Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for the Treatment of Aortic Dissection: Post-operative Imaging, Complications and Secondary Interventions

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has become an accepted alternative to surgery for the treatment of aortic dissection (AD). Lifelong surveillance is obligatory following TEVAR to monitor the aortic morphology and detect associated complications. This is particularly important in AD where coverage of the primary intimal tear is necessary in achieving thrombosis and regression of the false lumen. A variety of imaging techniques may be used in assessing the technical success, outcome and complications, which may necessitate re-intervention. Of these, computed tomography angiography offers a fast, accessible and sensitive imaging modality and is established as the default surveillance tool. The purpose of this article is to review the imaging modalities, post-procedural appearances including complications and re-intervention strategies following TEVAR for AD.