[Endovascular treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysm]

Two patients with aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta were treated by endovascular technique. One of the patients was also treated for an infrarenal aortic aneurysm by open surgery during the same procedure. The other patient had chest pain, probably caused by an impending rupture. The procedures were performed using fluoroscopy by a C-arm. The thoracic aneurysms were replaced by an implant made of polyester where Z-stents had been applied on the inside. The prosthesis was mounted on a pusher and advanced through an introducer. When a proper position was obtained, the introducer was withdrawn, and the prosthesis was deployed immediately below the left subclavian artery. Endovascular treatment seems to represent a less traumatic procedure than open surgery. Both operations were uncomplicated and both patients were followed up for more than six months. No complications were observed. A longer follow-up period is necessary to evaluate this treatment fully.