Endovascular treatment of acute aortic dissection: indications, techniques and results

Acute aortic dissection is the commonest life-threatening event involving the aorta. Endovascular solutions have revolutionised the treatment of this pathology. This article describes the optimal management of acute dissection, through primary medical management, planning endovascular solutions, technique of stent-graft deployment, adjuncts to endovascular therapy and future developments. It reports the current evidence for improved outcomes with endovascular management and explores the challenges that increasing application of this technology will face.