Aneurysm Of Ascending Aorta Research Articles

High brachial arterial cannulation is safe for cardiac surgery

A 70-year-old male patient was operated for severe mitral insufficiency, aortic valve stenosis, ascending aorta aneurysm, and coronary artery disease. Upper brachial arterial cannulation was performed to establish cardiopulmonary bypass. Aortic and mitral valves replaced with prosthetic mechanical valves and a 30-mm synthetic graft was interposed to the ascending aorta. Finally, five distal anastomoses were performed for multivessel coronary artery disease over a total 118-min cross-clamp time. After an uneventful recovery, the patient was discharged in the postoperative sixth day without any complication. In conclusion, we believe that high brachial arterial cannulation to establish antegrade selective cerebral perfusion seems to be a safe alternative method.

Risk of aortic dissection in patients with ascending aorta aneurysm: a new biological, morphological, and biomechanical network behind the aortic diameter

Thoracic aortic aneurysm represents a deadly condition, particularly when it evolves into rupture and dissection. Proper surgical timing is the key to positively influencing the survival of patients with this pathology. According to the most recent guidelines, ascending aorta size ≥ 55 mm and a rate of growth ≥ 0.5 cm per year are the most important factors for surgical indication. Nevertheless, a lot of evidence show that aortic ruptures and dissections might occur also in small size ascending aorta. In this review, we sought to analyze a new biological and morphological network behind the aortic diameter that need to be considered in order to identify the portion of patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm who are at increased risk of aortic complications, despite current aortic guidelines not advising surgical intervention in this group

Acute Type A Aortic Dissection After TAVR in an Octogenarian With AscendingAorta Aneurysm.

Acute Type A Aortic Dissection After TAVR in an Octogenarian With AscendingAorta Aneurysm.

The layer-specific biomechanical properties of dissecting ascending aortic aneurysm (Stanford type A of dissection)

Purpose: The aims of this paper was the analysis of the mechanical properties of dissected wall of the ascending aortic aneurysm (n = 12). Methods: All aortas were collected from men (mean age: 48 ± 12 years, mean diameter of the aneurysm: 49 mm ± 4 mm). The mechanical properties were determined based on directional tensile test. The biomechanical assay was complemented by conducting histological analysis (hematoxylin and eosin, Mallory’s trichrome, Azan stain). Results: The highest values (median) of failure Cauchy stress, failure force, Young’s modulus and stiffness coefficient were obtained for the adventitia (max = 1.40 MPa, Fmax = 4.05 N, E = 26.11 MPa, k = 1.06 N/mm). Conclusions: The results indicate that the mechanical function of the adventitia in healthy tissue and dissected ascending aorta aneurysm is the same, i.e., it protects the vessel against destruction. The failure Cauchy stresses found in the media and intima are comparable and amounted to 0.23 and 0.21 MPa, respectively. The results indicate that dissection affects the mechanical properties of ascending aorta wall layers. The mechanical loads are probably transferred within the dissected aneurysmal wall not only through the media, but also through the intima.

Circulating soluble receptor of advanced glycation end product is associated with bicuspid aortic aneurysm progression via NF-κB pathway.

OBJECTIVESPatients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) have a high risk of aortic dilation and adverse vascular events. Previous studies had reported soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) to compete with receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE) for ligand binding and inhibit the activation of nuclear-factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) transcription. Thus, sRAGE serum levels may contribute to the clinical diagnosis and monitoring of ascending aorta aneurysm in patients with BAV.METHODSTo eliminate the confounding factors, 44 patients with BAV were divided into 3 subgroups according to the diameter of ascending aorta, and 20 patients with tricuspid aortic valve and normal-sized ascending aorta were selected as a control group. Protein levels and gene transcription of several variates were evaluated in the tissue and serum samples from these patients. Human aortic smooth muscle cells were treated with AGE-BSA in gradient concentrations, and changes in phenotype and protein and mRNA levels were detected.RESULTSSerum levels of sRAGE in the 3 BAV groups were obviously higher than those in the tricuspid aortic valve group, although there was negative correlation between the serum sRAGE levels and ascending aortic diameters among patients with BAV. Transcript expression levels of RAGE and NF-κBp65 mRNA were increased in the 3 BAV groups and RAGE/NF-κB pathway was activated with the progression of ascending aortic aneurysm. Abnormal activation of RAGE/NF-κB pathway was observed in AGE-BSA-treated human aortic smooth muscle cells.CONCLUSIONSOur study has shown a trend in serum levels of sRAGE among patients with BAV, and that the cellular and extracellular pathological processes are quite serious even in the normal-sized or slightly dilated aorta. Together, the findings indicated that sRAGE may be used as a biomarker to predict aneurysm expansion rates and the risk of adverse vascular events.

Aortic diameter, pulse wave velocity, central aortic pulse pressure, left ventricular parameters, and diastolic dysfunction in patients with aortic aneurysm

Abstract Background The enlargement of aortic aneurysm can alters pulse wave propagation and reflection, which may influence to left ventricular (LV) afterload changes. The relevance of pulse wave velocity (PWV) and central blood pressure depending on the locus of the aneurysm for LV structure and diastolic function (DF) are not clearly unknown. Purpose Assess the relationship between central pulse pressure (CPP), PWV and LV structure and DF in patients with ascending aortic aneurysm (AA) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Methods 121 patients (95 male, 63±12 years) with aortic aneurysms and preserved LV systolic function were enrolled before aortic repair. 51 patients (37 male, 54±13 years) had AA and 70 patients (58 male, 69±7 years) had AAA. CPP and PWV were measured using applanation tonometry. A echocardiographic exam was performed with a Vivid 7 GE (USA). LV mass index (LVMI) and relative wall thickness (RWT) were calculated according to standard formulas. LV filling pressure (E/Em) was estimated by Doppler-derived ratio of mitral inflow velocity (E) to septal (Em) by tissue Doppler. Transmitral flow patterns (E/A ratio of E to late (A) ventricular filling velocities) were measured with the pulsed doppler method. Results Concentric LV hypertrophy (LVH) was observed in 51 (42%), eccentric LVH – in 35 (29%) patients. CPP was positively related with LVMI (r=0.362, P=0.001), but PWV was inversely associated with LVMI (r=−0.244, P=0.029). CPP was not associated with RWT (P≥0.5), whereas PWV was positively related (r=0.223, P=0.004). PWV decreased with increasing aortic diameter in AA and AAA (r=−0.360, P=0.029 and r=−0.315, P=0.019, respectively). 12 (23%) patients with AA and 36 (56%) patients with AAA had grade I diastolic dysfunction, 20 (40%) patients with AA and 12 (18%) patients with AAA had grade II diastolic dysfunction (P<0.001). Consequently, the E/A ratio was higher in patients with AA than in patients with AAA (1.21±0.39 vs 0.83±0.33; P=0.007). CPP and PWV was inversely associated with LV DF (E/A: r=−0.352 and −0.238; E/Em: r=−0.292 and −0.279, respectively; both P<0.05). E/A and E/Em increased with the expansion of the maximum aortic diameter at the level of the AA and AAA (E/A: r=0.612 and 0.416; E/Em: r=0.719 and 0.339, respectively; both P<0.005). RWT and LVMI were correlated with the aortic diameter at the level of the AA (r=−0.439, P=0.008 and r=0.286, P=0.05, respectively), but bore no relation with the aortic diameter at the level of the AAA. Conclusions In patients with aortic aneurysm CPP and PWV were conjointly but differently related to LV structure. Eccentric LV hypertrophy was accompanied by a significant decrease of PWV. Reduced PWV and decreased CPP exhibited association with more severe LV diastolic dysfunction, possibly due to the apparent effect of increased aortic aneurysm diameter. LV DF was severely reduced in the patients with AA compared by patients with AAA. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Almazov National Medical Research Centre

Computational fluid dynamics to access the future risk of ascending aortic aneurysms

Abstract Background A methodology to identify patients with ascending aortic aneurysm (AsAA) under high risk of aortic growth is not completely defined. Objective This research seeks to numerically characterize the blood flow and relate resulting stress distribution with AsAA growth. Methods Analytical, observational, single-center study in which a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) protocol was applied to aortic Computed Tomography Angiogram (CTA) images of patients with AsAA. Two (CTA) exams with at least one year of difference were obtained. From the CTA-gathered images, three-dimensional models were generated, and clinical data were registered. Study of velocity field and coherent structures (vortices) was performed aiming to relate them to aneurysm growth or non-growth, and thereafter to compare with the clinical data of these patients. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to evaluate the normality distribution and for non-normal distribution, the non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test was applied for comparisons of paired data of the aortic angles. Statistical significance was set at 5%. Results The incident jet in the aortic wall generated recirculation areas in the posterior region of the jet, inducing complex vortices formation, for the group that presented aneurysm growth, leading to an increase of the average pressure at the ascending aortic wall (Fig. 1), between exams. While for the group without aneurysm growth, the average pressure decreased. Conclusion This pilot study showed that CFD based upon CTA may in the near future be a tool to help identify flow patterns associated with AsAA remodeling process. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1. Axialvelocity. Iso-surface-without-growthFigure 2. Isosurface of Q-criterion. Without growth

AORTIC ROOT ABSCESS: A RARE COMPLICATION OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS EPIDERMIDIS PROSTHETIC VALVE ENDOCARDITIS

TOPIC: Chest Infections TYPE: Fellow Case Reports INTRODUCTION: Aortic root abscess is a lethal complication of infective endocarditis. Here, we report a case of aortic root abscess that occurred as a complication of S. epidermidis prosthetic valve endocarditis, which is a rare cause of aortic abscess. CASE PRESENTATION: 71-year-old woman with complex cardiac history including a bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement, ascending aorta aneurysm repair, and coronary artery bypass graft x4 presented to the ER with worsening chest pain, fevers, chills and rigors. On arrival, temperature was 97.5°F heart rate was 61 beats/min, respiratory rate was 20 per minute and blood pressure was 139/82 mm Hg. On exam, she had a grade 4/6 ejection systolic murmur, heard best at the right upper sternal border radiating to carotids. Laboratory investigations showed hemoglobin, 10.5 g/ dL; total leukocyte count, 10 k/uL with 80% neutrophils; platelet count, 311 k/uL; and sedimentation rate, 74 mm/hr. Rest of the labs were normal. She tested negative for SARS-Cov-2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Blood cultures grew isolated Staphylococcus epidermidis. She was persistently bacteremic on vancomycin monotherapy and required ceftaroline and daptomycin combination therapy for clearance of bacteremia. Transesophageal echo cardiography was obtained which showed an area of echolucency adjacent to the posterior aortic valve annulus suggestive of abscess. PET CT was obtained, confirmed the diagnosis of aortic abscess. She was referred to Mayo Clinic. She underwent, extensive debridement of previously implanted tissue aortic valve and entire root complex, coronary artery bypass grafting and aortic root replacement. DISCUSSION: Aortic root abscess is a life-threatening complication of aortic valve endocarditis, known to occur in patients with native and prosthetic aortic valves. Staphylococcus aureus is the reported as most common cause. Persistent fever, shortness of breath, chest pain and other signs of severe aortic regurgitations are the most common presentation. Aggressive surgical debridement and medical therapy are the key to treatment. If untreated, can result in severe valvular dysfunction, fistula formation, perforation of cusps, pseudoaneurysm, obstruction of coronary flow or fatal arrhythmia. Even with surgery, reported mortality remains high 12.2-30%. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic root abscess should be considered as a diagnosis in persistently febrile and bacteremic patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis and should be treated promptly with surgical debridement and reconstruction. REFERENCE #1: Chen G-J, Lo W-C, Tseng H-W, Pan S-C, Chen Y-S, Chang S-C. Outcome of surgical intervention for aortic root abscess: a meta-analysis. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2018;53:807–14 DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Rosa Cruz Torres, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Dorothy Kenny, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Sanu Rajendraprasad, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Manasa Velagapudi, source=Web Response

The Histopathological Correlate of Peri-Vascular Adipose Tissue Attenuation on Computed Tomography in Surgical Ascending Aorta Aneurysms: Is This a Measure of Tissue Inflammation?

On computed tomography (CT) imaging, a peri-vascular adipose tissue attenuation (pVAT) measure has been proposed as a non-invasive correlate of inflammation in the coronary artery vessels, and a single research group provided histopathological demonstration of this radiological/pathological correspondence. Our group has shown that patients with surgical-grade ascending aorta (AA) aneurysm display higher pVAT compared with patients with smaller aneurysms or normal AA. Based on histopathological studies on coronary arteries, we speculated that this correlation may be related to a non-otherwise specified aortic inflammatory process. However, since adipose tissue around the AA is often scant, and there are no histopathological studies confirming such hypothesized association between higher pVAT and inflammation around the AA, we cannot exclude that this pVAT change is secondary to different mechanisms, unrelated to the actual presence of peri-vascular inflammation. We performed a retrospective clinical/radiological/pathological study in 78 patients who underwent AA surgery with the aim to correlate pre-operatory pVAT on CT with histopathological findings from the surgical specimens. Histopathological review and immunohistochemistry were performed on the surgical aortic samples. The AA adventitial/periadventitial adipose tissue had higher pVAT by an increasing collagen fiber deposition, which progressively makes the fat hypotrophic and, in the late stages of this process, it replaces the normal soft tissue composition in this location. In the ascending aorta, pVAT on CT imaging is probably not a proxy for the presence of current vascular inflammation, although it may track changes involving the progressive substitution of perivascular adipose cells by higher-pVAT tissues, mainly fibrotic replacement.

Immediate and Long-Term Results of Treatment of Aneurysms of Ascending Aorta and Aortic Arch and Substantiation of Tactical Approaches to the Treatment Based on the Obtained Results

Acute aortic dissection is a formidable disease. Its prevalence increases due to the population aging, as well as wider awareness of physicians about this pathology.
 The aim. To analyze immediate and long-term results of surgical treatment of aneurysms of ascending aorta and aortic arch and to determine optimal methods of correction of these lesions in order to improve the results of surgical treatment.
 Materials and methods. This was a comparative analysis of immediate and long-term treatment outcomes in 419 patients with aneurysms of ascending aorta and aortic arch. A comparative analysis of the results of treatment of two groups of patients was performed: the comparison group of 157 people operated before 2013, and the main group of 262 patients operated since 2013 using modified methods of aortic surgery.
 Results. The study showed significant reduction in the left ventricular dilatation according to echocardiography and satisfactory postoperative course in patients of both groups. Patients with valve-sparing aortic prosthetics had better results than those who underwent valve replacement surgery. Hospital mortality decreased from 17.2% to 5.3%.
 Analysis of long-term results showed that supracoronary aortic prosthetics with aortic valve plasty and elimination of the intimal tear zone make it possible to carry out effective aortic reconstruction. Due to events in the long run, regular lifelong monitoring is required.
 The analysis also showed that individualized approach to the choice of surgical tactics for the correction of aortic insufficiency in patients with aortic root and ascending aortic pathology allows to achieve comparable results in the immediate and long-term follow-up. Despite the complexity of the applied correction methods, the developed methods of surgical treatment of ascending aortic aneurysm (AAA) and aortic arch aneurysm and methods of protection of brain and visceral organs allowed to keep hospital mortality and the number of complications at the same level corresponding to one of the best world results. This gives hope for a good result in the long-term follow-up.
 Conclusions. Aneurysm of ascending aorta and aortic arch is a formidable life-threatening disease, and its only non-alternative treatment option is surgery. The optimized approach to the treatment of patients in the main group allowed to obtain better immediate and long-term results of surgical treatment and reduce postoperative complications from 34.4% to 8.4% and hospital mortality from 17.2% to 5.3%. Comparative analysis of long-term results in the studied groups showed more encouraging indicators of quality of life and life expectancy in patients when using modified surgical techniques, protection of the brain and visceral organs. We hope to get a final assessment of these data in the further study of the condition of these patients in the long-term follow-up.

A Rare Case of an Ascending Aorta and Aortic Arch Aneurysm with an Aberrant Right Common Carotid Artery

Ascending aortic aneurysms are asymptomatic and are usually discovered as an incidental finding on chest imaging. However, larger aneurysms can present with symptoms resulting from compression of surrounding structures including the trachea, bronchi, and the esophagus which can result in hoarseness, cough chest pain or back pain. The presence of an aortic arch anomaly, specifically an aberrant right common carotid artery, in a background of an aortic arch aneurysm is extremely rare with a worldwide incidence of <1%. They are usually asymptomatic but can result to catastrophic life threatening events and pose significant challenges to surgical or endovascular treatment. This is a case of a 63-year old Filipino male who presented with a sudden onset of dull back pain radiating to the left anterior chest. Workup revealed an ascending and aortic arch aneurysm with an aberrant right common carotid artery arising directly from the transverse aorta. Surgical aortic arch debranching was done to repair the aberrant vessels prior to Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR) wherein a custom-made Thoracic Valiant graft was deployed on the aneurysm. The patient was discharged on the 4th day after TEVAR without any complaints of dyspnea, back pain nor chest pain with no neurologic and visceral organ dysfunction. This case has emphasized that knowledge on the anatomy of the aortic arch is imperative in planning out thoracic surgery and endovascular interventions especially on rare anatomic anomalies such as seen in this case. Keywords aortic aneurysm, aberrant right common carotid artery, TEVAR

A Huge Aneurism of Ascending Thoracic Aorta

Giant Ascending Aorta Aneurysm (AAA) is a rare condition, because of early diagnosis incidence appears to be increasing as a result of routine screening, increased clinical awareness, and improved imaging modalities. The etiology of aneurysms involving the aortic root and ascending aorta can be genetically triggered, degenerative or atherosclerotic, inflammatory, or can result from infectious diseases. According to many studies for ascending aortic aneurysms larger than 6 cm the risk of rupture, dissection, or deaths was 15.6, making it a large life-threatening aneurysm.
 We present the case of a Giant AAA of about 8,7 cm diameter in a 68 years old man who was successfully operated on for ascending aorta and aortic root replacement under modified Bentall technique using composite mechanical conduit with coronary reimplantation.
 Conclusion; Ascending giant aortic aneurysm is a rare finding, varying from asymptomatic clinical presentation. Surgical treatment remains the standard treatment with very good results. The selection of the operating technique is very individual, depending on the case and the experience of the surgeon.

Combined Replacement of Aortic Valve and Ascending Aorta-A 70-Year Evolution of Surgical Techniques.

Simultaneous replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic valve has always been a challenging procedure. Introduction of composite conduits, through various ingenious procedures and their modifications, has changed the outlook of patients with aortic valve disease and ascending aorta pathology. In the past 70 years, progress of surgical techniques and prosthetic materials has allowed such patients to undergo radical procedures providing excellent early and long-term results in both young and elderly patients. This article aims to review the most important technical advances in the treatment of aortic valve disease and ascending aorta aneurysms recognizing the important contributions in this field.

A Case Report of Giant Ascending Aortic Aneurysm: Role of Multimodality Imaging.

Giant ascending aortic aneurysm (AscAA >10 cm) is an uncommon entity with a variable presentation. The size of the aneurysm, rapid expansion, and calcification are associated with an increased risk of rupture. Atherosclerosis is the most common etiology of aortic aneurysm in the elderly population. Multimodality imaging can be wisely used for diagnosis, risk stratification, and follow-up. We herein report a case of successfully repaired giant calcified AscAA with a maximum diameter of 10 cm. We also provide a brief discussion on the role of multimodality imaging.

The Role of Bicuspid Aortic Valve in Aortic Aneurysm Occurrence and Development

The paper presents the data on the diagnosis of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) disease in the patients operated for ascending aortic (AA) aneurysm. A brief historical review of the study of the BAV problem is presented; the data on the BAV incidence in the development of ascending aortic aneurysm and its dissection, the results of surgical treatment of BAV disease in patients with AA aneurysm are displayed.
 The objective of the research was to study the role of the bicuspid aortic valve in the occurrence (dissection) of ascending aortic aneurysms.
 Materials and methods 
 The retrospective analysis of the patients operated at the institute during the period of 1.01.2013 to 1.01.2019 for ascending aortic aneurysm or aneurysms of both ascending aorta and aortic arch confirmed that aneurysm occurrence (dissection) was caused by the presence of bicuspid valve. During this time, 1120 patients were operated on for ascending aortic aneurysm or aneurysms of both ascending aorta and aortic arch. 340 (30.4%) patients with diagnosed and confirmed BAV disease were included in the analysis.
 BAV diagnosis was based on echocardiography with obligatory intraoperative confirmation and on the basis of histological examination.
 Histological examination of the fragments of the aortic wall and aortic valve taken during operations was performed in 68 (20.0%) patients.
 Results and discussion
 BAV is the most common of all cardiac failures with a prevalence of up to 2% in the population constituting up to 30-50% of cases among the patients with aortal disorders. Two-dimensional echocardiography gives better results and provides an opportunity to detect BAV in 95% of cases, which was confirmed by our studies. According to our research, cases with BAV included 30.4% of all possible aneurysm causes, and BAV as a cause of dissection was noted in 46 (13.5%) of all dissecting aneurysms. Regarding the results of the surgical treatment, 2 patients out of 340 operated at the hospital stage died constituting 0.6%.
 Conclusions
 
 Among all ascending aortic aneurysms or aneurysms of both ascending aorta and aortic arch, BAV was determined as their cause in 30.4% of cases.
 Dissection (rupture) of the aortic aneurysm occurred in 13.5% of patients with aneurysm and bicuspid valve and thus required an urgent surgery.
 
 Patients with BAV require lifelong care.

Accuracy of the “Thumb-Palm Test” for Detection of Ascending Aortic Aneurysm

We have noticed, in caring for thousands of patients with ascending aortic aneurysm (AscAA), that the "thumb palm test" is often positive (with the thumb crossing beyond the edge of the palm). It is not known how accurate this test may be. We conducted the thumb-palm test in 305 patients undergoing cardiac surgery with intra-operative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for a variety of disorders: ascending aneurysm in 59 (19.4%) and non-AscAA disease in 246 (80.6%) (including CABG, valve repair, and descending aortic aneurysm). The TEE provided a precise ascending aortic diameter. The thumb palm test gave us a discrete, binary positive or negative result. We calculated the accuracy (sensitivity and specificity) of the thumb palm test in determining presence or absence of AscAA (defined as ascending aortic diameter > 3.8cm). Maximal ascending aortic diameters ranged from 2.0 to 6.6 cm (mean 3.48). 93 patients (30.6%) were classified as having an AscAA and 212 (69.4%) as not having an AscAA. 10 patients (3.3%) had a positive thumb-palm test and 295 patients (96.7%) did not. Sensitivity of the test (proportion of diseased patients correctly classified) was low (7.5%), but specificity (proportion of non-diseased patients correctly classified) was very high (98.5%). This study supports the utility of the thumb-palm test in evaluation for ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm. That is to say, a positive test implies a substantial likelihood of harboring an ascending aortic aneurysm. A negative test does not exclude an aneurysm. In other words, the majority of aneurysm patients do not manifest a positive thumb-palm sign, but patients who do have a positive sign have a very high likelihood of harboring an ascending aneurysm. We suggest that the thumb-palm test be part of the standard physical examination, especially in patients with suspicion of ascending aortic aneurysm (e.g. those with a positive family history).

WALL STRESS IN ASCENDING AORTA ANEURYSMS AS A PREDICTIVE FACTOR OF BREAKAGE

Abstract INTRODUCTION The surgical indication for ascending aortic aneurysms (AAA) is established when the maximum diameter > 50 mm; It responds to Laplace's Law (T wall = P × r / 2e). The aim of the study is to define wall stress in AAA. MATERIAL AND METHODS 218 ascending aortic walls have been studied: 96 from organ donors, and 122 from AAA: Marfán 58 (47.5%), bicuspid aortic valve 26 (21.4%), and atherosclerosis 38 (31.1%). The samples were studied "in vitro", according to the model Young's (relationship between stress and deformed area), by means of the mechanical traction test (Tension = Force / Area). The analysis was performed with the stress-elongation curve (d Tension / d Elongation). RESULTS The stress of the aortic wall, classified from highest to lowest according to pathology and age was: cystic necrosis of the middle layer, arteriosclerosis, age > 60 years, between 35 and 59, and < 34 years. The stress of “control aortas” wall increased directly in relation to the age of the donors. CONCLUSIONS The maximum diameter of the ascending aorta, the patient's type of pathology and age are factors that affect the maximum tension of the aortic wall and resistance, factors that allow differentiation and prediction of the risk of rupture of the AAA. The validation of the results obtained through numerical simulation was significant and the uniaxial analysis has modeled the response of the vessels to their internal pressure.

RELATIONS OF THE AORTIC STIFFNESS AND CENTRAL BLOOD PRESSURE WITH FEATURES OF THE LEFT VENTRICLE IN ASCENDING AORTIC ANEURYSM

Objective: To reveal relations of the arterial stiffness, central blood pressure (BP) with left ventricular (LV) structure and function in patients with ascending aortic aneurysms (AAA). Design and method: We examined 44 patients with AAA (30 (68%) males; 55 ± 13 years old) before AAA surgical repair. Office brachial BP (BBP) was measured by OMRON (Japan). Arterial stiffness was evaluated by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV). Central BP (CBP) and PWV were measured with the SphygmoCor (Australia). Ambulatory BP monitoring was performed with the BPLab (Russia) with 24-hour measuring of BBP and CBP. A transthoracic echocardiographic examination was performed with a Vivid 7 GE (USA). Results: Hypertension was observed in 40 (91%) patients. LV hypertrophy (LVH) was found in 41 (94%) patients (mean LV mass index (LVMI) 163 ± 48 g/m2). Diastolic dysfunction presented in 39 (89%) patients. PWV was inversely related to the AAA diameter (r = - 0.389, P = 0.03): PWV decreased with an increase of the aortic diameter at the level of the aortic root. A decrease of PWV correlated with a decline of relative wall thickness (RWT) (r = 0.365, P = 0.040), but eccentric LVH occurred only in 17 (38%) patients with AAA. PWV correlated directly with LV ejection fraction (r = 0.464, P = 0.048), but PWV was inversely related to LV end-diastolic size (LVED) (r = -0.533, P = 0.003). Rigid type diastolic disturbances (E/A ratio>2) were negatively correlated with PWV (r = -0.652, P = 0.041). Office pulse BBP and CBP correlated with the LVMI (r = 0.428, P = 0.019 and r = 0.508, P = 0.002, respectively). 24-hour pulse BBP and CBP were correlated with LVMI (r = 0.660, P = 0.018 and r = 0.721, P = 0.008, respectively). The increase of LVED had a closer association with office pulse CBP (r = 0.459, P = 0.007) than with office pulse BBP (r = 0.410, P = 0.017). Conclusions: Eccentric LV hypertrophy was accompanied by a significant reduction of PWV in patients with AAA. The severity of the diastolic dysfunction increased with a decline of PWV. PWV is probably not suitable for accurate assessment of the arterial stiffness in AAA due to the apparent confounding effect of aortic diameter. In AAA central pulse BP had a closer association with LVMI and LVED than brachial pulse BP.

Therapeutic approach comparison in bicuspid aortic valve aortopathy and clinical practice implications.

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common heart valve malformation, and it may be associated with the development of long-term complications, such as aortic stenosis (AS) secondary to valvular calcification and aortic insufficiency (AI), with or without ascending aortic aneurysm (AAA). This study was performed at the Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Timişoara, Romania, from 2015 through 2018 and included a total of 105 patients with BAV. Out of the 105 BAV patients, 14 displayed AAA, alongside either AS or AI, and were selected undergo aortic valve replacement (AVR) alongside surgical replacement or aortoplasty of the ascending aorta, and the elastic fiber loss in the ascending aortic wall was evaluated for each patient. Two surgical interventions used alongside AVR in BAV patients with AAA and AS or AI were compared in this study: reduction ascending aortoplasty (RAA) and ascending aorta replacement (AAR). Postoperative follow-ups have shown RAA is useful short-term but that, in contrast to AAR, it leads to aortic redilatation over time. These results can contribute to a major future meta-analysis with the goal of improving the current clinical practice guidelines for BAV aortopathy.

Giant Ascending Aortic Aneurysm and Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation in the Left Upper Lung Lobe

The Video can be viewed in the online version of this article [10.1016/j.athoracsur.2021.01.073] on http://www.annalsthoracicsurgery.org.