Endovascular Repair in Aortic Dissection: Superior Outcomes and Cost-Effectiveness in a Contemporary Cohort
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
5-2026
Publication Title
European Heart Journal: Acute Cardiovascular Care
Abstract
Background: Aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition requiring urgent intervention, with treatment options including open surgical repair, endovascular procedures, or intensive medical management. This study compares outcomes across these strategies using a national cohort. Methods: We analyzed data from the National Inpatient Sample (2018–2022), identifying 83,075 hospitalizations nationally. Survey-weighted logistic regression models estimated crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for mortality and moderate disability, comparing open repair, endovascular procedures, and no procedure. Adjustments included age, sex, race, income, comorbidities, and hospital characteristics. We also evaluated procedure incidence, length of stay (LOS), total charges, and complications. Results: Of the weighted hospitalizations, 2.5% underwent open repair, 18.1% received endovascular procedures, and 79.5% had no procedure. Endovascular procedures were associated with significantly lower mortality (adjusted OR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.36–0.51, p< 0.001) and moderate disability (43.2% vs. 69.4% for open repair, p< 0.001) compared to no procedure, while open repair showed higher mortality (adjusted OR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.05–2.00, p=0.023) and disability. Mortality rates were 12.9% for no procedure, 14.0% for open repair, and 5.2% for endovascular procedures. LOS and total charges were highest for open repair (mean LOS: 15.6 days, mean charges: $513,367) compared to endovascular (10.2 days, $363,585) and no procedure (9.2 days, $253,141). Timing analysis indicated lower mortality for endovascular procedures performed after day 1 (intermediate [days 2–3]: adjusted OR: 0.45, p=0.024; late [>3 days]: adjusted OR: 0.51, p=0.029) compared to early intervention (day 1). For open repair, timing showed no significant mortality difference (intermediate: adjusted OR: 0.23, p=0.236; late: adjusted OR: 0.23, p=0.079) compared to early intervention. Complications, including acute myocardial infarction and shock, were less frequent with endovascular procedures. Conclusion: Endovascular procedures are associated with lower mortality, disability, LOS, and costs compared to open repair or medical management in aortic dissection patients. These findings support the preferential use of endovascular approaches, particularly when timed after initial stabilization (beyond day 1), to optimize outcomes. Intensive blood pressure and heart rate control may enhance survival when paired with delayed endovascular intervention.
Volume
15
Issue
Suppl 1
First Page
i438
Last Page
i439
Recommended Citation
Cohen B, Singh S, Miller L, Schwocho M, Desai S, Roma N, et al. Endovascular repair in aortic dissection: superior outcomes and cost-effectiveness in a contemporary cohort. Eur Heart J Acute Cardiovasc Care. 2026 May;15(Suppl 1):i438-i439. doi:10.1093/ehjacc/zuag046.252
DOI
10.1093/ehjacc/zuag046.252
Comments
European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Acute Cardiovascular Care Congress, March 20-21, 2026, Lisbon, Portugal