Flap Fenestration Research Articles

Dissection flap fenestration can reduce re-apposition force of the false lumen in type-B aortic dissection: a computational and bench study.

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has been widely adopted as a standard for treating complicated acute and high-risk uncomplicated Stanford Type-B aortic dissections. The treatment redirects the blood flow towards the true lumen by covering the proximal dissection tear which promotes sealing of the false lumen. Despite advances in TEVAR, over 30% of Type-B dissection patients require additional interventions. This is primarily due to the presence of a persistent patent false lumen post-TEVAR that could potentially enlarge over time. We propose a novel technique, called slit fenestration pattern creation, which reduces the forces for re-apposition of the dissection flap (i.e., increase the compliance of the flap). We compute the optimal slit fenestration design using a virtual design of experiment (DOE) and demonstrate its effectiveness in reducing the re-apposition forces through computational simulations and benchtop experiments using porcine aortas. The findings suggest this potential therapy can drastically reduce the radial loading required to re-appose a dissected flap against the aortic wall to ensure reconstitution of the aortic wall (remodeling).

Physician Endograft Modification and Electrocautery Wire Technique for Aortic Dissection Flap Fenestration

Physician Endograft Modification and Electrocautery Wire Technique for Aortic Dissection Flap Fenestration

Endovascular Recanalization of Aortic Isthmus Atresia with an "Electrified Wire Technique".

For aortic coarctation in adults endovascular repair is the treatment of choice with an acceptable safety profile. Aortic isthmus atresia is a related condition with a complete occlusion of the aorta not allowing catheterization across the isthmus. This technical note describes a recanalization of an aortic isthmus atresia using radiofrequency with an "electrified wire technique." A guidewire was selectively denuded of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) at the distal end and was placed through a catheter distal to the aortic isthmus atresia. The denuded end of the wire was clamped to an electrosurgery pencil. By pushing the wire toward a tulip-snare, which was placed as a target proximal of the occlusion via left trans-brachial access, and shortly activating of the electrosurgery pencil the electrified wire recanalized the occlusion and was snared and used to guide implantation of a balloon-expandable covered stent. The electrified wire puncture technique can be used to recanalize adult aortic isthmus atresia after failed conventional attempts. The electrified wire technique offers an off-the shelf option to modify standard guidewires for the use with radiofrequency to cross a complete aortic isthmus occlusion after failed conventional attempts. This new technique may be applied also in other situations like dissection flap fenestration, transcaval access and similar.

Intraoperative Indocyanine Green Angiography Facilitates Flap Fenestration and Facial Organ Fabrication in Total Facial Restoration.

Because of a lack of effective measures to visualize flap vasculature and perfusion, flap fenestration and facial organ fabrication cannot be performed effectively, preventing the transition from two-dimensional coverage to restoration of the three-dimensional (3D) structure of facial organs. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) in guiding flap fenestration and facial organ fabrication in total facial restoration. Ten patients with total facial scarring after burn injury were enrolled in the study. They were treated with preexpanded, prefabricated monoblock flaps for total face restoration. The openings of nostrils and oral and palpebral orifices, together with organ fabrication, were conducted under the guidance of intraoperative ICGA by hemodynamic evaluation of flap perfusion. Postoperative follow-up measures include vascular crisis, infection, flap necrosis, and aesthetic and functional recovery. The opening of facial organ orifices was performed at the stage of flap transfer in nine patients. To avoid damaging the major nourishing vessels, the left palpebral orifice was opened 8 days after the flap transfer in one patient, as observed by ICGA. Based on ICGA evaluation, the decision to perform additional vascular anastomosis before flap fenestration was made in six patients. Hemodynamic analysis of flap perfusion after fenestration revealed no significant change. Follow-up showed satisfactory aesthetic recovery and well-restored 3D structures of facial organs. This pilot study demonstrates how intraoperative ICGA can enhance the safety of flap fenestration, thereby transforming full facial restoration from the two-dimensional to the 3D realm by facilitating facial organ fabrication. Therapeutic, IV.

Color-coded summation images for the evaluation of blood flow in endovascular aortic dissection fenestration

BackgroundTo analyze the benefit of color-coded summation images in the assessment of target lumen perfusion in patients with aortic dissection and malperfusion syndrome before and after fluoroscopy-guided aortic fenestration.MethodsBetween December 2011 and April 2020 25 patients with Stanford type A (n = 13) or type B dissection (n = 12) and malperfusion syndromes were treated with fluoroscopy-guided fenestration of the dissection flap using a re-entry catheter. The procedure was technically successful in 100% of the cases and included additional iliofemoral stent implantation in four patients. Intraprocedural systolic blood pressure measurements for gradient evaluation were performed in 19 cases. Post-processed color-coded DSA images were obtained from all DSA series before and following fenestration. Differences in time to peak (dTTP) values in the compromised aortic lumen and transluminal systolic blood pressure gradients were analyzed retrospectively. Correlation analysis between dTTP and changes in blood pressure gradients was performed.ResultsMean TTP prior to dissection flap fenestration was 6.85 ± 1.35 s. After fenestration, mean TTP decreased significantly to 4.96 ± 0.94 s (p < 0.001). Available systolic blood pressure gradients between the true and the false lumen were reduced by a median of 4.0 mmHg following fenestration (p = 0.031), with significant reductions in Stanford type B dissections (p = 0.013) and minor reductions in type A dissections (p = 0.530). A moderate correlation with no statistical significance was found between dTTP and the difference in systolic blood pressure (r = 0.226; p = 0.351).ConclusionsHemodynamic parameters obtained from color-coded DSA confirmed a significant reduction of TTP values in the aortic target lumen in terms of an improved perfusion in the compromised aortic region. Color-coded DSA might thus be a suitable complementary tool in the assessment of complex vascular patterns prevailing in aortic dissections, especially when blood pressure measurements are not conclusive or feasible.

Endovascular Management of Malperfusion Syndromes in Aortic Dissection

Malperfusion Syndrome (MPS) refers to inadequate perfusion of end organs secondary to ongoing arterial obstruction of the aorta and its branches resulting in increased morbidity and mortality.While uncomplicated type B dissection can typically be monitored, type A or type B dissections with malperfusion syndrome are should be considered for hybrid treatment with an endovascular intervention. In addition to pre-procedure CTA and labs, intra-procedure evaluation of the true lumen, false lumen, and branch vessels is performed with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and manometry to delineate static versus dynamic obstruction. Dynamic obstruction of the visceral arteries is typically treated first and can be relieved either with supraceliac dissection flap fenestration or exclusion of the entry tear by thoracic endovascular aortic repair, both of which will restore flow to the true lumen.Static obstruction requires stenting or other branch-artery intervention including branch artery fenestration, suction embolectomy, or thrombolysis. Throughout the procedure, IVUS and manometry are used to evaluate results of interventions with respect to continued hemodynamically significant obstruction. Endovascular intervention should be performed in conjunction with a multi-disciplinary team as patients are often complex and may require further procedures such as bowel resection or open aortic repair.

Dissection Flap Fenestration with a Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Needle: An Adjuvant Technique in Endovascular Treatment of Post-Dissection Thoraco-Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

IntroductionIn chronic aortic dissection complicated by aneurysmal degeneration, the absence of spontaneous tears between the true and false lumen at visceral artery level may limit treatment by fenestrated/branched endovascular aneurysm repair (F/BEVAR). The creation of new fenestrations may be required to allow access to the visceral vessels.TechniqueIn this video, the endovascular treatment of a 70 year old white man with chronic type B aortic dissection complicated by Crawford type II thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysmal degeneration is presented. The right renal artery had a false lumen origin without nearby visible re-entry tears. He underwent dissection flap fenestration at visceral vessel level using a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) needle and subsequent dilation with a high pressure balloon. A Zenith TX2 dissection endovascular graft was deployed proximally and extended distally with a Zenith dissection endovascular stent until the fenestration level was reached. In a second stage, a F/BEVAR was performed, with fenestration to the left renal artery and branches to right renal artery, superior mesenteric artery, and coeliac trunk. One year follow up computed tomography angiography showed visceral branch patency and a reduction of the aneurysm sac.DiscussionThe chronic dissection flap may be thick and fibrotic, creating a technical challenge for endovascular fenestration. The off label use of a TIPS needle in this procedure created a new fenestration at the desired level and allowed definitive post-dissection treatment of the thoraco-abdominal aneurysm.

Dissection Flap Fenestration with TIPS Needle, an Adjuvant Technique in Endovascular Treatment of Thoraco-Abdominal Aortic Dissecting Aneurysm

Dissection Flap Fenestration with TIPS Needle, an Adjuvant Technique in Endovascular Treatment of Thoraco-Abdominal Aortic Dissecting Aneurysm

Intermediate fenestrations reduce flow reversal in a silicone model of Stanford Type B aortic dissection

Pulsatile, three-dimensional hemodynamic forces influence thrombosis, and may dictate progression of aortic dissection. Intimal flap fenestration and blood pressure are clinically relevant variables in this pathology, yet their effects on dissection hemodynamics are poorly understood. The goal of this study was to characterize these effects on flow in dissection models to better guide interventions to prevent aneurysm formation and false lumen flow. Silicone models of aortic dissection with mobile intimal flap were fabricated based on patient images and installed in a flow loop with pulsatile flow. Flow fields were acquired via 4-dimensional flow MRI, allowing for quantification and visualization of relevant fluid mechanics. Pulsatile vortices and jet-like structures were observed at fenestrations immediately past the proximal entry tear. False lumen flow reversal was significantly reduced with the addition of fenestrations, from 19.2 ± 3.3% in two-tear dissections to 4.67 ± 1.5% and 4.87 ± 1.7% with each subsequent fenestration. In contrast, increasing pressure did not cause appreciable differences in flow rates, flow reversal, and vortex formation. Increasing the number of intermediate tears decreased flow reversal as compared to two-tear dissection, which may prevent false lumen thrombosis, promoting persistent false lumen flow. Vortices were noted to result from transluminal fluid motion at distal tear sites, which may lead to degeneration of the opposing wall. Increasing pressure did not affect measured flow patterns, but may contribute to stress concentrations in the aortic wall. The functional and anatomic assessment of disease with 4D MRI may aid in stratifying patient risk in this population.

Detection and Hemodynamic Evaluation of Flap Fenestrations in Type B Aortic Dissection with 4D Flow MRI: Comparison with Conventional MRI and CTA.

The purpose of this study was to compare dissection flap fenestration visualization between 4D flow MRI, clinical MRI/MRA, and clinical CTA studies and describe the presence of hemodynamically active fenestration flow using 4D flow. Nineteen patients with type B dissection (age: 57±5 years) who had undergone standard of-care MRI/MRA of the chest including 4D flow MRI were retrospectively identified. Fourteen of the 19 patients also had CTA performed within 2 years of the MRI/MRA study with no interval surgery. Image review was performed independently by two radiologists. The number of fenestrations (including entry and exit tears), location, and flow directionality were recorded. Differences in the rate of detection between techniques was assessed using a Wilcoxon signed rank test. 4D flow detected more fenestrations relative to MRI/MRA [rev 1: +3 (10%), rev 2: +5 (20%)]. There were similar numbers of fenestrations detected by 4D flow relative to CTA [rev 1: +1 (4%), rev 2: -3 (-12%)]. MRI/MRA detected fewer fenestration relative to CTA in this cohort [rev 1: -6 (-24%), rev 2: -5 (-19%)]. No differences were significant. Combining 4D flow and MRI/MRA resulted in additional fenestration detection. Most fenestrations demonstrated biphasic flow over the cardiac cycle (flow entering false lumen in systole and exiting during diastole, rev 1:18/33, rev 2: 16/30). 4D flow MRI can detect small flap fenestration in type B dissection patients while providing additional information about flow through fenestrations throughout the cardiac cycle relative to CTA and conventional MRI.

Complex endovascular repair of postdissection arch and thoracoabdominal aneurysms

ObjectiveWe report our experience of the treatment of postdissection arch aneurysms and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) by endovascular repair using fenestrated and branched endografts. MethodsThis study includes all patients presenting with chronic postdissection aneurysms >55 mm in diameter deemed unfit for open surgery and treated by complex endografting between October 2011 and April 2017. Where appropriate, staged management strategies including left subclavian artery revascularization, thoracic endografting, dissection flap fenestration, and tear enlargement were performed before the complex endovascular repair. Outcome data were collected prospectively, specifically including technical success, endoleaks, target vessel patency, aneurysm diameter, adverse events, reinterventions, and mortality. ResultsWe treated 40 patients with a median age of 63 years (55-71 years). In total, 43 procedures were performed: 19 arch repairs using inner branch endografts (one to three branches) and 24 TAAA repairs using fenestrated or branched endografts. Three patients were treated using both arch and TAAA repair. The median time between initial presentation with acute dissection and the first complex aortic repair was 5 years (3.0-10.0 years). Staged procedures were performed in 33 of 40 patients (82.5%). The technical success rate was 93%, the median procedure length was 240 minutes (170-285 minutes), and the median dose-area product was 80 Gy · cm2 (54.3-138.4 Gy · cm2). The 30-day and in-hospital mortality rates were 2.3% (1/43) and 4.7% (2/43), respectively. The spinal cord ischemia rate was 7% and occurred only after TAAA repair. One stroke with partial recovery and one transient ischemic attack were observed (4.7%) after arch repair. Six early reinterventions (14%) were performed: three for access complications, two to treat acute hemorrhage, and one to treat a type II endoleak. Median follow-up was 25.5 months (11-42.25 months). The 1- and 5-year survival rates were 90% and 76.4%, respectively. Late reinterventions were required in eight patients, two in the arch group (to treat endoleaks at 3 and 33 months) and six in the TAAA group (2 iliac and 1 bifurcated endograft extensions, 2 additional renal stents, 1 inferior mesenteric artery embolization). Aneurysm diameter was stable (72%) or shrank (23%) during follow-up. Enlargement was shown in two patients with endoleaks. ConclusionsComplex endovascular repair of postdissection aneurysms is a safe procedure in patients deemed unfit for open surgery. Our experience suggests that close follow-up is mandatory as secondary procedures are frequently required to completely exclude the false lumen.

Evolution of surgical therapy for Stanford acute type A aortic dissection.

Acute type A aortic dissection (AcA-AoD) is a surgical emergency associated with very high morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, the early outcome of emergency surgical repair has not improved substantially over the last 20 years. Many of the same debates occur repeatedly regarding operative extent and optimal conduct of the operation. The question remains: are patients suffering from too large an operation or too small? The pendulum favoring routine aortic valve resuspension, when feasible, has swung towards frequent aortic root replacement. This already aggressive approach is now being challenged with the even more extensive valve-sparing aortic root replacement (V-SARR) in selected patients. Distally, open replacement of most of the transverse arch is best in most patients. The need for late aortic re-intervention has not been shown to be affected by more extensive distal operative procedures, but the contemporary enthusiasm for a distal frozen elephant trunk (FET) only seems to build. It must be remembered that the first and foremost goal of the operation is to have an operative survivor; additional measures to reduce late morbidity are secondary aspirations. With increasing experience, true contraindications to emergency surgical operation have dwindled, but patients with advanced age, multiple comorbidities, and major neurological deficits do not fare well. The endovascular revolution, moreover, has spawned innovative options for modern practice, including ascending stent graft and adaptations of the old flap fenestration technique. Despite the increasingly complex operations and ever expanding therapies, this life-threatening disease remains a stubborn challenge for all cardiovascular surgeons. Development of specialized thoracic aortic teams and regionalization of care for patients with AcA-AoD offers the most promise to improve overall results.

Early Experience of Endovascular Repair of Post-dissection Aneurysms Involving the Thoraco-abdominal Aorta and the Arch

Outcomes are reported in management of post-dissection aneurysms involving the aortic arch and/or thoraco-abdominal segment (TAAA) treated with fenestrated and branched (complex) endografts. This report includes all patients with chronic post-dissection aneurysms >55 mm in diameter, deemed unfit for open surgery, treated using complex endografts between October 2011 and March 2015. When appropriate, staged management strategies including left subclavian artery revascularization, thoracic endografting, dissection flap fenestration or tear enlargement, and other endovascular procedures were performed at least 3 weeks prior to definitive complex endovascular repair. The following outcome data were collected prospectively at discharge, 12 months and annually thereafter: technical success, endoleaks, target vessel patency, false lumen patency, aneurysm diameter, major and minor complications, re-interventions, and mortality. The cohort comprised 23 patients with a median age of 65 years. Staged procedures were performed in 14 patients (61%). Seven patients with dissections involving the arch were treated with inner branched endografts, and 16 TAAA patients were treated with fenestrated or branched endografts. The technical success rate was 71% following arch repair and 100% following TAAA repair. During early follow up, one of the arch group patients died and one in the TAAA group suffered spinal cord ischemia. The median follow up was 12 months (range 3-48), during which time one patient died of causes unrelated to aneurysm or treatment. Two early re-interventions were performed in the arch group to correct access vessel complications and there were a further two late re-interventions in the TAAA group to treat endoleaks. All target vessels (n = 72) remained patent. This experience indicates that complex endovascular repair of post-dissection aneurysms is a viable alternative to open repair in patients deemed unfit for open surgery. There are insufficient data to allow comparison with the outcome of open surgery in anatomically similar, but fit, patients.

Fenestration of bone flap during interval autologous cranioplasty.

Background:Symptomatic extra-axial fluid may complicate cranioplasty and require urgent evacuation. Fenestration (F) of the bone flap may encourage extra-axial fluid absorption; however, literature has not explored this technique.Methods:Thirty-two consecutive patients who underwent interval autologous cranioplasty were divided into two groups: Fenestration, n = 24, and no fenestration (NF), n = 8. Fenestration involves placement of twist-drill holes 1–2 cm apart throughout the bone flap. Clinical data (age, sex, underlying pathology for cranioplasty, history of antiplatelet/anticoagulation [A/A], presence of drains, and length of Intensive Care Unit [ICU] stay) were collected. Postoperative volume and midline shift (MLS) were measured. Univariate analysis was performed for continuous variables; Fisher's exact test was performed for categorical variables.Results:For postoperative volume, NF group exhibited 33.745 ± 48.701 cm3; F group exhibited 20.832 ± 26.103 cm3 (P = 0.351). For MLS, NF group exhibited 3.055 ± 0.472 mm; F group exhibited 0.75 ± 0.677 mm (P = 0.009). MLS for the NF group subset with drains was 1.235 ± 0.566 mm, (P = 0.587 when compared to F group). For ICU length of stay, NF group exhibited 1.958 ± 1.732 days; F group exhibited 2.290 ± 0.835 days (P = 0.720). In NF group, for patients with no A/A, no drain exhibited MLS 4.00 ± 0.677 mm while a drain exhibited 1.845 ± 0.605 mm (P = 0.025); with A/A, no drain exhibited 5.75 ± 1.353 mm while a drain exhibited 0.625 ± 0.957 (P = 0.005). Four NF patients required reoperation compared to zero F patients (P = 0.550).Conclusion:Presumably, fenestrations augment surface area for extra-axial fluid absorption through the bone flap. Our results, regarding MLS and postoperative volume, provide support for this concept. Accordingly, bone flap fenestration has the potential to reduce extra-axial fluid accumulation.

Abstract 19354: Management and Outcomes of Acute Type B Dissection in IRAD Treated with Open Surgery, Endovascular Flap Fenestration or TEVAR

Background: The debate for the optimal treatment of complicated Type B Acute Aortic Dissection (TBAAD) is primarily focused upon open surgical intervention versus thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). The technique of fenestration with stenting has been proposed to resolve malperfusion. This study evaluated post-procedural outcomes of all three approaches for TBAAD. Methods: TBAAD patients enrolled in the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection were stratified by management type: TEVAR, fenestration and stenting, and surgery. Results: Of the 552 patients with TBAAD, 231 (41.8%) underwent TEVAR, 214 (38.8%) standard open surgery, and 107 (19.4%) fenestration and stenting. TEVAR or fenestration and stenting were more likely to be performed in classic double barrel aortic dissection when compared to open surgery (73.2%, 76.6%, 52.8% respectively; p&lt;0.001). Patients treated with open repair were less likely to have distal extension into the abdominal aorta than those with TEVAR or fenestration and stenting (47.7%, 62.7%, 86.4%, respectively; p&lt;0.001). In-hospital mortality was similar between groups (11.7% TEVAR, 14.0% fenestration and stenting, 15.9% surgery). At five years, Kaplan-Meier post-discharge all-cause survival estimates were highest for TEVAR, followed by endovascular fenestration and finally open surgical intervention (85.2%, 78.3%, 67.2%, respectively; p=0.039). Conclusion: Patients treated by endovascular approaches, whether with flap fenestration or thoracic endovascular aortic repair, had lower five year mortality when compared to patients who required open repair in the setting of TBAAD. Either endovascular approach may be helpful in the treatment of TBAAD. Further research is needed to determine how much of the observed difference represents patient selection versus differential effects of treatment.

Patient height as a risk factor for poor outcome in acute type B aortic dissection.

Height has been shown in epidemiological studies to have mixed associations with long-term mortality. Shorter stature is related to higher all-cause and coronary disease mortality, and taller stature is related to higher cancer and aortic aneurysm mortality. We evaluated height as a predictor of acute aortic dissection complexity and long-term mortality in a cohort of patients with acute type B aortic dissection. Between February 2001 and January 2014 we treated 461 acute type B aortic dissections. Median age was 60 years (range 16 to 98). 175/461 (38%) were female, and 286 (62%) were male. Patients with uncomplicated dissection were managed medically, with blood pressure control and anti-impulse therapy as the main objectives. Patients with symptomatic malperfusion were managed by a variety of techniques, including open aortic surgical repair or stent grafting, branch vessel bypasses and flap fenestration as appropriate. Patients were followed with imaging and management of new symptoms. The upper quartile of height in our population (>180 cm) was considered tall for the analysis. Malperfusion or persistent symptoms were present in 154/461 (33.4%) patients at some time during the acute presentation. Presence of malperfusion-related complications was monotonically related to height, with complication rates of 23% in patients with height less than 165 cm, 31% in those with height between 166 and 173 cm, 39% at height between 173 and 180 cm, and 40% above 180 cm of height (P<0.02). Occurrence of complicated dissection was estimated to be nearly 50% at a height of 190 cm by logistic regression analysis. Independent predictors of long-term mortality were complication (Hazard Ratio-HR 1.67, P<0.006), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) below 60 (HR 2.33, P<0.0001), and height >180 cm (HR 1.60, P<0.02). Five year survival estimates (adjusted for GFR and presence of complications) were 81% in the group with 180 cm or less in height and 63% in the group with height above 180 cm. Optimal management of acute type B aortic dissection is controversial. Identifying correlates of complicated acute dissection, such as height, could help to clarify the setting in which intervention is most appropriate. Height above 180 cm is an independent risk factor for long-term mortality, and should be considered in planning the management of acute type B aortic dissection.

Percutaneous Aortic Dissection Flap Fenestration for the Treatment of Functional Severe Claudication

Percutaneous Aortic Dissection Flap Fenestration for the Treatment of Functional Severe Claudication

Flap fenestration in treatment of mis-deployment of stent-graft in false lumen of aortic dissection

Objective To evaluate feasibility of flap fenestration in management of the condition that a stentgraft is wrongly deployed in false lumen of aortic dissection. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on a case of Stanford type B aortic dissection who was confirmed that the stentgraft had been wrongly deployed in false lumen of aortic dissection by CT angiography （CTA） after endovascu lar repair. Thereafter, an additional surgical management was carried out. At length, flap fenestration at 2 cm below predeployed stentgraft was performed using an Outback catheter so as to link false and true lumens. Successively, another stentgraft was placed via the access to draw blood flow from false lumen back to true lumen and then coil embolization was performed for distal breach of the dissection. Results Surgery was carried out under local anesthesia, with operation duration of 170 minutes and intraoperative blood loss of 350 ml. The chest and back pain disappeared after operation. The patient commenced to take food and take offbed activity at the very day of operation in absence of paraplegia, visceral ischemia, or other complications. Aortic CTA at postoperative one week showed ideal positioning of stentgraft, flu ent blood flow of aorta and major visceral artery, and vanishing of false lumen. Conclusions Flap fen estration at farend of predeployed stentgraft so as to draw blood flow back to true lumen by connecting the new placed stent graft to predeployed stentgraft is an effective treatment for misdeployment of stent graft in false lumen of aortic dissection. Outback catheter for flap fenestration is characterized by accurate location and high safety. Key words: Peritoneum; Aneurysm, dissecting; Stents

TEVAR in Acute Complicated Type B Dissection-Ammunition for Complex Aortic Pathology

Open surgery for acute, complicated type B dissection is associated with an operative mortality in excess of 20% and considerable morbidity including spinal cord ischaemia. Furthermore a mortality of 17% has recently been reported after percutaneous flap fenestration for acute type B associated malperfusion. There has therefore been considerable contemporary interest in the role of TEVAR in both acute uncomplicated and complicated type B dissection. The precise definition of acute complicated type B dissection has been recently clarified and has been defined as symptom onset of 14 days or less, with rupture, defined as haemorrhage outside the aortic wall or malperfusion, defined as visceral, renal, lower extremity or spinal cord hypoperfusion. The mortality and morbidity results reported in this manuscript are excellent in comparison to historic open repair results and contemporary TEVAR results. The authors report a 30-day mortality rate of 4.4% and an overall survival of 95.6% at 1 and 3 years respectively. These are considerably better than the recently reported multicenter US data, with a 30-day mortality of 10.8% and 1-year survival of 70.6%. The 3-yr survival figures are also

The application of subintimal flap fenestration in iatrogenic carotid artery dissection – finding light through the darkness

Acute iatrogenic flow-limiting dissection, a feared complication, developed in the tortuous cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) of a 35-year-old man during endovascular treatment of a growing left middle cerebral artery fusiform aneurysm. While attempting true lumen penetration, the guidewire perforated the dissection flap, regaining the true lumen. We fenestrated the intimal flap with a balloon and navigated a microcatheter through it in order to perform the intracranial embolization procedure. After aneurysm embolization, several stents were implanted for ICA restoration.