Uncomplicated Type B Aortic Dissection: A European Multicentre Cross-Sectional Evaluation

Mohamad Bashir*, Matti Jubouri, Abdelaziz O. Surkhi, Ian M. Williams, Lazar B. Davidovic, Igor Koncar, Tomas Baltrūnas, Aysegul Kunt, Ömer Tanyeli, Muhammed Bayram, Murat Ugur, Giovanni Rossi, Marie-Elisabeth Stelzmueller, Arjan W.J. Hoksbergen, Vincent Jongkind, Luca Bertoglio, Sergio Zacà, Wassim Mansour, Pasqualino Sirignano, Mario D'OriaValerio Stefano Tolva, Isabelle Van Herzeele, Milka Klincheva, Zvonka Atanasov, Stefano Bartoli, Raffaello Bellosta, Emiliano Chisci, Alberto Guagliano, Martin Teraa, Peter Ivak, Sandra Recicarova, Quentin Pellenc, Robin Heijmen, Karin Pfister, Gabriele Piffaretti, Hayley Hutchings, Gail Holland, Damian M. Bailey, Matthias Thielmann, Heinz Jakob

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: A multicentre European randomized control trial - European Uncomplicated Type B Aortic Repair (EU-TBAR) is being developed to compare pre-emptive thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with custom-made devices versus conventional optimal medical therapy. The pretrial set-up is confluent on different pillars, including evaluation of 1) European activity, trends, and governance; 2) outcome reporting; and 3) cost evaluation. This article aimed to demonstrate the observational cross-sectional survey results from participating centers and highlight the risk assessment, activity, practices, and governance of uncomplicated type B aortic dissection (uTBAD).

METHODS: This observational cross-sectional European survey used a questionnaire that examined the understanding, risk assessment, local governance oversight, and clinical activity of uTBAD. The data were collected and managed using Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap).

RESULTS: Out of 43 surveyed surgeons, 37 (86%) responded within a month from 14 European countries. Most reported low annual uTBAD encounters, with autumn being the most common season for cases. Pre-emptive TEVAR was recommended by 43.2% of participants, who favored subacute intervention timing. The Gore TAG was the most used TEVAR device, and custom devices were available for 73% of respondents. Risk factors for uTBAD were ranked, with 'Rapid Aortic Enlargement' deemed most critical. A majority of centers had protocols and multidisciplinary teams, with most having readily available radiology services. Only 45.9% had transfer services to specialized centers.

CONCLUSIONS: uTBAD remains a misnomer of a dynamic, ongoing disease process requiring early diagnosis and intervention. Pre-emptive TEVAR in high-risk uTBAD is becoming more common, with encouraging results prompting an expansion of indication criteria to a broader uTBAD population managed conservatively. Nevertheless, further evidence is needed through large randomized controlled trials, mainly European collaboratives, to reach a definitive conclusion on the optimum surgical management of uTBAD.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)340-349
Number of pages10
JournalAnnals of Vascular Surgery
Volume114
Early online date18 Dec 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25 Apr 2025

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