Endovascular Closure of Chronic Dissection Entries in the Aortic Arch Using the Amplatzer Vascular Plug II as a Sealing Button

Abstract

Purpose: To present a new endovascular technique to avoid open surgical arch reconstruction in selected patients with aneurysmal dilatation due to small chronic dissection entries in the aortic arch. Technique: The true and the false lumen of the aortic arch are catheterized from the femoral arteries. An Amplatzer Vascular Plug II (AVP II) is advanced through the proximal entry from the false lumen side and deployed as a sealing button in the entry hole, with 1 disc in the true lumen and the remaining 2 discs in the false lumen. This technique was used in 4 patients with chronic dissection involving the aortic arch, three of whom had had previous surgery for acute type A aortic dissection. In 3 patients, the false lumen of the thoracic aorta was successfully obliterated, with thrombosis and aortic diameter reduction during follow-up. In 1 patient, false lumen flow persisted, and he was subsequently treated with a total arch reconstruction and frozen elephant trunk. Conclusion: Endovascular closure of small proximal dissection entries in the aortic arch with an AVP II used as a sealing button is feasible and may be an alternative to open surgical arch reconstruction in selected patients with chronic aortic dissection and secondary aneurysm expansion.