Treating False Lumen Perfusion in Chronic Aortic Dissections

In this episode, vascular surgeon Dr. Daniel Han and our host Dr. Sabeen Dhand discuss various techniques involved in repairing chronic aortic dissections, including Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR), Knickerbocker, and candy plug.

Dr. Han starts by reviewing the differences between a true lumen and a false lumen. False lumens are usually formed by a dominant entry tear in the aortic wall with additional fenestrations present. Since the false lumen lacks the three walls of the aorta, it is more easily perfused and compresses the true lumen. He further subdivides aortic dissection into hyperacute, acute, subacute, and chronic dissections, all depending on the chronicity of the tear. With treatment, the goal is to achieve aortic remodeling and fuse the true and false lumens. Dr. Han notes that the more chronic the dissection, the harder it will be to remodel the aorta back to its original state, since it has already started remodeling in the dissected state.

The doctors discuss TEVAR and follow-up results in which Dr. Han would choose to re-intervene. He explains the Knickerbocker technique, in which he uses a balloon to selectively rupture the dissected septum. This establishes contact between the stent graft and the other side of the aorta, effectively creating a physical barrier to retrograde flow in the thoracic aorta. Dr. Han also discusses the candy-plug technique, which results in immediate cessation of blood flow into the thoracic aorta.