Abstract 4117345: Predicting Downstream Aneurysmal Degeneration Following Type A Dissection Repair With Computational Fluid Dynamics

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Introduction: Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) is typically treated by replacement of the ascending aorta (+/- root) and proximal arch. However, 70-85% of patients have residual distal dissection post-repair, and 20-40% require late reoperation for aneurysmal degeneration of the distal aorta (ADDA). Since an individual patient’s risk of ADDA cannot be accurately predicted, current guidelines recommend lifelong aortic surveillance imaging for all patients. Hypothesis: Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of aortic hemodynamics post-repair can accurately identify patients at late risk of ADDA. Methods: We performed CFD simulations of 50 patients following hemi-arch replacement for ATAAD. Patient-specific 3D models were generated from the aortic root to iliac bifurcation (including arch branches) from postoperative 0.6mm contrast-enhanced CT angiograms taken <1 year after index repair (Figure). Exclusion criteria were known heritable thoracic aortic disease and absence of residual dissection. The primary outcome was ADDA, defined as late growth of the distal arch/descending thoracic aorta (DTA) to a diameter ≥5.5cm. Hemodynamic simulations were run for 6 cardiac cycles on a high-performance computing cluster using HARVEY, a CFD solver implementing the lattice Boltzmann method. The primary hemodynamic metric was time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS) ratio between the false and true lumens. Results: ADDA developed in 22 patients (44%) at a mean of 3.2 years postoperatively. There were no significant clinical differences between those with and without ADDA (Table). The development of late aneurysm growth was significantly associated with a higher TAWSS ratio in the proximal DTA ( p <0.05, Figure). Conclusion: ADDA following hemi-arch repair for ATAAD is associated with significantly higher false lumen TAWSS as early as the first surveillance scan. CFD simulations may help clinicians risk-stratify patients years before they meet reoperation criteria.