Optimal management strategy for spontaneous isolated dissection of a visceral artery

Objectives To describe our clinical experiences and recommend a management strategy for spontaneous isolated dissection of a visceral artery. Methods A retrospective study of patients from December 2005 to December 2015 was performed. Thirty-two patients had spontaneous isolated dissection of a visceral artery. Clinical features, computed tomography findings, the treatment method, and follow-up results were evaluated. Results There were 28 men and 4 women (mean age, 54 years). Dissection locations were the celiac artery in 10, superior mesenteric artery in 17, and celiac artery and superior mesenteric artery in 5 patients. Celiac artery stenosis existed with spontaneous isolated dissection of a visceral artery at a high rate. After diagnosis, the blood pressure of all patients was immediately controlled to a lower level. Three patients with arterial rupture and one patient with bowel infarction underwent operations for complications. Overall, the treatment of dissection involved drug therapy alone. The last follow-up computed tomography results of the true lumen residual ratio and the length of the dissected artery improved compared to the values on admission; the maximum diameter of the dissected artery did not enlarge. Eleven patients almost completely improved. No patients had any adverse event. Conclusions Most patients with spontaneous isolated dissection of a visceral artery can be first treated conservatively for dissection with strict blood pressure control and surveillance.