Thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair for thoracic aneurysms: what we know, what to expect.

Descending thoracic aneurysms are less common and less likely to rupture than abdominal aortic aneurysms. However, when left untreated they are lethal, and repairs are recommended only if the size of the aneurysm is 6 cm, or smaller if symptomatic. Open thoracic aneurysm repair was the standard therapy the last time this topic was reviewed in Annals of Vascular Surgery. Currently, thoracic aneurysms are usually treated with endovascular means when anatomically appropriate. This review demonstrates the benefits of endografting (namely decreased perioperative mortality and morbidity) and also the shortcomings (no late mortality benefit) as currently published in the literature, as well as summarizing available endografts and specific considerations for high-risk patient populations.