Endovascular stent-grafts for acute and chronic type B aortic dissection: comparison of clinical outcomes

Within the recent months, endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms has become a rather interesting alternative to patients considering open surgery. In the past, the procedure was typically and more solely reserved to a selected group of elderly patients with several co-morbidities. Currently, there are a number of ongoing trials that are comparing the performance of both surgical and percutaneous endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms. Within this field of research, I would like to personally congratulate Dr. Jing et al, for the excellence, dedication, and consistency throughout their findings and reports. Their overall research protocol and method presented in this June issue of Journal of Geriatric Cardiology, have been proficient and well done. 1 Because this emergency and fatal disease is rare among the general population, the number of patients available to this type of study is limited. Even with this limitation, the authors have managed to find a modest number of subjects allowing them to compare the two techniques. In spite of the obstacles facing the research, there have been more successes in regards to endovascular repair over the conventional surgical technique. 2 Their statistical inference is accurate and their subsequent conclusions are valid. These findings could pave the way for the greater and much enhanced care in future patients that have this complex and devastating problem. It should be noted that a remarkable result of their clinical experience is the absence of early mortality in their patients.