Stented Elephant Trunk Implantation Research Articles

The incidence, risk factors and outcomes of impaired cerebral autoregulation in aortic arch surgery: a single-center, retrospective cohort study

BackgroundImpairment of cerebral autoregulation (CA) has been observed in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), but little is known about its risks and associations with outcomes. The cerebral oximetry index (COx), which is a moving linear correlation coefficient between regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rScO2) and mean blood pressure (MAP), may reflect CA function. When COx approaches 1, it implies that CA is damaged, whereas the CA is functional when the COx value approaches 0. The objective of this study was to analyze the incidence and risks of impaired CA, based on COx assessment, in patients undergoing total aortic arch replacement under systemic moderate hypothermia and circulatory arrest of the lower body (MHCA). We also evaluated the association between impaired CA and patient outcomes.MethodsOne hundred and fifty-four adult patients who underwent total aortic arch replacement with stented elephant trunk implantation under MHCA at our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were defined as having new-onset impaired CA if pre-CPB COx < 0.3 and post-CPB COx > 0.3. Pre- and intraoperative factors were tested for independent association with impaired CA. Postoperative outcomes were compared between patients with normal and impaired CA.ResultsIn our 154 patients, 46(29.9%) developed new-onset impaired CA after CPB. Multivariable analysis revealed a prolonged low rScO2 (rScO2 < 55%) independently associated with onset of impaired CA, and receiver operating charactoristic curve showed a cutoff value at 40 min (sensitivity, 89.5%; specificity, 68.0%). Compared with normal CA patients, those with impaired CA showed a significantly higher rates of in-hospital mortality and postoperative complications.ConclusionsProlonged low rScO2 (rScO2 < 55%) during aortic arch surgery was closely related to onset of impaired CA. Impaired CA remained associated with the increased rates of postoperative complications and in-hospital mortality.Trial registrationChiCTR1800014545 with registered date 20/01/2018.

Application of postmortem computed tomography angiography to settle a medical dispute after aortic dissection surgery: a forensic case report

BackgroundIn the present case, we applied postmortem computed tomography angiography (PMCTA) in a medical dispute involving sudden death after cardiovascular surgery.Case presentationA 39-year-old man underwent aortic arch replacement combined with stented elephant trunk implantation surgery under extracorporeal circulation. All vital signs were stable and he was arranged for discharge seven days after surgery. Several days later, the patient was sent back to the hospital for chest pain and poor appetite. Unfortunately, his condition worsened and he ultimately died. PMCT scanning detect pericardial effusion. Family members suspected that the surgical sutures were not dense enough, causing the patient’s postoperative bleeding and resulting in cardiac tamponade and death. PMCTA was performed before autopsy, which showed pericardial effusion. However, postmortem angiography with simulated blood pressure showed no leakage of contrast agent, which guided the subsequent autopsy and histological examinations.ConclusionsWhile many previous postmortem imaging case reports have shown positive results that provided evidence of medical malpractice, the current case excludes the possibility of physician negligence and reasonably settles the medical dispute from another perspective. In short, the PMCTA approach we describe here was an effective tool that can be applied to certain medical-related forensic cases.

Comparative effectiveness and safety of open triple-branched stent graft technique with stented elephant trunk implantation in treating Stanford type A aortic dissection: A trial sequential meta-analysis.

The optimal surgical intervention for Stanford type A aortic dissection is controversial. The aim of this trial sequential meta-analysis was to investigate the comparative effectiveness and safety of open triple-branched stent graft and stent elephant trunk implantation for total aortic arch reconstruction in Sandford type A aortic dissection. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, Chinese Biomedical Literature database (CBM), and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were searched for retrieving relevant studies from inception to February 28, 2022. We evaluated 30-day mortality, procedure-related time including cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), aortic cross-clamp (ACC), and selective cerebral perfusion (SCP),the incidence of postoperative complications including paralysis, cerebral embolism, and acute renal failure, intensive care unit (ICU) time, and medical expenditure. Statistical analysis was performed by RevMan 5.4 and trial sequential analysis (TSA) software. Six studies involving 260 dissection cases were included eventually. Total aortic arch reconstruction with open triple-branched stent graft was comparable to the stented elephant trunk implantation in 30-day mortality, incidence of postoperative complications, ICU time, and medical expenditure, but open triple-branched stent graft was related to shorter procedure-related time including CPB (mean difference [MD] = -46.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -67.24 to -24.98, p < .001), ACC (MD = -42.82, 95%CI = -66.74 to -18.90, p < .001), and SCP (MD = -17.88, 95%CI = -33.36 to -2.39, p = .02). TSA confirmed robustness of findings. Our analysis suggested that total aortic arch reconstruction with open triple-branched stent graft may be an effective and simplified procedure than the stented elephant trunk implantation.

An Analysis of Total Arch Re-Replacement After Proximal Aortic Surgery.

After proximal aortic surgery, total arch replacement (TAR) may again be needed because of recurrent dissection or aneurysm. This paper analyzed the relevant data of this technology with hopes of improving cognition and treatment. There were a total of 60 eligible cases of secondary TAR after proximal aortic surgery in our center from 2010 to 2020. The primary surgical procedures included aortic valve replacement (AVR), ascending aortic replacement, Bentall, hemi-arch replacement, and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). The data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS Statistics 23.0 for Windows™ and presented as the mean ± standard deviations and direct frequencies, as appropriate. The interval between two operations was 44.8±53.6 months, 24 cases (40%) underwent emergency operation, the recurrence of type A dissection included 51 cases, accounting for 85% of the causes of total arch re-replacement. In the second surgical procedures, the ascending + TAR + stented elephant trunk (SET) implantation accounted for 75.0%. The overall surgical success rate was 98.3%. Postoperative respiratory complications were the most common, including infection, pneumothorax and hemothorax in 21 cases (35.6%). The second most common complication was acute kidney injury (AKI) in six cases (10.2%), and neurological complications took place in three cases (5.1%). The 30-day mortality rate was 15.3% and the 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 96.0%, 84.0%, and 76.0%, respectively. The recurrence of dissection is the main cause of TAR after proximal aortic surgery, followed by aneurysm and the resurgical criteria for aneurysm needs to be unified. In addition to TAR, SET also is widely used. Despite high early mortality, its long-term prognosis is acceptable.

Application of the aortic balloon occlusion technique in Sun's procedure: A single-center study.

To study the impact of a balloon occlusion (BO) technique in stented elephant trunk implantation in Sun's procedure for acute Stanford type A aortic dissection (AAAD) on important postoperative organ complications and patient rehabilitation. Eighty-five patients with AAAD who underwent Sun's procedure from January 2019 to January 2020 were selected. Cases were divided into two groups based on whether the aortic BO technique was used in stented elephant trunk implantation: the BO group and the nonballoon occlusion (NBO) group. The collected data included the patients' clinical characteristics, operative data, postoperative complications and recovery. We applied statistical software to study the impact of a BO technique in stented elephant trunk implantation in Sun's procedure. A total of 85 patients with AAAD underwent Sun's procedure. A total of 29 used BO technique, 56 did not use. The circulatory arrest time in the BO group was controlled within 8.07 ± 2.33 min, and the nasopharyngeal temperature dropped to 28°C. Overall postoperative complications were less frequent in BO group than NBO group (52% vs. 75%; p = .030). Using BO technique, we reduced the 24-h drainage volume, and lowered the occurrence of hypoxemia (48%), liver dysfunction (10%), and median tracheal intubation time was 37 h (range: 12.5-106 h), median intensive care unit (ICU) time was 65 h (range: 17-207 h). During total aortic arch replacement and stented elephant trunk surgery for AAAD, we used the aortic BO technique, which avoids deeper hypothermia and effectively shortens circulatory arrest times. This approach is helpful for reducing the incidence of postoperative complications and shortening the intensive care unit time. This method also reduces the patient's medical burden and facilitates faster recovery.

Prediction of Acute Kidney Injury for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection Patients Who Underwent Sun’s Procedure by a Perioperative Nomogram

Introduction: Postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in 20–40% of acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) patients undergoing cardiac surgery. A predictive model could be developed to assess the probability of AKI in patients with ATAAD before and after cardiac surgery in a timely manner. Methods: This retrospective study enrolled a total of 224 patients with ATAAD. Patients were subjected to total arch replacement using a tetrafurcate graft with stented elephant trunk implantation according to Sun’s procedure. Statistical comparison for the collected data was done with Student’s t test or Mann-Whitney U test (continuous variables) and χ² test (categorical variables). The independent predictors were screened by multivariate logistic regression analysis and then incorporated into a nomogram. The reliability of cardiac surgery-associated AKI (CSA-AKI) models was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results: This study enrolled 224 ATAAD patients, including 53 patients with AKI and 171 patients without AKI. The incidence of ATAAD-induced AKI in the cohort was 23.66%. The screened predictors for AKI include iliac artery involvement, creatinine, D-dimer, autotransfusion, platelet-rich plasma reinfusion, nasal temperature, red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, drainage, and mechanical ventilation. The calculated AUC values for model 1, model 2, model 3, and model 4 were 0.710, 0.777, 0.827, and 0.848, respectively. Model 4 was optimum for AKI risk scoring compared with model 1, model 2, and model 3. Conclusions: AKI prediction models were established for ATAAD patients using preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative information. Particularly, model 4 shows superiority in risk prediction for CSA-AKI.

Development and evaluation of an early death risk prediction model after acute type A aortic dissection.

BackgroundThe purpose of the study was to assess the relationship between preoperative laboratory examination, clinical imaging data, and postoperative death of patients with acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) and to establish a prediction model of hospital death risk after the operation.MethodsA total of 224 cases of acute Standford A aortic dissection were treated by total arch replacement using a tetrafurcate graft with stented elephant trunk implantation in Tianjin Chest Hospital. Based on preoperative laboratory examination and clinical imaging data of patients with ATAAD, the independent risk factors of postoperative hospital death were obtained using logistic analysis, and a risk prediction model of postoperative hospital death was developed.ResultsIndependent risk factors of postoperative death in patients with ATAAD were: body mass index (BMI), preoperative neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), mean platelet volume (MPV), creatinine (Cr), D-dimer, high-sensitive cardiac troponin T (hs-CTnT), apolipoprotein A1, left subclavian artery involvement, and iliac artery involvement. The regression equation of postoperative death risk was: logitP1 = −9.584 + 1.060 × NLR + 1.586 × MPV + 1.009 × Cr + 1.067 × D-dimer + 2.023 × hs-CTnT; the regression equation of postoperative death risk was: logitP2 = −3.296 + 3.242 × left subclavian artery involved + 4.564 × iliac artery involved; the regression equation of postoperative death risk was: logitP3 = −12.864 + 1.149 × BMI + 4.731 × left subclavian artery involved + 4.150 × iliac artery involved + 1.064 × NLR + 1.011 × Cr + 1.084 × D-dimer + 2.242 × hs-CTnT + 3.233 × apolipoprotein A1.ConclusionsBMI, NLR, MPV, Cr, D-dimer, hs-CTnT, apolipoprotein A1, left subclavian artery involvement and iliac artery involvement can affect the hospital mortality rate of aortic dissection undergoing Sun’s operation to varying degrees, which may be helpful to guide the design of the perioperative treatment strategy.

Plasma S100β and neuron-specific enolase, but not neuroglobin, are associated with early cognitive dysfunction after total arch replacement surgery: A pilot study.

To investigate whether plasma concentrations of S100β protein, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and neuroglobin (NGB) correlate with early postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in patients undergoing total arch replacement.This prospective study analyzed 40 patients who underwent total arch replacement combined with stented elephant trunk implantation at our hospital between March 2017 and January 2019. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) preoperatively, on the day after extubation and on day 7 after surgery. Plasma levels of S100β, NSE, and NGB POCD were assayed preoperatively and at 1, 6, and 24 hours after cardiopulmonary bypass. POCD was defined as a decrease of at least 1 unit in the MMSE score from before surgery until day 7, and patients were stratified into those who experienced POCD or not. The 2 groups were compared in clinicodemographic characteristics and plasma levels of the 3 proteins.Plasma levels of all 3 biomarkers increased significantly during and after cardiopulmonary bypass. Levels of S100β and NSE, but not NGB, were significantly higher in the 15 patients who showed POCD than in the remainder who did not. For prediction of early POCD, S100β showed an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.71 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55–0.87), sensitivity of 48%, and specificity of 87%. The corresponding values for NSE were 0.77 (95%CI 0.60–0.94), 92%, and 67%. Together, S100β and NSE showed an AUC of 0.81 (95%CI 0.66–0.96), sensitivity of 73%, and specificity of 80%. NGB did not significantly predict early POCD (AUC 0.62, 95%CI 0.43–0.80).Plasma S100β protein and NSE, but not NGB, may help predict early POCD after total arch replacement.

Mild hypothermic circulatory arrest with selective cerebral perfusion in open arch surgery.

BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate whether the use of mild hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) with selective cerebral perfusion (SCP) in open arch procedure provides comparable perioperative results to moderate HCA for patients with dissected or degenerative arch pathologies.MethodsBetween January 2017 and September 2020, a total of 88 consecutive patients (mean age 47±11 years, 71 males) underwent open arch repair under a single surgeon at our institution with mild or moderate systemic hypothermia assisted by unilateral or bilateral SCP. Patients were divided into groups according to the nasopharyngeal temperature at the beginning of HCA: a moderate HCA group (n=47, 53.4%) and a mild HCA group (n=41, 46.6%). The postoperative mortality, morbidity, and visceral organ functions between these groups were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsCompared to the moderate HCA group, the mild HCA group had a significantly higher core temperature (nasopharynx: 24.4±0.8 vs. 28.5±2, P<0.001; bladder 25.9±0.9 vs. 30±1.2, P<0.001), and the incidence of major adverse events (MAE) in this group was markedly lower (21.3% vs. 4.9%, P=0.031). No differences were identified between the two groups refer to in-hospital mortality, permanent neurological deficit (PND), temporary neurological deficit (TND), and paraplegia (8.5% vs. 2.4%, P=0.366; 8.5% vs. 0, P=0.120; 6.4% vs. 7.3%, P=1.0; 4.3% vs. 2.4%, P=1.0, respectively). In the moderate HCA group, 6 patients (12.8%) developed acute renal failure needing replacement therapy, which did not occur in the mild HCA group (P=0.028). The duration of ventilator support and intensive care unit stay was shorter in the mild HCA group, as well as a decreased volume of drainage during the first 24 h and reduced platelet transfusion.ConclusionsThe preliminary results of the mild HCA group with SCP applied in open arch repair, mainly in total arch replacement (TAR) and stented elephant trunk (SET) implantation for aortic dissection, were satisfactory. Furthermore, comparable inferior outcomes were obtained with mild HCA compared with that of the conventional moderate HCA strategy. These encouraging surgical and postoperative results favor this more aggressive hypothermia strategy in open arch repair.

Prior reconstruction of an isolated left vertebral artery for Stanford type A aortic dissection.

Although isolated left vertebral artery is a supra-aortic trunk variant, it is not so rare. It may pose additional difficulties during total arch replacement surgeries. The aim of this study was to present our experience with prior reconstruction of isolated left vertebral artery by isolated left vertebral artery-left common carotid artery during total arch replacement combined with stented elephant trunk implantation.

Different hypothermic and cerebral perfusion strategies in extended arch replacement for acute type a aortic dissection: a retrospective comparative study

BackgroundThe optimal hypothermic level in total arch replacement with stented elephant trunk implantation for acute type A aortic dissection (aTAAD) has not been established, and the superiority of unilateral or bilateral cerebral perfusion remains a controversial issue. Therefore, we evaluated the application of moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest (MHCA) with a core temperature of 29 °C and bilateral selective antegrade cerebral perfusion in aTAAD treated by total arch replacement with stented elephant trunk implantation.MethodsFrom July 2019 to January 2020, 25 aTAAD patients underwent total arch replacement with stented elephant trunk implantation via MHCA (29 °C) and bilateral selective antegrade cerebral perfusion (modified group). Thirty-six patients treated by the same procedure with MHCA (25 °C) and unilateral selective antegrade cerebral perfusion during this period were selected as controls.ResultsThere were no differences between the two groups of patients in terms of age, sex, incidence of hypertension, malperfusion, and pericardial effusion, although the incidence of cardiac tamponade was higher in the modified group (control 2.8%, modified 20%; P = 0.038). The lowest mean circulatory arrest temperature was 24.6 ± 0.9 °C in the control group, and 29 ± 0.8 °C in the modified group (P < 0.001). In-hospital mortality was 4.9% (3/61) for the entire cohort (control 8.3%, modified 0; P = 0.262). The incidence of permanent neurologic deficit was 4.9% (control 8.3%, modified 0; P = 0.262). There were no significant differences in the occurrence of temporary neurological deficit, renal failure, and paraplegia between groups. The rate of major adverse events in the modified group was lower (30.6% vs. 4%, P = 0.019). A shorter duration of ventilation and ICU stay was identified in the modified group, as well as a reduced volume of drainage within the first 48 h and red blood cell transfusion.ConclusionsThe early results of MHCA (29 °C) and bilateral selective antegrade cerebral perfusion applied in total arch replacement with stented elephant trunk implantation for aTAAD were acceptable, providing similar inferior cerebral and visceral protection compared with that of the conventional strategy. A higher core temperature may account for the shorter duration of ventilation and ICU stay, as well as a reduced volume of drainage and red blood cell transfusion.

Application of a Modified Extracorporeal Circulation Perfusion Method During Surgery for Acute Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the modified extracorporeal circulation perfusion method during surgery for acute Stanford type A aortic dissection in patients who underwent stented elephant trunk implantation and arch replacement. A total of 69 patients with acute Stanford type A aortic dissection who underwent stented elephant trunk implantation and arch replacement were retrospectively analysed from 2017 to 2018. According to the perfusion method of extracorporeal circulation, patients were divided into a routine perfusion (RP) group and a modified perfusion (MP) group. Clinical data were collected, including the time of extracorporeal circulation and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, incidence of acute kidney injury and neurological complications, and comparisons between the two groups were conducted by using independent sample t-tests for normally distributed qualitative data, the Mann-Whitney U-test for skewed qualitative data, and the chi square test or Fisher's exact test for categorical data. There were 55 (80%) males and 14 (20%) females in the entire cohort, and the mean ± standard deviation age was 50.4±9.0 years. A total of 53 (77%) patients were included in the RP group, and 16 (23%) were included in the MP group. Patients in the MP group were older (55.5±7.8 vs 48.8±8.9 years), and the difference was significant (p=0.008). Compared with the RP group, the time of extracorporeal circulation (218.0 [44.7] vs 246.0 [58.0] min; p=0.005) and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (4.0 [2.0] vs 25.0 [10.0] min; p<0.001) was shorter, and the incidence of postoperative acute kidney injury (n=6 [37.5%] vs n=36 [67.9%]; p=0.029) was lower in the MP group; the differences were significant. Six (6) patients died in the RP group; no patients diedin the MP group. The total in-hospital mortality rate was 8.7%. The modified extracorporeal circulation perfusion method is feasible, with satisfactory results.

David reimplantation with simultaneous total arch replacement and stented elephant trunk for acute type A aortic dissection

ObjectivesTo compare early and mid-term outcomes between David reimplantation and the Bentall procedure with simultaneous total arch replacement (TAR) and stented elephant trunk (SET) implantation in acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD). MethodsFrom January 2012 to June 2018, 148 patients underwent aortic root replacement combined with TAR and SET for ATAAD. Patients were evaluated retrospectively and categorized into David reimplantation (n = 55) and Bentall procedure (n = 93) groups. Propensity-matched analysis was performed to compare in-hospital and follow-up adverse events between the 2 groups. ResultsIn-hospital mortality and the incidence of major perioperative complications were comparable between the 2 groups (all P > .05). No significant difference in mean cardiopulmonary bypass time and circulatory arrest time was found between the 2 groups, although mean crossclamp time was longer in the David group (P = .02). During a follow-up period of 2.6 (interquartile range, 1.5-4.3) years, the Bentall group experienced rates of paravalvular leakage and prosthetic valve endocarditis of 2.3% and 2.3%, respectively, whereas the David group experienced rates of infective endocarditis and recurrent moderate aortic regurgitation of 1.9% and 1.9%, respectively. The overall survival was 82.9% for the David group and 89.2% for the Bentall group (P = .63), whereas the incidence of major cardiovascular-related events was 21.3% and 17.3% (P = .30) 5 years postoperatively. ConclusionsFor Chinese patients undergoing ATAAD, David reimplantation provided similar outcomes compared with the Bentall procedure, with simultaneous TAR and SET. David reimplantation is an appealing option for patients who suffer root ectasia or extensive sinus damage albeit normal leaflets.

Risk Factors for Permanent Neurological Dysfunction and Early Mortality in Patients with Type A Aortic Dissection Requiring Total Arch Replacement.

Surgery is a definitive treatment for patients with type A aortic dissection. The aim of this study was to identify and analyze the risk factors for permanent neurological dysfunction (PND) and 30-day mortality in patients following total arch replacement and stented elephant trunk implantation in the descending aorta.Methods: The clinical data of 85 consecutive patients who underwent this surgical procedure between December 2013 and May 2017 were reviewed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the independent predictors of postoperative PND and 30-day mortality.Results: There were 62 males and 23 females, with a mean age of 47.6 ± 11.7 years (range, 26-73 years). Ten patients (11.76%) developed PND after surgery. Postoperative 30-day mortality was 11.76% (10/85), including one death during hospitalization and nine deaths after discharge. Multivariate analysis showed that hypertension was independently associated with postoperative PND (OR = 4.407, 95% CI: 1.021-19.023, P = .047), and age and postoperative PND were independent predictors for 30-day mortality (OR, 1.120; 95% CI, 1.026-1.221; P = .011 and OR, 7.503; CI, 1.290-43.634; P = .025, respectively).Conclusion: Hypertension was independently associated with postoperative PND, and age and postoperative PND were predictors for early mortality in patients who underwent total arch replacement and stented elephant trunk implantation.

Distal Arch Aneurysm Repair Using Left Subclavian Artery Transposition With Stented Elephant Trunk in the Hybrid Repair Era

Hybrid aortic arch repair is an invasive approach to the surgical management of distal aortic arch aneurysm. The complications associated with hybrid aortic arch repair, such as stroke and endoleaks, are not uncommon and late reintervention is frequent. We retrospectively reviewed our experience of distal aortic arch aneurysm repair using the stented elephant trunk procedure with left subclavian artery (LSCA)-left common carotid artery (LCCA) transposition in the hybrid repair era. Between May 2009 and September 2016, 19 patients with distal aortic arch aneurysm underwent LSCA-LCCA transposition with stented elephant trunk implantation under hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass with selective antegrade cerebral perfusion. All patients were males with a median age of 51±14 (range 20-69) years. There were no in-hospital deaths. Continuous renal replacement therapy was not required in patients with preoperative renal dysfunction after surgery. No neurologic deficits were observed in any patients prior to hospital discharge. One patient underwent concomitant thoracic endovascular aortic repair after this technique. One case required reoperation due to bleeding. One patient required debridement due to poor wound healing. During a mean follow-up of 33±21months, one patient died. Satisfactory results were obtained in suitable patients undergoing surgery for distal aortic arch aneurysm using LSCA-LCCA transposition with stented elephant trunk implantation in the hybrid repair era. The straightforward nature of the surgical approach, with avoidance of the complications related to hybrid aortic arch repair and reduction of late re-intervention favours this technique for treating distal aortic arch aneurysm.

The application of short stent in root of aorta for the treatment of Stanford type A aortic dissection

Objective: To explore the effect of implanting short stent in root of aorta for the treatment of Stanford type A aortic dissection. Methods: Clinical data of 39 patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection who underwent surgical procedure at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of Luoyang Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, between January 2013 and December 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 31 males and 8 females aged 27 to 75 (49.3±10.3) years. All patients received short stent implanting in aortic root, total arch replacement and stented elephant trunk implantation were performed at the same time. Results: All the operations were successfully performed. Two patients died during hospitalization. Four patients underwent reexploration for postoperative bleeding. Postoperative mortality was 5.1%(2/39). Follow-up duration was 3 to 24 months, with a median time of 14 months. One patient died of lung infection, gastrointestinal bleeding and renal faliure during follow-up. Conclusion: Patients with aortic intimal tear located at higher root of aorta may be suitable for short stent implanting, and the procedure has satisfactory clinical outcomes.

Retrograde Type A Dissection after Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair: Surgical Strategy and Literature Review

In this study, we investigated the surgical strategy for managing retrograde type A dissection (RTAD) after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) by reporting our experience and literature review. From June 2011 to January 2014, nine patients with RTAD received surgical repair in our institution. The mean age of these patients was 49.3±10.7 years. Data on these RTAD patients was retrospectively collected for further analysis. Literature related to RTAD after TEVAR from 2006 to 2014 was reviewed using the following terms: thoracic endovascular aortic repair, retrograde type A dissection, stent induced new entry, and surgical repair. We adopted a total arch replacement combined with a stented elephant trunk implantation and partly preserved the previous TEVAR stent during operation. In-hospital death rate was 11.1% (one of nine). One patient (11.1%) developed paraparesis after operation. No late deaths or complications occurred during follow-up. Literature review identified four articles on the surgical management of RTAD after TEVAR. Our literature review also showed total arch replacement with the stented elephant trunk implantation might be associated with a better prognosis. Retrograde type A dissection is a serious complication after TEVAR. The induced factors of RTAD were various and complicated. Our experience and literature review indicates a combination of total arch replacement, stented elephant trunk implantation and partly preserving the previous TEVAR stent is feasible for the surgical repair of RTAD after TEVAR.

Simplified total aortic arch replacement with an in situ stent graft fenestration technique for acute type A aortic dissection

ObjectiveTotal arch replacement combined with stented elephant trunk implantation in the descending aorta has successfully improved the outcomes of acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD). However, the optimal surgical strategy for the left subclavian artery (LSA) during the procedure remains a challenge. This study aimed to present our new technique of in situ stent graft fenestration to simplify the surgical procedure for suitable cases of AAAD. MethodsFrom August 2008 to December 2015, a total of 106 patients underwent simplified total aortic arch replacement with an in situ stent graft fenestration technique. The mean age of the patients was 50.71 ± 11.54 years (range, 24-78 years). Both perioperative variables and postoperative follow-up outcome of the procedure were assessed. ResultsThe in-hospital mortality rate was 7.5%. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 162.73 ± 68.49 minutes, cross-clamp time was 93.13 ± 22.29 minutes, and circulatory arrest time was 23.28 ± 5.56 minutes. Transient neurologic dysfunction was observed in five patients. No permanent neurologic dysfunction was observed, and no stroke or left arm ischemia occurred. During the follow-up period (mean, 43.4 ± 21.53 months), the survival rates of patients were 90.6%, 85.5%, and 78.8% at 1 year, 2 years, and 7 years, respectively. No stroke or left limb ischemia was observed. The LSA perfusion was well preserved in all surviving patients, and there was no endoleak or dissection around the LSA. All patients were free from reoperation. ConclusionsThe in situ graft fenestration technique could simplify the procedure of LSA reconstruction during total arch replacement, provide a good surgical view for anastomosis and hemostasis, shorten the operation time, and yield satisfactory early and midterm results. It is a safe and effective alternative approach for suitable patients with AAAD. However, the long-term results of this technique need further evaluation.

Clinical analysis of 24 cases of aortic dissection during pregnancy

Objective: To investigate the management and perinatal outcome of aortic dissection during pregnancy. Methods: 24 pregnant women with aortic dissection who delivered in Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from January 1st, 2006 to February 29th, 2016 were recruited. The clinical data, the management and the perinatal outcome were analyzed retrospectively. Results: (1) Clinical features: The average age of the patients was (29±4) years old. The clinical symptoms occurred from 5 gestational weeks to 1 month after delivery. The major symptoms were chest pain, and some complained migratory or radiating pains. There were 17 Stanford type A cases and 7 type B cases. The aortic widths were 2.9-10.0 cm, with the average of (5.6±1.7) cm. D-dimer level was 448-6 421 μg/L, with the average of (1 097±1 209) μg/L, and the fibrin degradation products were 4.1-52.1 mg/L, with the average of (10.2±9.5) mg/L.The white blood cell ranged (6.8-36.4)×10(9)/L, with the average of (29.4±4.2)×10(9)/L; and the neutrophil rate was 76.0%-97.6%, with the average of (84.6±6.3) %. (2) The treatment: ①19 patients underwent aorta surgeries. The surgeries included aortic root replacement with total aortic arch replacement plus stented elephant trunk implantation (Bentall+Sun's surgery), aortic root replacement (Bentall surgery), stent implantation, thoracic and abdominal aorta replacement. The aortic operation time of the 19 patients were 5 gestational weeks to 1 month after delivery. The relation between aortic operation and the termination of pregnancy: 4 patients underwent aorta surgery after termination of pregnancy, 9 patients had cesarean section and aorta surgery at the same time, 6 patients underwent aorta surgery before cesarean section. ② 5 patients did not receive arota surgery, 2 patients of type A dissection and 1 patient of type B dissection died before the surgery; 2 cases of type B dissection underwent conservative treatment. The termination time of pregnancy was 6-37 gestational weeks, with the average of (26±10) weeks. (3)Maternal and fetal outcomes: 20 patients survived after treatment (83%, 20/24) and 4 patients died (17%, 4/24). 10 cases were live births, including 4 full-term infants and 6 preterm premature infants. The birth weight of the neonates was 1 080-3 800 g, with the average of (2 302±764) g. Three of them were very low birth weight infants and 1 was low birth weight infant; 3 neonates had mild asphyxia. The neonates were followed up for 0.5 to 10 years, with the average time of (1.4±1.7) years. So far the infants' development was good. Conclusions: Pregnancy with aortic dissection is pernicious. Early identification, prompt diagnosis and prompt interventing of the vascular surgery are necessary to the safety of mother and fetus.

Incidence and Risk Factors of Delirium in Patients After Type-A Aortic Dissection Surgery

To study the incidence and related risk factors for postoperative delirium after type-A aortic dissection in patients who underwent Sun's procedure (total arch replacement using a tetrafurcate graft with stented elephant trunk implantation). A retrospective study. A cardiac surgical intensive care unit. The study comprised 100 patients admitted to the intensive care unit for type-A aortic dissection. All patients underwent Sun's procedure with uniform preoperative and anesthetic treatment. Delirium was evaluated using the Confusion Assessment Method for the intensive care unit. Baseline demographics and preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were recorded and analyzed retrospectively via univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression. The incidence of postoperative delirium was 34%, according to Confusion Assessment Method for the intensive care unit criteria. Univariate analysis revealed that 17 variables differed significantly among patients with and without delirium. Additional multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis confirmed that cerebrovascular disease history, surgery duration, cardiopulmonary bypass duration, intubation time, and hypoxia were strongly associated with postoperative delirium. Delirium is a common postoperative complication of aortic dissection. Cerebrovascular disease history, surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass duration, postoperative hypoxia, and intubation time are independently associated with the development of delirium. Early diagnosis of delirium and modifying these factors properly may be helpful to improve patients' prognosis.