Novel Endovascular Treatment of Blunt Thoracic Aortic Trauma with a Self-Expanding Stent Lined with Aortic Extender Cuffs

Abstract

We report the successful treatment of blunt thoracic aortic trauma with a self-expanding stent lined with commercially available aortic extender cuffs. A 24 x 70 mm Wallstent was positioned distal to the left subclavian artery via a left femoral approach. The stent was then lined with three overlapping Gore Excluder aortic extender cuffs. Intravascular ultrasound was performed pre- and post-deployment. The aortic pseudoaneurysm was successfully excluded. The self-expanding stent facilitated placement of the extender cuffs and improved the contact between the multiple cuffs. This technique could still have utility in emergency settings when approved thoracic endografts are available for this indication.