Aortic Arch Vessels Research Articles

Maintaining the permanence principle for death during in situ normothermic regional perfusion for donation after circulatory death organ recovery: A United Kingdom and Canadian proposal.

There is international variability in the determination of death. Death in donation after circulatory death (DCD) can be defined by the permanent cessation of brain circulation. Post‐mortem interventions that restore brain perfusion should be prohibited as they invalidate the diagnosis of death. Retrieval teams should develop protocols that ensure the continued absence of brain perfusion during DCD organ recovery. In situ normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) or restarting the heart in the donor's body may interrupt the permanent cessation of brain perfusion because, theoretically, collateral circulations may restore it. We propose refinements to current protocols to monitor and exclude brain reperfusion during in situ NRP. In abdominal NRP, complete occlusion of the descending aorta prevents brain perfusion in most cases. Inserting a cannula in the ascending aorta identifies inadequate occlusion of the descending aorta or any collateral flow and diverts flow away from the brain. In thoracoabdominal NRP opening the aortic arch vessels to atmosphere allows collateral flow to be diverted away from the brain, maintaining the permanence standard for death and respecting the dead donor rule. We propose that these hypotheses are correct when using techniques that simultaneously occlude the descending aorta and open the aortic arch vessels to atmosphere.

Coronary arteries and aortic arch vessels in long-term active ultra-marathon runners and non-athletic controls.

Coronary arteries and aortic arch vessels in long-term active ultra-marathon runners and non-athletic controls.

The Role of Dual-Source Computed Tomography Angiography in Evaluating the Aortic Arch Vessels in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection: A Retrospective Study of 42 Patients.

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the role of dual-source computed tomography angiography (DSCTA) to evaluate the anatomy of the aortic arch vessels in patients with acute Type A aortic dissection (AD).Material/MethodsA retrospective clinical study included 42 patients with acute Type A AD who underwent DSCTA and were treated in our hospital between January 2018 and December 2018. The findings were compared with a control group of 45 healthy individuals with hypertension and without aortic arch lesions.ResultsThe diagnostic accuracy of DSCTA in patients with acute Type A AD was almost 100%. The innominate artery was most frequently affected. The mean DSCTA imaging measurements for the root of the innominate artery, the left common carotid artery, and the left subclavian artery, in the coronal plane of the aortic arch, were 17.7±3.7 mm, 17.7±3.7 mm, and 12.9±3.1 mm, respectively. The angles formed by the origin of the three aortic arch branches vessels and the aortic arch were 70.5±10.2°, 58.5±15.5°, and 90.2±22.7°, respectively. In the transverse plane of the aortic arch, the mean angles were 110.5±22.3°, 100.3±15.2°, and 95.4±10.6°, respectively. These DSCTA imaging findings were significantly different in the patient group compared with the control group.ConclusionsDCTA demonstrated that patients with Type A AD showed anatomic differences in the aortic arch vessels. These findings may help surgeons to develop treatment strategies and select the most appropriate vascular grafts and stents.

Necrotizing Infection of the Aortic Arch: Reconstruction Utilizing Unusual Extra-anatomic Bypass Grafts to Reroute Cerebral Blood Flow.

Destructive infections of the aortic arch and great vessels are challenging to manage. We describe a novel technique for debranching the right cerebral and upper extremity arteries via composite extra-anatomic bypasses from the femoral artery, with subsequent homograft in-line reconstruction of the arch, in a patient with Staphylococcus sepsis and necrosis of the arch and great vessels.

Origin of Bilateral Subclavian Arteries From the Site of Coarctation: A Rare Configuration

A 4-year-old male child presented with pain in his bilateral upper limbs. Pulses were feeble in all 4 limbs. Blood pressures recorded in the right upper limb, left upper limb, right lower limb, and left lower limb were 80/60 mm Hg, 84/54 mm Hg, 70/52 mm Hg, and 68/50 mm Hg, respectively. Transthoracic echocardiography established the diagnosis of coarctation of aorta, and the patient was referred for cardiac computed tomographic angiography for further evaluation of the aorta, the aortic arch vessels, and any other associated anomalies. Computed tomographic angiography revealed a left-sided aortic arch with a tight discrete juxtaductal coarctation (yellow arrow), with the narrowest segment measuring approximately 4.7 mm. Incidentally, a unique arrangement of the arch vessels was observed wherein the aberrant right subclavian artery (aRSCA) and the left subclavian artery (LSCA) were seen to arise from the coarctation segment (Figures 1A, 1B ). The right common carotid artery was also seen to have an early bifurcation within the thoracic inlet. Additional findings included a bicuspid aortic valve and prolapse of the anterior mitral valve leaflet. No other intracardiac defect was noted. The origin of both subclavian arteries from the coarctation segment is exceedingly rare. The posterior cerebral circulation may be at risk in the event of an inadvertent iatrogenic dissection, thus complicating therapeutic balloon dilatation of aortic coarctation, extending into the precariously placed subclavian arteries. The described anatomy also places the patient at a higher risk for paraplegia during surgical repair secondary to aortic cross-clamping proximal to the coarctation segment because supply to both spinal arteries will be hampered.

Reduced maternal vitamin A status increases the incidence of normal aortic arch variants.

While common in the general population, the developmental origins of "normal" anatomic variants of the aortic arch remain unknown. Aortic arch development begins with the establishment of the second heart field (SHF) that contributes to the pharyngeal arch arteries (PAAs). The PAAs remodel during subsequent development to form the mature aortic arch and arch vessels. Retinoic acid signaling involving the biologically active metabolite of vitamin A, plays a key role in multiple steps of this process. Recent work from our laboratory indicates that the E3 ubiquitin ligase Hectd1 is required for full activation of retinoic acid signaling during cardiac development. Furthermore, our study suggested that mild alterations in retinoic acid signaling combined with reduced gene dosage of Hectd1, results in a benign aortic arch variant where the transverse aortic arch is shortened between the brachiocephalic and left common carotid arteries. These abnormalities are preceded by hypoplasia of the fourth PAA. To further explore this interaction, we investigate whether reduced maternal dietary vitamin A intake can similarly influence aortic arch development. Our findings indicate that the incidence of hypoplastic fourth PAAs, as well as the incidence of shortened transverse arch are increased with reduced maternal vitamin A intake during pregnancy. These studies provide new insights as to the developmental origins of these benign aortic arch variants.

Aortic arch aneurysms and dissection-open repair is the gold standard.

The aortic arch repair is one of the most complex surgeries and carries a high risk of complications as well as mortality. Since 1975, when the arch repair was first done by Randall B. Griepp using hypothermic circulatory arrest, many new technologies were introduced. But even with the use of antegrade and retrograde perfusion techniques and improvement of surgical techniques and grafts, the rate of mortality, cerebral, spinal, and visceral damage was much higher as compared to any other cardiac surgeries. With further developments aimed at less invasive approaches, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) along with de-branching of supra-aortic vessels or the frozen elephant trunk was introduced. Here, in this article, we review the myriad of approaches to the aortic arch and have come to a conclusion that while traditional open surgery is considered as the gold standard for treatment of extensive aortic arch pathologies, one school of thought suggests hybrid techniques such as the frozen elephant trunk and aortic arch vessel de-branching as more appropriate procedures for high-risk patients, where co-morbidities may contraindicate cardiopulmonary bypass and longer operative times required for traditional repair. No randomized trials are present to compare between open and hybrid or endovascular procedure in normal or high-risk patients. The meta-analysis of most of the studies defines open surgery as the gold standard for arch pathology because the hybrid procedures did not provide any proven survival benefits or decrease in stroke rate and spinal ischemia when compared to open surgery in early, mid, or long-term results.

Successful clinical transplantation of hearts donated after circulatory death using normothermic regional perfusion.

Heart transplantation (HT) from donation after circulatory death (DCD) has yet to achieve wide clinical application despite the encouraging resultsreported recently. In this study we describe 2 cases of successful adult DCD HT performed at our institution using an original protocol. Our local abdominal DCD protocol was updated to allow DCD heart procurement, and was accepted by the institutional ethics committee. The main features of the protocol include: pre-mortem insertion of peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cannulas; thoracoabdominal normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) by clamping the 3 aortic arch vessels to exclude cerebral circulation; and in-situ heart resuscitation. The retrieved hearts were directly transplanted into recipients located in an adjoining operating room. The procurement warm ischemic time was 25 minutes for the first donor, and 26 minutes for the second donor. The cold ischemic time was 16 minutes for the first recipient and 17 minutes for the second recipient. The suture time was 30 minutes for the first recipient, and 53 minutes for the second recipient. Both recipients were easily weaned off cardiopulmonary bypass in sinus rhythm and inotropic support. Post-operative evaluation of cardiac function was excellent and the patients were subsequently discharged home. Transplantation of hearts from DCD donors is now a clinical reality.NRP is a useful tool for resuscitation, reperfusion, and preservation of transplanted hearts. It also offers the opportunity to assess the function and viability of organs before transplantation. However,due to ethical issues, some may object to ante-mortem intervention.

Stenosis and Pseudostenosis of the Upper Extremity Arteries in Large-Vessel Vasculitis.

ObjectivePseudostenosis is a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) artifact that mimics arterial stenosis. The study objective was to compare imaging and clinical aspects of stenosis and pseudostenosis in a cohort of large‐vessel vasculitis (LVV), including giant‐cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu's arteritis (TAK).MethodsPatients with LVV and comparator conditions (healthy or vasculopathies) underwent MRA of the aortic arch vessels. The subclavian and axillary arteries were systematically assessed for presence of stenosis and pseudostenosis by two independent readers. Serial and delayed imaging and clinical assessments were used to confirm suspected pseudostenoses. Multivariable regression analyses were used to identify associations between angiographic pathology and clinical findings.ResultsOne hundred eighty‐four MRA scans were analyzed from patients with GCA (n = 36), TAK (n = 47), and comparators (n = 25). Pseudostenoses were frequently observed (48 of 184 scans, 26%) in the distal subclavian artery only on the side of injection and were shorter in length compared with true stenoses (25 mm vs 78 mm, P < 0.01). There was no difference in prevalence of pseudostenosis by diagnosis (GCA = 33%, TAK = 23%, comparator = 20%, P = 0.44), disease activity status (P = 0.31), or treatment status (P = 1.00). Percent and length of true stenosis were independently associated with pulse and blood pressure abnormalities in the upper extremity. Adjusting for length and stenosis degree, absence of collateral arteries was associated with arm claudication (odds ratio = 2.37, P = 0.03).ConclusionAlthough a pseudostenosis could be falsely interpreted as an arterial stenosis, radiographic and associated clinical features can help distinguish true disease from arterial susceptibility artifacts. In addition, the peripheral vascular examination can help to confirm a suspected true stenosis, as specific aspects of angiographic pathology are associated with vascular examination abnormalities in LVV.

Rare Case of a Five‐Branched Aortic Arch Exhibiting a Retroesophageal Right Subclavian Artery and an Accessory Left Vertebral Artery

Head and neck vascular variations are common in human beings, but often go undetected. They are generally asymptomatic. Awareness of such anatomical variations is clinically important for surgeons and interventional radiologists as they may pose risk for iatrogenic complications or even the potential for unanticipated fatalities.Although aortic arch variations are relatively common in human fetuses, variations of its branches, i.e. the brachiocephalic trunk, the subclavian arteries, the vertebral arteries, and the common carotid arteries, are observed and/or described variably and fairly infrequently during human cadaveric dissection.When aberrant subclavian arteries are described in adults, they frequently involve the right side and are usually retroesophageal. In such cases, the right brachiocephalic trunk is absent. The following four branches of the aortic arch found most commonly then are: a left subclavian artery, an aberrant left vertebral artery, and right and left common carotid arteries. During cadaveric dissection of a 76 year‐old White male, we observed an additional fifth branch: an accessory left vertebral artery. A combination of five such aortic arch vessels in a single individual may be rare.Disclaimer: The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private ones of the author/speaker and are not to be construed as official or reflecting the views of the Department of Defense, the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences or any other agency of the U.S. Government.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

A Case of Type I Debranching Complicated by Anastomotic Pseudoaneurysm: Do Not Ask Too Much of the Ascending Aorta.

Treatment of aortic arch aneurysm with standard open surgery is technically demanding, and associated morbidity and mortality are not insignificant. In high-risk patients, hybrid procedures with debranching and reimplantation or bypass of the aortic arch vessel followed by thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in the aortic arch represent a valid alternative to open surgery. However, when the ascending aorta is mildly dilated, the risk of retrograde dissection increases sharply. Here, we report a case of thoracic aortic aneurysm, with normal ascending aorta diameter, treated with Type I debranching and anterograde TEVAR complicated by anastomotic pseudoaneurysm and acute endocarditis, treated ultimately with ascending aortic repair and aortic valve replacement.

Initial results of thoracic endovascular repair for uncomplicated type B aortic dissection involving the arch vessels using a semicustom-made thoracic fenestrated stent graft

ObjectiveThoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for selected type B aortic dissection (TBAD) is a standard treatment; however, TBAD involving the aortic arch is difficult to treat because of the need for arch vessel reconstruction. We report our initial results of TEVAR for uncomplicated TBAD involving the arch vessels using a semicustom-made fenestrated stent graft. MethodsThis is a retrospective study of 24 patients treated by fenestrated (F group) or debranching (D group) TEVAR from August 2011 to July 2017. The patients in the F group received the Najuta semicustom-made fenestrated stent graft (Kawasumi Laboratories, Tokyo, Japan). The fenestrated graft ensures sufficient sealing at the proximal healthy aorta without the need for arch vessel reconstruction. The primary end point was aorta-related mortality; the secondary end points were technical success and major adverse events (stroke, type IA endoleak, retrograde type A aortic dissection, and secondary intervention). ResultsDuring the study period, we treated 65 TBAD cases by TEVAR, including 17 complicated cases. Of the 48 uncomplicated cases, 24 underwent TEVAR with arch vessel involvement (13 in the F group and 11 in the D group). The technical success rates in the F and D groups were 92.3% and 100.0%, respectively (P > .99, NS). The mean operation time was significantly shorter in the F group (158 minutes) than in the D group (202 minutes; P = .0426), and the mean postoperative hospital stay was also significantly shorter in the F group (7 days) than in the D group (22 days; P = .0168). The primary patency rate of the reconstructed branch vessel was 100%, and there were no aorta-related deaths or retrograde type A aortic dissection in either group. One patient had a type IA endoleak in the F group. In the D group, one patient had a postoperative stroke and two patients required secondary interventions for stent graft-induced new entry at the descending aorta. The median follow-up period was 14.1 months (range, 1-37 months). The rate of freedom from aorta-related death was 100% in both groups (P > .99, NS); the rate of freedom from major adverse events at 24 months was 92.3% in the F group and 72.7% in the D group (P = .749, NS). ConclusionsThe initial results of TEVAR with aortic arch vessel reconstruction for uncomplicated TBAD were acceptable. The fenestrated graft may be a less invasive option for the treatment of TBAD involving the aortic arch.

Nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve: A rare clinical presentation in thyroid surgery- A report of 2 cases

Surgical damage to the inferior laryngeal nerve is one of the most feared complications of thyroid surgery. A detailed knowledge of anatomical variations is necessary. Nonrecurrent inferior laryngeal nerve is a rare anomaly on the right side and is exceptional on the left. The typical course of the inferior laryngeal nerve is due to the embryological development of the aortic arch and supra-aortic vessels, and nonrecurrence is associated with a vascular anomaly such as a right retroesophageal subclavian artery. The nervous anomaly on the left side is possible only with the occurrence of cardiac dextroposition (situs inversus) and a left retroesophageal subclavian artery. The situation is more dangerous when a nonrecurrent branch of the inferior laryngeal nerve is associated with a recurrent branch. This anomaly does not appear to be associated with a vascular anomaly in all cases. We came across two cases of NRLN after performing 965 thyroid surgeries.

Эхокардиография для решения кардиохирургических задач у новорожденных и детей раннего возраста с аномалиями дуги аорты и брахиоцефальных сосудов

Эхокардиография для решения кардиохирургических задач у новорожденных и детей раннего возраста с аномалиями дуги аорты и брахиоцефальных сосудов

Image Predictors of Treatment Outcome after Thoracic Aortic Dissection Repair.

Treatment of thoracic aortic dissection remains highly challenging and is rapidly evolving. Common classifications of thoracic aortic dissection include the Stanford classification (types A and B) and the DeBakey classification (types I to III), as well as a new supplementary classification geared toward endovascular decision making. By using various imaging techniques, the extent of the dissection, the location of the primary intimal tear, the shape of the aortic arch, and the zonal involvement of the aortic arch-factors that affect the treatment strategy-can easily be identified. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is generally performed in two groups of patients: (a) those with a surgically repaired type A dissection, and (b) those with a complicated type B dissection. Several imaging findings can help predict the course of remodeling of the dissected aorta after a repaired type A dissection and TEVAR. A spectrum of imaging findings exist with regard to favorable (positive) or failing (negative) remodeling. A schematic model with imaging support allows the classification of important causes of failing remodeling into proximal and distal groups, on the basis of the origin of the refilling of the false lumen and the underlying pathophysiology of pressurization. Refilling of the false lumen of the aorta after repair of a type A dissection is usually secondary to a persistent intimal tear at the aortic arch, a leak of the distal graft anastomosis, or refilling from the false lumen of a dissected aortic arch vessel. After TEVAR, false lumen refilling is most commonly due to an incomplete seal of the proximal landing related to the aortic tortuosity, an arch branch stump, a supra-arch chimney stent, or the TEVAR technique. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ©RSNA, 2018.

Identification of candidates for PFO closure in the echocardiography laboratory.

A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is implicated in several pathologic processes, including that of cryptogenic stroke (cCVA). Recent trials identify "high-risk" PFOs in patients with cCVA as likely to benefit from percutaneous closure. The younger the patient (<60years old) the more likely a PFO may be attributable to the cCVA. The RoPE Score index helps determine the likelihood that an existing PFO is related to a cCVA. This may help guide the clinician and patient when contemplating percutaneous PFO closure. When evaluating a patient for possible percutaneous closure, one should identify the CVA as a typical ischemic type stroke. In order to "rule-out" other causes of CVA, imaging of the intracranial arteries, cervical, and aortic arch vessels should be performed. Small vessel disease or a lacunar-type infarct should be excluded. To rule out atrial fibrillation, prolonged monitoring should be performed. An index has been developed to determine the probability that a PFO is the causative etiology and calculates the risk of recurrence. This may help guide the clinician and patient in the decision for PFO closure. In addition, one should consider a work-up for a hypercoagulable state. We will obtain an ultrasound of the lower extremities or consider deep pelvic vein thrombosis (prolonged sitting or malignancy). If the closure is to be performed, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Amplatzer PFO Occluder and the GORE Cardioform Septal Occluder for percutaneous closure. These devices are both approved in patients predominately between ages 18 and 60years with a cCVA due to presumed paradoxical embolism as verified by a neurologist and cardiologist and when other causes of ischemic CVA have been excluded. "High-risk" PFOs appear to achieve the most potential benefit from percutaneous closure.

Anatomical variations of aortic arch vessels in Japanese patients with aortic arch disease

The present study analyzed the prevalence of variations of the aortic arch branching in Japanese population, comparing patients with aortic arch disease with healthy controls. Between from October 1999 and December 2015, 815 Japanese patients with aortic arch disease defined as aortic arch aneurysm (diameter ≥ 45mm) and aortic dissection (group A) underwent aortic arch surgery in our institution. As a control group, 1506 traumatic screened patients were enrolled (group C). Aortic arch anomaly was diagnosed in 140 patients (17.2%) in the group A and in 222 patients (14.7%) in the group C (p = 0.125). Significant differences were found in the incidence of aberrant subclavian artery (A: 14 patients, 1.7%, vs. C: 8 patients, 0.5%, p = 0.006). Significantly more patients with aortic arch aneurysm in the group A had anomalies of the aortic arch compared with the group C (p = 0.009), including bovine aortic arch (p = 0.049) and aberrant subclavian artery (p < 0.001). In term of aneurysm location, bovine arch was detected in more patients with proximal arch aneurysm (15.7%, p = 0.043), whereas aberrant subclavian artery was in more patients with distal location (3.7%, p < 0.001). No difference was found in aortic arch anomaly in patients with acute or chronic dissection. Aberrant subclavian artery was a significant maker of aortic arch disease in Japanese populations. Bovine arch was a risk maker of proximal arch aneurysm, and aberrant subclavian artery was a risk factor of distal arch aneurysm.

TCT-86 3-years Follow-Up of Succesful Endovascular Interventions in Takayasu Arteritis involving Aorta and Aortic Arch Vessels

Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a systemic large vessel chronic inflammatory disease due to autoimmune etiology, and affecting the major aorta and its branches. In India, it was reported that vasculitis generally occurs in the abdominal aorta involving renal arteries, and extending into the thoracic

Hybrid aortic arch repair: 10-year experience from India.

Hybrid aortic arch replacement (HAAR) is emerging as a safe treatment alternative for aortic arch pathologies. HAAR is divided into three groups. We have assessed our outcome for all three types of HAAR. From January 2007 to December 2016, we have performed 119 endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) of the aorta of which 56 were hybrid aortic arch repair. The hybrid repair entailed aortic arch vessel debranching and concomitant/delayed antegrade ± retrograde EVAR stent grafting of the arch. For group I and II hybrid patients, we debranch the supra-aortic arch vessels without the aid of circulatory arrest. EVAR was performed on the following day. In group III, hybrid antegrade EVAR of the thoracic aorta and arch reconstruction was performed in single stage. Of the 56 patients, 16 were in group I, 32 in group II, and 8 in group III. Mean age was 59.9 ± 9.4years with 78.57% (n = 44) being males. Aortic dissection was the primary pathology in 31 (55.36%) patients followed by aneurysm in 24 (42.86%) patients. Marfans syndrome was present in 28.57% (n = 16) patients. Redosternotomy was performed in 10.71% patients (n = 6). Incidence of stroke was 5.38% (n = 3) and there was no patients with renal dysfunction requiring hemodialysis. There were two retrograde aortic dissections and two endoleaks, both in group I patients. Thirty days in-hospital mortality was 5.38% (2 in group I and 1 in group II). Hybrid aortic arch replacement can be performed with good postoperative outcome. Type II hybrid is better than type I hybrid in our experience. As experience increases, the outcome continues to improve.

Hybrid Endovascular Exclusion of a Bleeding Innominate Artery Pseudoaneurysm in a Patient With No Open Surgical Options

Abstract Mycotic pseudoaneurysms (MPs) rarely affect the aortic arch vessels and usually require surgical resection for definitive treatment. In this case, a 58-year-old woman developed a bleeding innominate artery MP after primary lung cancer resection complicated by an infected chest wound. Because of her previous surgery, irradiation, and chest wall reconstruction, she was not a candidate for open resection. A hybrid endovascular approach successfully excluded her innominate artery MP through placement of an aortic arch stent graft. Cerebral circulation was maintained through a periscoped left common carotid artery stent graft to the descending thoracic aorta graft, which supplied a left-to-right carotid-carotid bypass.