Acute descending aortic dissections: management of visceral, spinal cord, and extremity malperfusion

Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2005 Fall;17(3):256-61. doi: 10.1053/j.semtcvs.2005.06.003.

Abstract

Acute descending aortic dissection is considered the most catastrophic event affecting the aorta and occurs two to three times more often than rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysms. The therapeutic aim in treating acute dissection is not only directed at the prevention of aneurysmal development and rupture but also to prevent and treat complications such as malperfusion syndrome. According to Lauterbach and coworkers patients with symptomatic malperfusion syndromes have a 51% mortality rate compared with a 29% mortality rate in patients who do not. The surgical in-hospital mortality rate in patients with mesenteric or peripheral vascular ischemic complications may be as high as 89%. Despite an improvement in diagnosing dissections and malperfusion syndromes, and despite improved operative techniques and a better understanding of the significance of perioperative care, the surgical mortality rate can be as high as 50%. Endovascular techniques are constantly evolving that provide an alternative to open procedures. The goal of this article was to review the pathogenesis of malperfusion syndromes in aortic dissection, discuss the current modalities to treat malperfusion of the spinal cord, viscera, and extremities, and examine the results of the treatments used today.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Aortic Aneurysm / complications
  • Aortic Aneurysm / diagnosis
  • Aortic Aneurysm / surgery*
  • Aortic Dissection / complications
  • Aortic Dissection / diagnosis
  • Aortic Dissection / surgery*
  • Extremities / blood supply*
  • Humans
  • Ischemia / etiology*
  • Ischemia / therapy*
  • Spinal Cord Ischemia / etiology
  • Spinal Cord Ischemia / therapy
  • Viscera / blood supply*