The treatment of tuberculous aortic pseudoaneurysm

Objective: Our aim was to compare the outcomes of tuberculous aortic aneurysms treated with endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) or open surgery. Methods: An electronic search of the National Library of Medicine PubMed database for tuberculous aortic aneurysm was performed between January 1998 through December 2017. Cases were screened for completeness of information and outcomes were recorded and analyzed. Results: A total of 56 studies were reviewed, with 61 (20 TEVAR, 41 open surgical repair) having adequate case details and follow-up. The in-hospital/30-day mortality was 0% (0 out of 20) in the TEVAR group and 7% (three out of 41) in the open surgery group (P =.54). Overall mortality was 5% (1/20) in the TEVAR group and 10% (4/41) in the open surgery group (P =.53). Two-year survival and freedom from aneurysm recurrence were comparable in the two groups, P =.45 and P =.94, respectively. One patient in the TEVAR group and one patient in the open surgery group died due to a rupture of a recurrent aortic aneurysm 16 and 28 months after surgery, respectively. Conclusions: TEVAR and anti-tuberculosis (TB) medications are reasonable initial treatment options for tuberculous aortic aneurysm especially in high-risk patients; however, careful follow-up is necessary.