Balloon expandable covered stents as primary therapy for hemodynamically stable traumatic aortic injuries in children.

Abstract

To expand on the limited available literature regarding the use of balloon expandable covered stents for the treatment of traumatic aortic injuries (TAI) in the pediatric population. Although endovascular grafts have largely replaced surgery for TAI repair, there are significant limitations to the use of these grafts in pediatric patients. Multicenter, retrospective chart review of pediatric patients with TAI following blunt chest wall trauma. Procedural characteristics, follow-up, and reinterventions are described. Six covered stents implanted in five patients. Median patient age was 12 years (11-13 years) and median weight 50 kg (44-54 kg). Procedural success was achieved in all cases. No procedural or postprocedural complications were noted. Median follow-up time was 24 months (11-36 months). Balloon expandable covered stent treatment of pediatric patients with TAI is a feasible alternative to open surgical repair, and preferred over endovascular grafts due to graft size limitations and the large delivery systems.