Endovascular treatment of acute type B aortic dissection.

Intervention is currently reserved in acute aortic dissection for Stanford Type A and for complications of Type B. Endovascular techniques such as fenestration of the intimal flap and stenting of vessel origins have been used to alleviate end-organ ischaemia due to compromised branches. The introduction of stent grafts has offered a realistic alternative to surgery for Type B dissections. Closure of the primary entry tear encourages thrombosis of the false lumen, which is associated with good long-term outcome. Many questions remain unanswered and randomised controlled trials need to be performed to establish the role of stent grafts in uncomplicated Type B dissections, and the use of bare stents to encourage thrombosis of the more distal false lumen. Improvements in the design and engineering of stent grafts may help to establish endoluminal repair as the first line treatment of aortic dissection.