Thoracic endovascular aortic repair and optimal medical treatment for acute type B penetrating aortic ulcer associated with intramural hematoma.

To compare the safety and efficacy of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and optimal medical treatment (OMT) for type B penetrating aortic ulcer (PAU) associated with intramural hematoma (IMH). From January 2015 to December 2018, 68 consecutive patients with acute type B PAU associated with IMH were enrolled in the study. TEVAR was performed following initially OMT in 30 patients (group A), and OMT was performed in 38 patients (group B). Primary outcome was aortic-related mortality. Secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality, aortic-related adverse events, and complete aortic remodeling. There was no significant difference in the baseline characteristics of patients among the 2 groups except for the depth of PAU and the thickness of IMH. Patients in group B had a significant higher risk of aortic-related mortality (13.3% vs 0%, P = .045), as the same to aortic-related adverse events during follow-up. Compared to OMT, TEVAR contributed to the favorable aortic remodeling more significantly during the mid-term follow-up (85.7% vs 18.2%, P < .001). Comparing with optimal medical repair, TEVAR for patients with PAU associated with IMH could promote the favorable aortic remolding more significantly and result in lower aortic-related mortality during mid-term follow-up. It should be considered as the first-line therapeutic option when intervention is required.