Thoracic aortic aneurysm natural history

Complications
Bleeding-complication for all aneurysm repairs

Neurologic injuries Cardiac and pulmonary failure (acute respiratory distress syndrome)
 * Stroke- major cause of mortality
 * Due to an obstructed blood vessel of atherosclerotic debris
 * Patients undergoing arch repairs are at the highest risk

Myocardial infarction Paraparesis and paraplegia- Endovascular stenting complications
 * Due to technical problems with coronary ostia implantation during root replacement for ascending aortic aneurysms; may require reoperation
 * Pulmonary and renal dysfunction are also morbid complications:
 * Complications due to thoracic and thoracoabdmonial aneurysm repairs
 * Endoleaks
 * Stent fractures
 * Stent graft migration or thromobosis
 * Iliac artery rupture
 * Retrograde dissection
 * Microembolization
 * Aortoesophageal fistula