[Choice of optimal treatment policy in patients with descending aortic dissection]

Contemporary approaches to treatment of patients with dissection of the descending aorta (DA), as well as the data of international registries and guidelines are contradictory. The endovascular method of treatment of patients with descending aortic dissection has been recognized to be revolutionary. However, there seems to be no commonly accepted concept concerning appropriate use of currently available techniques of treating patients with DA dissection. This study was aimed at analysing the experience gained in using various methods of treatment of patients with descending aortic dissection (DAD). We retrospectively examined the results of surgical treatment of 78 patients with DAD. Of these, 45 patients were found to have Stanford type B dissection and 33 patients had type A dissection, who underwent treatment during ten years from January 2008. The decision concerning the type of care for patients with DAD (conservative, surgical, endovascular or combined methods of treatment) directly depends on the patient's state stability, technical feasibility of the intended procedure, and the presence of concomitant pathology. The findings obtained in our study demonstrated better immediate outcomes of the endovascular approach compared with the hybrid and surgical ones. In order to achieve complete haemodynamic correction of the pathology, to minimize the risk of aortic remodelling and the development of aorta-related complications, the treatment should not be limited to endoprosthetic repair of the thoracic portion of the DA with a stent graft, but should rather be supplemented with stenting of more distal segments, including with uncoated stents at the level of the visceral branches. Only such staged approach may provide better conditions for obliteration of the aortic false lumen and formation of a 'neo-frame' of the aortic wall.