Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms

Abstract

Remarkable progress has been made in the surgical treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. The decline in mortality and complication rates can be attributed to improvements in perioperative care and in surgical technique, particularly the adoption of adjunct distal aortic perfusion and cerebrospinal fluid drainage. Neurologic deficit is no longer a major threat to patients, as the use of adjuncts has brought the incidence down to 2.4% for all thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. However, we continue to pursue research to improve organ preservation, particularly for the most troublesome extent II thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm.

Key Words:

• Thoracic aneurysm
• thoraco-abdominal aneurysm
• spinal cord ischemia

Additional information

Notes on contributors

H. J. Safi

H. J. Safi, M.D. Professor and Chairman Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery The university of Texas at Houston Medical School uTH Medical Center 6410 Fannin Street, Suite 450 Houston, Tx 77030 Tel.: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected]