attention, as aortic remodeling constitutes a crucial determinant of therapeutic success beyond procedural technique alone. This study aims to validate the feasibility and safety of proximal stent-graft plus extended distal bare-metal stenting in thoracoabdominal aorta, compare its efficacy with conventional TEVAR, and characterize its impacts on aortic remodeling and subsequent visceral/distal arterial reconstruction. We anticipate this research will provide critical clinical evidence for managing residual thoracoabdominal dissection after acute TBAD repair. Using imaging-based analysis and clinical follow-up, this study will compare: (1) conventional TEVAR vs. (2) hybrid proximal stent-graft + extended distal bare-stent strategies in terms of morphological remodeling, adverse events, and long-term outcomes. The findings may elucidate differential impacts on aortic reconstruction and visceral/iliac revascularization, offering evidence-based guidance for managing distal dissection in acute TBAD.