Purpose: The authors developed a percutaneous endoprosthesis for treatment of aortic dissections. The device is a Gianturco stent wrapped with Dacron or nylon mesh. Effectiveness of the covered stent versus a bare stent was compared in the treatment of acute aortic dissection.
Materials and methods: Experimental aortic dissections were created in 10 mongrel dogs. Occlusion of intimal tears was attempted with covered stents in five dogs (group 1) and with bare stents in the remaining five dogs (group 2).
Results: In group 1, entry tears were obliterated within 1 day (n = 3) or 1 week (n = 2) after stent placement and false lumina were thrombosed within 1 week (n = 3) or 1 month (n = 2). In group 2, entry tears and false lumina remained patent. Histologic specimens showed that the covered stents were entirely covered with smooth neointima.
Conclusions: This endoprosthesis offers an alternative to surgical treatment for dissections of the descending aorta.