Impact of new development of ulcer-like projection on clinical outcomes in patients with type B aortic dissection with closed and thrombosed false lumen.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical importance of newly developed ulcer-like projection (ULP) in patients with type B aortic dissection with closed and thrombosed false lumen (AD with CTFL), which is better known as aortic intramural hematoma.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 170 patients with acute type B AD with CTFL were admitted to our institution from 1986 to 2008 and treated initially with medical therapy. There were 31 late deaths, including 9 cases of aortic rupture. The actuarial survival rates of all patients were 99%, 89%, 83% at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. A total of 62 (36%) patients showed new ULP development within 30 days from the onset. Patients who had ULP showed significantly poorer survival rates than patients who did not have ULP (P=0.037). Development of ULP was also associated with a significant increase in adverse aorta-related events (P<0.001). In addition, patients with ULP in the proximal descending thoracic aorta (PD) showed significantly higher aorta-related event rates than patients without ULP in the PD (P<0.001). Initial aortic diameter (hazard ratio, 3.55; P<0.001) and development of ULP in PD (hazard ratio, 3.79; P=0.003) were the strongest predictors of adverse aorta-related events.

CONCLUSIONS

Initial aortic diameter and development of ULP in the PD are both strong predictors of adverse aorta-related events in patients with type B AD with CTFL. Patients with newly developed ULP should be more carefully followed up with close surveillance imaging than those without ULP.