Aortic endovascular stenting in patients with systemic connective tissue disorders: does the prohibitive dogma still stand tall?

Abstract

Endovascular repair of thoracic aortic diseases can provide satisfactory outcomes in elective and certain emergency cases involving the descending thoracic and aortic arch. However, open repair remains the gold standard method of aortic root pathologies and certain aortic arch pathologies, such as extended dissection. Nevertheless, the use of endovascular stenting in patients with connective tissue disorders has not been fully explored because the aortic tissues are fragile and the likelihood of keeping the stent in place is low because of its progressive dilatation and subsequent requirement for open repair at a later stage when the stent graft fails. Our brief review focuses on current evidence of the use of stents in patients with connective tissue disorders and whether such practice can be expanded further.