The rationale for a randomized trial for uncomplicated Type B aortic dissection

Uncomplicated Type B aortic dissection (uTBAD) treatment is changing, and the evidence driving this change is scarce. The decision to offer upfront thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) or medical therapy varies significantly among providers, driven more by individual preference than scientific evidence. The IMPROVE-AD trial is a randomized, multidisciplinary, prospective, controlled, superiority trial designed to compare treatment efficacy; functional outcomes; quality of life; and costs in patients with uTBAD undergoing upfront TEVAR or medical therapy with selective TEVAR for deterioration during follow-up. In all, 60 clinical sites in the United States and Canada will enroll 1,100 patients with uTBAD, who are candidates for both treatment options and randomized in a 1:1 ratio. The primary efficacy endpoint of the trial is all-cause mortality and major aortic complications at 4 years. The IMPROVE-AD trial is the only ongoing North America-based large pragmatic trial comparing upfront TEVAR to medical therapy with selective TEVAR in patients with uTBAD. This landmark comparative effectiveness trial aims to provide Level I data to clarify the appropriate role for both treatment strategies and inform clinical practice.