Blunt Thoracic Aortic Injuries: New Perspectives in Management

Abstract

Blunt thoracic aortic injuries (BTAIs) present a great challenge because of their potentially fatal outcomes. Recent advancements in their management have proved to be beneficial in terms of various parameters, including mortality and complications. Endovascular repair is now the treatment of choice in most centres and is continuously replacing the traditional open surgical method. We present a mini-review of the most recent relevant literature that briefly describes the major shifts in the diagnosis and treatment of BTAIs and compares the outcomes of the conventional surgical approach to those of the endovascular method for the definitive repair of these injuries. Although both the reviewed literature and the most recently published guidelines are in support of the use of the endovascular approach, as short and midterm results are promising, its long-term outcomes still remain in question.