European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) 2026 Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Descending Thoracic and Thoraco-Abdominal Aortic Diseases – Editor's Choice
Anders Wanhainen, Alexander Gombert, George A. Antoniou, Liliana A. Fidalgo Domingos, Ryan Gouveia e Melo, Martin Grabenwöger, Stephan Haulon, Αthanasios Katsargyris, Tilo Kölbel, Ian M. Loftus, Kevin Mani, Barend M.E. Mees, Germano Melissano, Luís Mendes Pedro, Carlota F. Prendes, Κωνσταντίνος Σπανός, Nikolaos Tsilimparis, Isabelle Van Herzeele, Maarit Venermo, Eric L.G. Verhoeven, Frederico Bastos Gonçalves, Martin Björck, Nabil Chakfé, Raphaël Coscas, Nuno V. Dias, Sandro Lepidi, Timothy A. Resch, Jean-Baptiste Ricco, Santi Trimarchi, Riikka Tulamo, Christopher P. Twine, Adam W. Beck, Colin Bicknell, Philippe Kolh, Anne Lejay, Gustavo Oderich, Hence J.M. Verhagen, Frank E.G. Vermassen
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) has developed clinical practice guidelines for the care of patients with descending thoracic and thoraco-abdominal aortic pathologies, in succession to the 2017 version, with the aim of assisting physicians and patients in selecting the best management strategy. METHODS: The guidelines are based on scientific evidence complemented with expert opinion on the matter. By summarising and evaluating the best available evidence, recommendations for the evaluation and treatment of patients have been formulated. The recommendations are graded according to the ESVS grading system, where the strength (class) of each recommendation is graded from I to III and the level of evidence from A to C. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-nine recommendations have been issued across the following main topics: (1) acute thoracic aortic syndrome; (2) chronic type B aortic dissection; (3) descending thoracic and thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms; (4) ruptured descending thoracic and thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms; and (5) blunt thoracic aortic injury. Additional topics include genetic aortopathy, floating thrombus and shaggy aorta, inflammatory aortitis, mycotic aortic aneurysms, coarctation of the aorta, aberrant subclavian artery, and service standards such as surgical volume, imaging, risk assessment, and optimisation. Special considerations include pregnancy, left subclavian artery revascularisation, spinal cord ischaemia, stroke prevention, vascular access, and the patient's perspective. A final chapter addresses unresolved issues. CONCLUSION: These clinical practice guidelines provide comprehensive, up to date advice to clinicians and patients on the management of descending thoracic and thoraco-abdominal aortic pathologies.