Endovascular versus open treatment of degenerative aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta: a single center experience.

Multiple reports could show a reduced risk for thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) compared with open treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate our twelve-year TEVAR experience for thoracic aortic aneurysms and compare these results with open repair. All patients who had received either open or endovascular surgery for a degenerative aortic aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta in our center were evaluated retrospectively. N = 53 TEVAR patients (1997-2008) were included and their course was compared with an open-surgery group of n = 24 patients (1992-2002). The percentage of symptomatic patients was 43% (TEVAR) and 42% (open surgery). Endovascular treatment resulted in a significantly reduced 30-day (5.7% versus 25% P = 0.02) and one-year mortality (19% versus 42% P = 0.05) in the entire cohort. Symptomatic patients benefited the most from TEVAR (30-day mortality: 9% versus 40%, P = 0.06; one-year mortality: 27% versus 70%, P = 0.049) whereas the survival of our asymptomatic patients was not significantly different (30-day mortality: 3% versus 14%, P = 0.22; one-year mortality: 13% versus 21%, P = 0.65). Lastly, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significantly improved survival after TEVAR (P = 0.05) and in particular for the symptomatic patients (P = 0.003). In conclusion, endovascular treatment for patients with degenerative thoracic aortic aneurysms has significant advantages over open surgery.