Full articles available online at www.ejvesextra.com: Combined Treatment, Endovascular and Surgical Treatment of Postraumatic Pseudoaneurysm in the Aortic Arch

• Published in: European journal of vascular and endovascular surgery Vol. 32; no. 5; p. 603
• Main Authors: Ibáñez Maraña, M.A., Gutiérrez Alonso, V., Cenizo Revuelta, N., San Norberto García, E.M., González Fajardo, J.A., Del Río Solá, L., Carrera Díaz, S., Vaquero Puerta, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 2006
• ISSN: 1078-5884; 1532-2165
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2006.04.039

Traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta has a high mortality. The endovascular alternative has been considered for aortic repair in high-risk patients with multiple trauma. We report a case of a 20 year-old man who suffered a multiple trauma secondary to motor vehicle accident. Arteriography revealed the existence of a pseudoaneurysm at the origin of left common carotid artery. A short and immediate control of the thoracic aorta is needed in cases with active bleeding of the aorta when the patient is unstable. Endovascular treatment as a definitive repair or first control before performing surgical repair seems a good choice. Our experience in this patient suggests that the combined endovascular and surgical treatment can be a valuable therapeutic alternative when treating a blunt aortic lesion. It is less invasive surgery and avoids aortic cross-clamping, circulatory assistance and high dose heparinization. Further studies are required to determine the relevance of the endovascular treatment in the management of traumatic rupture of the aorta in young patients.