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International Expert Consensus on the Management of Acute Aortic Type B Intramural Haematoma and Penetrating Ulcer

Francesco, Squizzato ; Dias, N. LU orcid ; Tshomba, Y. and Piazza, Michele (2026) In European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery 71(3). p.402-412
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to achieve an international expert consensus on managing acute type B penetrating aortic ulcers (PAUs) and intramural haematomas (IMHs). Methods: A modified Delphi consensus process was employed to develop recommendations for the management of acute type B PAU and IMH. Surveys were sent to international experts practicing in high volume aortic centres worldwide. Statements were voted on using a four point Likert scale in a three round Delphi process. Statements achieving grade A (full agreement 75%) or B (overall agreement 80%, full disagreement < 5%) were included as expert recommendations. Consistency of responses was measured using Cohen's κ and the intraclass correlation coefficient. Results:... (More)
Objective: The aim of this study was to achieve an international expert consensus on managing acute type B penetrating aortic ulcers (PAUs) and intramural haematomas (IMHs). Methods: A modified Delphi consensus process was employed to develop recommendations for the management of acute type B PAU and IMH. Surveys were sent to international experts practicing in high volume aortic centres worldwide. Statements were voted on using a four point Likert scale in a three round Delphi process. Statements achieving grade A (full agreement 75%) or B (overall agreement 80%, full disagreement < 5%) were included as expert recommendations. Consistency of responses was measured using Cohen's κ and the intraclass correlation coefficient. Results: Eighty three experts were included in the final analysis: 25 statements achieved a consensus, 18 (72%) receiving a grade B strength and seven (28%) a grade A strength. Most statements (97%) had a high consistency classified as grade I or II. The expert panel agreed on the indication for thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for complicated IMH/PAU, defined by rupture or refractory pain/hypertension. Uncomplicated IMH/PAU should be managed conservatively and followed up with serial computed tomography imaging during the acute phase. High risk uncomplicated IMHs are identified by increased haematoma thickness, new onset or increased size of ulcer like projections, or transition to aortic dissection; high risk uncomplicated PAUs are defined by new associated haematoma, PAU width/depth increase, or total aortic diameter increase. Uncomplicated high risk IMH/PAUs may be considered for TEVAR. In performing TEVAR, a proximal sealing length > 20 mm in a site free from haematoma should be achieved, eventually extending in zone 2, with a 0 – 10% oversize. Patency of the left subclavian artery should be maintained. Conclusion: An agreement among international experts was achieved on assessment, management, and follow up of acute type B IMHs and PAUs, addressing areas of inconsistencies or knowledge gaps in existing guidelines. © 2025 The Author(s) (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; and
author collaboration
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Acute aortic syndrome, Consensus, Endovascular aneurysm repair, Guidelines, Intramural haematoma, Penetrating aortic ulcer
in
European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
volume
71
issue
3
pages
11 pages
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • scopus:105026138712
  • pmid:41038380
ISSN
1078-5884
DOI
10.1016/j.ejvs.2025.09.045
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
bad1250f-9dbc-43f0-9192-f67bd996e299
date added to LUP
2026-03-31 15:57:39
date last changed
2026-04-01 03:00:02
@article{bad1250f-9dbc-43f0-9192-f67bd996e299,
  abstract     = {{Objective: The aim of this study was to achieve an international expert consensus on managing acute type B penetrating aortic ulcers (PAUs) and intramural haematomas (IMHs). Methods: A modified Delphi consensus process was employed to develop recommendations for the management of acute type B PAU and IMH. Surveys were sent to international experts practicing in high volume aortic centres worldwide. Statements were voted on using a four point Likert scale in a three round Delphi process. Statements achieving grade A (full agreement 75%) or B (overall agreement 80%, full disagreement &lt; 5%) were included as expert recommendations. Consistency of responses was measured using Cohen's κ and the intraclass correlation coefficient. Results: Eighty three experts were included in the final analysis: 25 statements achieved a consensus, 18 (72%) receiving a grade B strength and seven (28%) a grade A strength. Most statements (97%) had a high consistency classified as grade I or II. The expert panel agreed on the indication for thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for complicated IMH/PAU, defined by rupture or refractory pain/hypertension. Uncomplicated IMH/PAU should be managed conservatively and followed up with serial computed tomography imaging during the acute phase. High risk uncomplicated IMHs are identified by increased haematoma thickness, new onset or increased size of ulcer like projections, or transition to aortic dissection; high risk uncomplicated PAUs are defined by new associated haematoma, PAU width/depth increase, or total aortic diameter increase. Uncomplicated high risk IMH/PAUs may be considered for TEVAR. In performing TEVAR, a proximal sealing length &gt; 20 mm in a site free from haematoma should be achieved, eventually extending in zone 2, with a 0 – 10% oversize. Patency of the left subclavian artery should be maintained. Conclusion: An agreement among international experts was achieved on assessment, management, and follow up of acute type B IMHs and PAUs, addressing areas of inconsistencies or knowledge gaps in existing guidelines. © 2025 The Author(s)}},
  author       = {{Francesco, Squizzato and Dias, N. and Tshomba, Y. and Piazza, Michele}},
  issn         = {{1078-5884}},
  keywords     = {{Acute aortic syndrome; Consensus; Endovascular aneurysm repair; Guidelines; Intramural haematoma; Penetrating aortic ulcer}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{3}},
  pages        = {{402--412}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery}},
  title        = {{International Expert Consensus on the Management of Acute Aortic Type B Intramural Haematoma and Penetrating Ulcer}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejvs.2025.09.045}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.ejvs.2025.09.045}},
  volume       = {{71}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}