Clinical Challenges in Vascular Surgery: Type B Aortic Dissections (TBAD)

A silent danger lurks within the descending thoracic aorta. While most Type B aortic dissections are managed medically, up to half of these patients will either require life-saving surgery or die within just five years. So how do we separate those who will quietly recover from those on the edge of catastrophe? How do we protect the spinal cord, bowel, and limbs from the devastating consequences of malperfusion? Join the University of Michigan Department of Vascular Surgery as they tackle the high-stakes decisions behind managing this unpredictable disease—where timing is critical, interventions are evolving, and lives hang in the balance. Hosted by the University of Michigan Department of Vascular Surgery: · Robert Beaulieu, Program Director · Frank Davis, Assistant Professor of Surgery · Luciano Delbono, PGY-5 House Officer · Andrew Huang, PGY-4 House Officer · Carolyn Judge, PGY-2 House Officer Learning Objectives: 1. Discuss general approach to diagnosis and management of TBAD. 2. Identifying high-risk features in uncomplicated TBAD and understanding their role in determining the need for surgical management. 3. Review endovascular techniques for managing malperfusion of the limbs, viscera, and spinal cord and discuss associated decision making. References: Authors/Task Force Members, Czerny, M., Grabenwöger, M., Berger, T., Aboyans, V., Della Corte, A., Chen, E. P., Desai, N. D., Dumfarth, J., Elefteriades, J. A., Etz, C. D., Kim, K. M., Kreibich, M., Lescan, M., Di Marco, L., Martens, A., Mestres, C. A., Milojevic, M., Nienaber, C. A., … Hughes, G. C. (2024). EACTS/STS Guidelines for Diagnosing and Treating Acute and Chronic Syndromes of the Aortic Organ. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 118(1), 5–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.2024.01.021 de Kort, J. F., Hasami, N. A., Been, M., Grassi, V., Lomazzi, C., Heijmen, R. H., Hazenberg, C. E. V. B., van Herwaarden, J. A., & Trimarchi, S. (2025). Trends and Updates in the Management and Outcomes of Acute Uncomplicated Type B Aortic Dissection. Annals of Vascular Surgery, S0890-5096(25)00004-4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avsg.2024.12.060 Eidt, J. F., & Vasquez, J. (2023). Changing Management of Type B Aortic Dissections. Methodist DeBakey Cardiovascular Journal, 19(2), 59–69. https://doi.org/10.14797/mdcvj.1171 Lombardi, J. V., Hughes, G. C., Appoo, J. J., Bavaria, J. E., Beck, A. W., Cambria, R. P., Charlton-Ouw, K., Eslami, M. H., Kim, K. M., Leshnower, B. G., Maldonado, T., Reece, T. B., & Wang, G. J. (2020). Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) and Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) reporting standards for type B aortic dissections. Journal of Vascular Surgery, 71(3), 723–747. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvs.2019.11.013 MacGillivray, T. E., Gleason, T. G., Patel, H. J., Aldea, G. S., Bavaria, J. E., Beaver, T. M., Chen, E. P., Czerny, M., Estrera, A. L., Firestone, S., Fischbein, M. P., Hughes, G. C., Hui, D. S., Kissoon, K., Lawton, J. S., Pacini, D., Reece, T. B., Roselli, E. E., & Stulak, J. (2022). The Society of Thoracic Surgeons/American Association for Thoracic Surgery Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Type B Aortic Dissection. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 113(4), 1073–1092. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.2021.11.002 Papatheodorou, N., Tsilimparis, N., Peterss, S., Khangholi, D., Konstantinou, N., Pichlmaier, M., & Stana, J. (2025). Pre-Emptive Endovascular Repair for Uncomplicated Type B Dissection—Is This an Option? Annals of Vascular Surgery, S0890-5096(25)00007-X. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avsg.2025.01.003 Trimarchi, S., Gleason, T. G., Brinster, D. R., Bismuth, J., Bossone, E., Sundt, T. M., Montgomery, D. G., Pai, C.-W., Bissacco, D., de Beaufort, H. W. L., Bavaria, J. E., Mussa, F., Bekeredjian, R., Schermerhorn, M., Pacini, D., Myrmel, T., Ouzounian, M., Korach, A., Chen, E. P., … Patel, H. J. (2023). Editor’s Choice - Trends in Management and Outcomes of Type B Aortic Dissection: A Report From the International Registry of Aortic Dissection. European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery: The Official Journal of the European Society for Vascular Surgery, 66(6), 775–782. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejvs.2023.05.015 Writing Committee Members, Isselbacher, E. M., Preventza, O., Hamilton Black Iii, J., Augoustides, J. G., Beck, A. W., Bolen, M. A., Braverman, A. C., Bray, B. E., Brown-Zimmerman, M. M., Chen, E. P., Collins, T. J., DeAnda, A., Fanola, C. L., Girardi, L. N., Hicks, C. W., Hui, D. S., Jones, W. S., Kalahasti, V., … Woo, Y. J. (2022). 2022 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Aortic Disease: A Report of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 80(24), e223–e393. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2022.08.004 Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more. If you liked this episode, check out our recent episodes here: https://app.behindtheknife.org/listen