The fate of the abdominal aorta after endovascular treatment in chronic Debakey IIIb aneurysm

Objectives: We sought to identify the risk factors for abdominal aortic remodeling after thoracic endovascular aortic repair in patients with chronic DeBakey IIIb aneurysm. Methods: From 2012 to 2016, 70 patients underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair for chronic DeBakey IIIb aneurysm. The abdominal aortic diameter was measured at 3 different levels (celiac trunk, renal artery, and infrarenal aorta). Abdominal aorta status was classified as expansion or stable. Expansion status was assigned when the abdominal aortic diameter was increased over 5 mm at least 1 level. Otherwise, it was classified as stable status. Forty-six of 70 patients underwent more than 2 postoperative imaging studies. In those patients (n = 46), abdominal aortic volume was measured from celiac trunk to inferior mesenteric artery. A linear mixed-effect model was used to analyze the overall fate of abdominal aortic volume. Results: No in-hospital mortality occurred. The mean follow-up and imaging follow-up duration were 26 and 17 months, respectively. Sixty-one patients (87.1%) demonstrated thoracic false-lumen thrombosis. Although false-lumen thrombosis was achieved, 15 patients (24.6%) demonstrated the expansion status. In volumetric analysis, the total abdominal aortic volume was increasing over time (0.603 cm³/mo; P <.001) and the residual intima tears were identified as an independent anatomic risk factor for an enlarged abdominal aorta. Conclusions: An enlarged abdominal aorta in chronic DeBakey IIIb aneurysm can be frequently recognized even after successful endovascular treatment. The residual intima tears were the only identified risk factor for change in a dissected abdominal aneurysm. We suggest careful abdominal aorta evaluation and additional procedures on the false lumen if necessary.