Aortic Arch Aneurysm Research Articles

Differences of mid-term outcomes in debranching thoracic endovascular aortic repair between zone 0 and zone 1-2 landing.

Debranching thoracic endovascular aortic repair (d-TEVAR) for zone 0 landing (Z0-TEVAR) remained challenging in aortic arch aneurysms. This study aimed to compare the mid-term outcomes between Z0-TEVAR and Z1/2-TEVAR to assess the appropriateness of Z0-TEVAR as the first-line therapy for aortic arch aneurysms in high-risk patients. Medical records of 200 patients who underwent d-TEVAR from 2007 to 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Of these, 40 patients who underwent Z0-TEVAR (70% males; the median age of 82years) and 160 Z1/2-TEVAR (78% males; the median age of 77years) were compared. In each group, 39 patients were matched using propensity scores (PS) to adjust for differences in patient backgrounds. Freedom from all-cause mortality (p < 0.001), aorta-related mortality (p < 0.001), and stroke (p = 0.001) were significantly lower in Z0-TEVAR than in Z1/2-TEVAR. Freedom from reintervention was similar between the two groups (p = 0.326). Type A dissection post-TEVAR was observed in 3 (7.5%) of Z0-TEVAR, but none in Z1/2-TEVAR (p = 0.006). Pneumonia was also more frequent in Z0-TEVAR (n = 8, 30%) than Z1/2-TEVAR (n = 4, 2.5%) (p < 0.001). PS matching also yielded worse outcomes (all-cause mortality, p = 0.017; aorta-related mortality, p = 0.046; and stroke, p = 0.027) in Z0-TEVAR than Z1/2-TEVAR. Higher mid-term mortality and stroke rates after Z0-TEVAR were confirmed by PS matching. Z0-TEVAR would be an alternative for high-risk patients with arch aneurysms requiring zone 0 landing but not a reliable method.

Does deep hypothermic circulatory arrest with versus without retrograde cerebral perfusion affect the outcomes after proximal aortic arch aneurysm and acute type A aortic dissection repair? Different pathologies and cerebral protection techniques with similar results.

Hypothermic circulatory arrest is used for proximal and total aortic arch correction in patients with aortic arch aneurysm and acute or chronic type A aortic dissection. Different cerebral perfusion techniques have been proposed for reducing morbidity and mortality rate. The study of Arnaoutakis et al. showed that deep hypothermic circulatory arrest with or without retrograde cerebral perfusion for proximal aortic aneurysm and acute type A aortic dissection correction had similar results with regard to morbidity and mortality rate. In addition, the short circulatory arrest time contributes for favorable outcomes of these patients. Although antegrade cerebral perfusion with hypothermic circulatory is widely used by many cardiac surgeons, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest with or without retrograde cerebral perfusion remains an alternative and safe method for brain protection in patients undergoing proximal aortic arch aneurysm or acute type A aortic dissection repair.

Giant aortic arch aneurysm presenting with hoarseness of voice.

A middle-aged male with hypertension and dyslipidaemia presented with hoarseness of voice due to a left vocal palsy. The chest radiograph revealed a saccular opacity silhouetting the left border of the aortic knuckle, suggestive of a large aortic arch aneurysm. Routine investigations, such as a chest radiograph do occasionally identify potentially fatal pathology, even when perhaps not strictly indicated; uncommon presentations do occur!

Evaluating the risk of spinal cord ischemia in zone 2 frozen elephant trunk replacement

BackgroundThe appropriate stent length in frozen elephant trunk replacements (FET) remains debated relative to the risk for paraplegia. However, landing the distal end of the stent beyond the curve of the arch facilitates distal reintervention, which is commonly beyond the 10 cm stent coverage when deployed proximal to the left subclavian artery. The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes following the use of 15 cm stent grafts in zone 2 (z2, distal to the left common carotid). MethodsUsing our single institution-maintained database, 103 zone 2 FET performed from 2016 to 2020 were reviewed. ResultsOf the 103 z2, a 15 cm stent graft was used in 51 operations. The indications for FET included acute and chronic aortic dissection, arch aneurysms, and pseudoaneurysms. The incidence of SCI was 0%. Seven deaths (13.7%) occurred. ConclusionsThe data demonstrates the incidence of post-operative paraplegia to be 0% with 15 cm z2 FET. The understanding of SCI in FET should not only include the stent length but also from where it begins.

Does endovascular duration impact clinical outcomes in aortic arch repair? The RELAY™ branched international stance.

BackgroundThe high mortality and morbidity rates in surgical aortic arch repair are a barrier to therapy for a considerable proportion of patients with aortic arch aneurysm or dissection. There is hence a demand for the development and adoption of a minimally invasive alternative to aortic arch repair, such as thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). Procedural duration is a key factor in the pathogenesis of complications in surgical aortic arch repair. Herein, we evaluate whether endovascular duration impacts neurological outcomes, target vessel patency, and reintervention rates in aortic arch TEVAR with RELAY™ Branched (Terumo Aortic, Inchinnan, UK), which is specifically developed for on-label use within the aortic arch.MethodsProspective data was collected between January 2019 and January 2022 on the clinical outcomes of TEVAR for aortic arch dissection and aneurysm with RELAY™ single-, double-, and triple branched endoprostheses from centers across Europe. They were then retrospectively analyzed with descriptive and distributive analysis. Follow-up data on the incidence of disabling stroke (DS), target vessel patency, and reintervention from 30 days and 6-, 12-, and 24 months postoperative was included in the analysis.Results147 (99.3%) of all 148 cases were successful. Over the 24 month follow-up period, in total 6 (4.1%) patients suffered DS, 24 (16.3%) required reintervention, and target vessel patency was exhibited in 118 (80.2%) patients. The modal endovascular duration was 100–150 min (in 64.6%, n = 95 cases). Analysis revealed that endovascular duration was associated with a lower likelihood of reintervention at 30 days, 6-, and 12 months (P = 0.011, P = 0.019, P = 0.037), a greater likelihood of target vessel patency at 6- and 24 months (P = 0.032, P = 0.035). No relationship between endovascular duration and DS was revealed.DiscussionThe data demonstrates that RELAY™ Branched is associated with promising clinical outcomes for on-label aortic arch TEVAR. The underlying mechanism linking endovascular duration and reintervention rates, or target vessel patency is likely multifactorial and complex. Given that TEVAR is carried out under general anesthetic only, it is unlikely that prolonged procedural duration has any major effect over neurological outcomes for arch TEVAR.

Gap distribution mapping to visualize regions associated with type 1 endoleak in a fenestrated thoracic stent graft.

OBJECTIVESOur goal was to analyse the relationships between aortic surface irregularity and a type 1 endoleak (T1EL) after a thoracic endovascular repair using the Najuta fenestrated stent graft.METHODSThe patients who were treated using the Najuta stent graft for an intact aortic arch aneurysm at the Saitama Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center between June 2013 and June 2017 were analysed retrospectively. The primary end point was the occurrence of a T1EL. The gap between a virtual aorta and the patient's aortic wall at the stent graft fixation was calculated over the whole circumference at 1 mm intervals, and gap distribution mapping was performed. The rate of freedom from a T1EL was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared between the patients with or without a continuously malapposed region of >1 mm from the branches to the aneurysm.RESULTSTwenty-one patients were analysed. During the mean follow-up period of 21.7 months, 4 patients were confirmed to have T1ELs. Three of the T1Els were detected during the perioperative period and occurred through a fenestration. The remaining patient had a T1EL 2 years postoperatively. The gap distribution mapping confirmed the presence of a continuously malapposed region of >1 mm from the cervical branch to the aneurysm postoperatively in 4 patients with T1ELs. Patients who had a continuously malapposed region of >1 mm showed a statistically lower T1EL rate than those without (p < 0.001). Malapposed regions defined using the gap distribution mapping were consistent with flow channels through T1EL fenestrations detected using the perioperative computed tomography data.CONCLUSIONSThe gap distribution mapping could be useful to predict the occurrence of T1ELs in patients with the Najuta stent graft.

Novel technique in frozen elephant trunk positioning method using the ostium of the coronary artery on transesophageal echocardiography as an index.

The frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique is useful in the single-stage treatment of aortic arch aneurysms. Since there is no established implantation method for evaluating the distal end of the FET during surgery, we propose the FET positioning method using the ostium of the coronary artery on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) as an index. We performed 11 total arch replacement operations using an FET for aortic arch aneurysm. The planned position of the FET was determined by computed tomography (CT), and the distance to the ostium of the coronary artery was measured. Intraoperatively, using TEE as a guide, the FET was implanted using our method. Postoperative CT was evaluated the distance from the planned FET position, and the average and median difference was only 0.96cm and 0.6cm, respectively. TEE-guided FET deployment using the coronary artery ostium as an index is a simple and reproducible technique.

Aortic Arch Repair Using Open and Hybrid Techniques: A Systematic Review.

Early surgical intervention is critical for treatment of aortic arch aneurysms and dissections, but limited comprehensive data exist to define the optimal approach for surgical management with respect to postoperative outcomes. We conducted a systematic review of the 2 most common surgical approaches-total arch replacement and hybrid arch repair. We referenced the electronic PubMed database reporting on outcomes for these surgical approaches from inception to June 2022. Our initial search query returned a total of 2,517 records. All records were independently screened for adherence to our inclusion criteria and a total of 12 retrospective cohort studies were identified as appropriate for inclusion. Across the included studies, a total of 618 patients underwent hybrid repair, as compared to 2,104 patients who underwent total arch replacement. We found that most of the literature supported the findings of similar rates of permanent neurologic dysfunction, acute kidney injury, and short-term mortality between approaches and higher postoperative reintervention rates following hybrid repair. Reported outcomes of studies included in this review often conflicted regarding midterm and long-term survival, as well as hospital and intensive care unit length of stay following open and hybrid repair. Future studies should address midterm and long-term survival with a prospective study design.

First-in-Human Implantation of Gutter-Free Design Stent-Graft in in situ Fenestration TEVAR for Aortic Arch Pathology.

PurposeTo report the technology and preliminary result of gutter-free design stent-grafted in in situ fenestration thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR).DescriptionThe gutter-free stent-graft has a nickel-titanium self-expanding skeleton, double polytetrafluoroethylene coating, and an outer-skirt fabric structure (named C-skirt endograft). The outer skirt fabric prevents endoleak from the gutter around the stent graft fenestration. Further, the skirt structure right under the fenestration in the aortic stent graft can function as a fixation of the side-branch artery endograft. These designs have the following advantages, such as: 1) prevention of endoleak; and 2) fixation tightly between the branch and aorta endograft pieces.EvaluationA patient who was diagnosed with an aortic arch aneurysm, combined with localized dissection, has successfully implanted the aortic stent graft and C-skirt endograft for the left subclavian artery. The 6-month follow-up result of the C-skirt in situ fenestration TEVAR is satisfactory without obvious endoleak.ConclusionsThe new gutter-free C-skirt stent graft is being safely and effectively used for aortic arch TEVAR. Long-term evaluation of safety, effectivity, and durability needs to be proven by future multi-center studies.

RELAY TM Branched-International Results of Vessel Patency and Reintervention.

BackgroundSurgical intervention remains the mainstay treatment for aortic arch aneurysm and dissection, but the high mortality and morbidity rates have led to a need for the development of minimally invasive alternatives to arch reconstruction. RELAY™ Branched (Terumo Aortic, Inchinnan, UK) represents a viable option for complex endovascular aortic arch repair. We present multi-center data from Europe documenting the efficacy of the endograft in terms of its target vessel patency and reintervention rates.MethodsProspective data collected between January 2019 and January 2022 associated with patients treated with RELAY™ single-, double-, and triple-branched endoprostheses from centers across Europe was retrospectively analyzed with descriptive and distributive analysis. Follow up data from 30 days and 6-, 12-, and 24 months postoperatively was included. Patient follow up was evaluated in terms of target vessel patency and reintervention rates.ResultsTechnical success was achieved in 147 (99.3%) cases. Over 24 months period, target vessel patency was maintained in 80.2% (n = 118) of patients. Target vessel cannulation was achieved in 146 (99.3%) cases. Over the 24-month follow-up period, 30 reintervention procedures were required, of which 29 (97%) took place within the South Europe region which accounted for 19.6% (n = 29) of total cases. Zero reinterventions were required in patients that were treated with single- or triple-branched endoprostheses.DiscussionThe data presented herein demonstrates that RELAY™ Branched is a technically efficacious device for endovascular aortic arch repair and is associated with favorable target vessel patency and reintervention rates. Key design features of the endoprosthesis and good perioperative management can contribute greatly to mitigating reintervention and loss of vessel patency following endovascular aortic arch repair.

Inferior Vena Cava—Balloon Occlusion and Its Effect on the Myocardium During Endograft Deployment in the Arch

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of cava balloon occlusion on the myocardium during endovascular repair of thoracic aortic pathologies. Material and methods: A prospective observational cohort study of 21 patients who underwent endovascular repair of aortic arch and thoracic aorta in a single tertiary referral center with use of inferior vena cava (IVC) balloon occlusion as a method of intraoperative cardiac output reduction. Pre-, intra-, and postoperative measurements of heart rate, blood pressure, stroke volume index, and central venous oxygen saturation were noted. High-sensitive serum troponin levels were also analyzed according to a pre-established protocol. Endpoints were cardiac troponin T levels after induced hypotension and left ventricular ejection fraction during follow-up. Secondary endpoints were procedure technical success and overall survival. Results: Twenty-one patients (18 male, median age 69, (62-75, IQR)) enrolled in the study between May 2015 and January 2019. Indication for endovascular treatment was an aortic arch aneurysm (n=10), descending aortic aneurysm (n=8), lusorian artery aneurysm (n=2), and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (n=1). Median time to reach half mean arterial pressure was 60 seconds while median recovery time of blood pressure was 135 seconds. In 5 (24%) cases, we observed a > 50% change of Troponin T on the reference level. Technical success was achieved in all cases. Two (10%) patients developed new and persistent atrial fibrillation and 1 (5%) suffered a peri-operative ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Conclusion: The use of IVC balloon occlusion is a feasible technique for cardiac output reduction during endovascular repair of thoracic aortic pathologies. One fourth of the patients develop significant troponin leakage but the significance of the finding needs further studies.

Aortic arch aneurysm isolated by percutaneous total endovascular arch replacement.

Aortic arch aneurysm isolated by percutaneous total endovascular arch replacement.

A canine model of aortic arch aneurysm created with autologous pericardium

BackgroundTo establish a canine model of aortic arch aneurysm that is suitable for research on new devices and techniques applied to the aortic arch. Materials and methodsFifteen mongrel dogs underwent surgery. The autologous pericardial patch was sewn on the aortotomy site in the anterior wall of the aortic arch. The animals were followed up for 3 months postoperatively. Computed tomography angiography was used to visualize and measure the aneurysm model. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to observe the histological characteristics of the aneurysm model. Changes in aneurysm diameter over time were analyzed using analysis of variance. ResultsOne dog died of hemorrhage during surgery. Fourteen dogs survived the surgical procedure. Two of them died on the first postoperative day because of ruptures at the suturing margin. The diameter of the aneurysm model was twice as large as that of the aortic arch. There was no significant change in the maximum diameter of the aneurysm model during the follow-up period. ConclusionsWe established a controllable and stable aortic arch aneurysm model created with an autologous pericardium patch. The aneurysm model can be used to research endoleaks after thoracic endovascular aortic repair and new endovascular techniques can be applied to the aortic arch.

When the Bridge Becomes Procedural Route. Stenting of Left Common Carotid Artery-Graft Anastomosis through Left Carotid-Subclavian By-Pass

Aortic arch aneurysms are pathological >1.5-fold dilatation of normal aortic arch diameter with high risk of rupture if they exceed 55 mm. Optimal medical therapy is not sufficient to modify the natural history of this condition, so interventional approach.

Early and Midterm Outcomes of Type II Hybrid Arch Repair for Complex Aortic Arch Pathology.

BackgroundThe hybrid arch repair (HAR) is an appealing surgical option in the management of aortic arch diseases. The aim is to evaluate the short and mid-term outcomes of type II HAR involving replacement of the ascending aorta, arch debranching, and zone 0 stent graft deployment in diverse arch pathologies.Methods200 patients with various diffuse aortic pathologies involving the arch were enrolled between 2016 and 2019. Complex arch diseases included acute type A dissection (n = 129, 64.5%), acute type B dissection (n = 16, 8.0%), aortic arch aneurysm (n = 42, 21.0%) and penetrating arch ulcer (n = 13, 6.5%). Mortality, morbidity, survival and re-intervention were analyzed.ResultsThe overall 30-day mortality rate was 8.0% (16/200). Stroke was present in 3.5% (7/200) of the general cohort and spinal cord injury was occurred in 3.0% (6/200). Multivariable logistic analysis showed that cardiac malperfusion and CPB time were the risk factors associated with 30-day mortality. The mean follow-up duration was 25.9 months (range 1–57.2 months), and the 3-year survival rate was 83.1%. On Cox regression analysis, age, diabetes, cardiac malperfusion and CPB time predicted short and mid-term overall mortality. A total of 3 patients required reintervention during the follow-up due to the thrombosis of epiaortic artificial vessels (n = 1), anastomotic leak at the site of the proximal ascending aorta (n = 1) and the type I endoleak (n = 1).ConclusionsType II HAR was performed with satisfactory early and mid-term outcomes in complex aortic arch pathologies.

Clinical Significance of Chest CT Scan for Previous Heavy Smoker

The patient is an 83-year-old male, who smoked 20-40 cigarettes daily during 20-75 years and quit after that. In March 2021, he revealed normal chest X-P and was explained to take chest computed tomography (CT) next year. In April 2022, chest X-P was unremarkable, but CT showed a small solid abnormal shadow in the upper left lung region nearby aortic arch and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in the upper abdomen. Almost lung cancer cases are found in current smokers or ex-smokers. Using CT, lung cancer screening shows a 20-26% decrease in cancer death. Consequently, Low-Dose CT (LDCT) for smokers would be recommended.

Aortic aneurysm in Behcet’s disease, endovascular management options

This study aims to review contemporary lines of endovasular management of Aortic aneurysm in bechet’s disease illustrating the pros and cons of each treatment modality. This is a retrospective cohort study of all consecutive Aortic aneurysms in patients diagnosed bechet’s disease treated between 2018-2021. The aim of this study is to evaluate efficacy &amp;outcome of endovascular stent graft implantation for the treatment of Aortic aneurysm in Bechet’s disease. From feb 2018 to august 2021, 11 Aortic aneurysms were diagnosed in 10 patients with Bechet’s disease. All patients were male. The patients ranged in age from 33 to 66 years (median ,41 years). There were three infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm, two supra celiac aneurysm, three descending thoracic, one Aortic arch aneurysm, and one patient had both pararenal &amp;descending thoracic aneurysm. All patients received immunosuppressive therapy before intervention to induce remission. After hospital discharge, all patients were followed up regularly at 3 months intervals. The mean duration of follow-up was 22.6 months (range ,1-39 months). A straight tube graft was implanted in nine patients and a bifurcated graft in one patient. Two stage procedures (debranching before endovascular therapy) were performed in three patients.

Hybrid repair of a distal aortic arch aneurysm with aberrant right subclavian artery and Kommerell's diverticulum: A case report

Introduction and importanceAberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) and Kommerell's diverticulum (KD) are common vascular anomalies of the aortic arch. Anatomic reconstruction of ARSA is difficult with only the median sternotomy approach.Case presentationA 55-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for a thoracic aneurysm. CT showed 46 mm diameter of distal aortic arch aneurysm with ARSA and KD. ARSA branched from the distal aortic arch and crossed behind the esophagus. It was difficult to reconstruct ARSA anatomically via the median sternotomy approach. We performed coil embolization of ARSA and total aortic arch replacement (TAR) and extra-anatomic right subclavian artery reconstruction for the distal aortic arch aneurysm with ARSA and KD. The patient was discharged home with no complications.Clinical discussionThere were differences in blood pressure of the upper extremities after coil embolization of ARSA; however, subclavian steal syndrome or cerebral complications did not occur. If there is no abnormal finding in head and neck arteries before surgery, coil embolization of ARSA is safe and open distal anastomosis of the distal aortic arch can be performed in a bloodless field.ConclusionHybrid repair by coil embolization and TAR for the distal aortic arch aneurysm with ARSA and KD were considered to be a useful in the absence of cerebral vascular stenosis or obstruction.

Comparative study of arterial wall models for numerical fluid–structure interaction simulation of aortic arch aneurysms

Comparative study of arterial wall models for numerical fluid–structure interaction simulation of aortic arch aneurysms

In Vivo Quantification of Cardiac-Pulsatility-Induced Motion Before and After Double-Branched Endovascular Aortic Arch Repair

The Relay®Branch stent-graft (Terumo Aortic, Sunrise, FL, USA) offers a custom-made endovascular solution for complex aortic arch pathologies. In this technical note, a modified electrocardiography (ECG)-gated computed tomography (CT)-based algorithm was applied to quantify cardiac-pulsatility-induced changes of the aortic arch geometry and motion before and after double-branched endovascular repair (bTEVAR) of an aortic arch aneurysm. This software algorithm has the potential to provide novel and clinically relevant insights in the influence of bTEVAR on aortic anatomy, arterial compliance, and stent-graft dynamics.