Emerging Trends in the Care of Type B Aortic Dissections

Aortic dissection is the most common of the acute aortic syndromes. Acute aortic dissection remains a highly morbid and potentially lethal condition despite contemporary advances in medical and surgical care. Type B aortic dissection (TBAD) is classified as uncomplicated, uncomplicated with high-risk features, and complicated. The role of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in uncomplicated TBAD remains uncertain and is the topic of ongoing clinical trials. In most complicated cases, TEVAR is effective at restoring visceral and extremity blood flow. TEVAR has also been shown to arrest hemorrhage in the setting of thoracic aortic rupture. TEVAR has been demonstrated to induce satisfactory remodeling in the covered segment of the thoracic aorta, but progressive enlargement of the visceral aorta has led to a variety of techniques designed to promote remodeling in the uncovered aortic segment. There is a need to better define high-risk features so that treatment can be tailored to specific clinical conditions.