Endovascular stent graft repair of a penetrating aortic injury.

We report the endovascular stent graft repair of a penetrating aortic injury with active hemorrhage. A 72-year-old man was admitted after getting stabbed in his back. He had a history of coronary heart disease and cardiac infarction. Computed tomography revealed thoracoabdominal aortic rupture. Endovascular repair was performed successfully. The patient recovered uneventfully, and did not complain of discomfort after a 1-year follow-up. Endovascular treatment may be a valuable and lifesaving option for patients sustaining penetrating aortic injury with contraindications to surgery. Copyright 2010 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.