Open Aortic Arch Replacement Research Articles

Aortic arch replacement in patients with previous repair of acute aortic dissection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Despite the popularity of the frozen elephant technique procedure in recent years, evidence is scarce regarding its utilisation for aortic arch replacement following previous acute aortic dissection repair. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to analyse clinical outcomes of aortic arch replacement in patients with previous repair of acute aortic dissection. A systematic literature search on PubMed, MEDLINE via Ovid, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science until March 2024 was performed for studies on open aortic arch replacement with or without frozen elephant technique procedure in adult patients after previous acute aortic dissection repair. Early and late postoperative mortality were primary, while postoperative complications were outcomes of interest. Additionally, a meta-analysis was performed to pool the early and late postoperative mortality. A total of 574 studies were identified, of which 9 studies including a total of 677 patients met the eligibility criteria. In-hospital or 30-day postoperative mortality and stroke were 0-17.5% and 0-7.7%, respectively. Duration of follow-up across all studies varied from 1.1 to 5.1 years. All-cause late mortality rate ranges from 5.9-30.5%. Aortic reintervention rate was 4.8-38.7%. The pooled early and late mortality rate were 8.7% ([95% CI: 5.7-13%], I2=52%) and 24.9% ([95% CI: 19.5-31.1%], I2=54%), respectively. Current evidence suggest that relatively younger patients with chronic post-dissection aneurysm or residual aortic dissection after acute aortic dissection repair can undergo an aortic arch replacement by a dedicated aortic team with acceptable mortality risk. However, postoperative neurological deficit remains an issue.

Diabetes Mellitus Predicts Severe Respiratory Failure After Aortic Arch Replacement

Objective: The lung is a target organ of diabetes mellitus (DM) via glycation of pulmonary elastin and collagen. In addition, hyperglycemia facilitates hypercapnic respiratory failure, which is instead mitigated by low‐carbohydrate high‐lipid (LC‐HL) nutrition. We sought to determine the association between diabetes and severe respiratory failure (SRF, i.e., need of reintubation\tracheostomy) after open aortic arch replacement (AAR).Methods: Machine learning algorithms were evaluated for precision and recall (F2 score) and for clinical applicability to predict SRF. Conditional regression evaluated independent predictors of SRF after 1:2 propensity‐score matching.Results: Information on diabetic status was available in 1275 patients undergoing AAR (1997–2023). Although support vector machine presented the highest F2 score (F2 = 0.337), conditional inference trees provided the most clinically applicable algorithm: diabetes was the best predictor of SRF, which occurred in 20/150 diabetics (13.3%) vs. 40/1125 nondiabetics (3.6%) (p < 0.01). In diabetics, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was the next best predictor of SRF, which occurred in 8/20 diabetics with LVEF ≤ 30% (40%) vs. 12/130 diabetics with LVEF >30% (9.2%) (p = 0.02). In nondiabetics, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was the next best predictor of respiratory failure, which occurred in 14/177 nondiabetics with COPD (7.9%) vs. 26/948 nondiabetics without COPD (2.7%) (p = 0.01). In the matched sample, diabetes was independently able to predict SRF (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.10 | 4.42).Conclusions: DM was the best predictor of SRF after AAR. Strict glycemic control and LC‐HL nutrition should be evaluated as measures to reduce postoperative SRF in diabetic patients.

Hybrid Technique Outcomes for High-Risk Uncomplicated Type B Aortic Dissection With Landing Zone 1

In this report, we analyzed the outcomes of the hybrid technique for high-risk uncomplicated type B aortic dissection with landing zone 1. We enrolled 80 patients from January 2016 to January 2020 and retrospectively analyzed their outcomes, including mortality, aortic-related adverse events, and aortic remodeling. The mean age was 51.6 ± 9.9years, and 68.0% (54 of 80) were men. Technical success was achieved in 100% of cases (80 of 80), and 30-day mortality was 4% of patients (n=3), including 2 dissection-related deaths. Immediate endoleaks occurred in 16 patients, including 11 type Ia and 5 type II. Four patients (5%) developed minor strokes postoperatively, and no short-term spinal cord ischemia and re-intervention occurred. The average length of stay was 20 ± 8days. The overall mortality was 8% after a median follow-up of 44 months (38 to 52). Five patients (7%) developed strokes, and 11 (16%) had late endoleaks, including 1 type Ia, 5 type Ib, and 3 type II. Four re-interventions (5%) were necessary, 3 for endoleaks and 1 for retrograde type A dissection. Three bypass graft occlusions (5%) and 5 stoma stenoses (8%) were observed in the latest follow-up computed tomography. In conclusion, the hybrid technique with landing zone 1 might be a viable alternative to open aortic arch replacement in patients at high risk with uncomplicated type B aortic dissection with acceptable early and late outcomes. However, stroke and endoleak complications should be further addressed.

Open surgical treatment for aortic arch and coronary artery aneurysms associated with immunoglobulin G4-related disease: a case report

BackgroundImmunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4RD) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by a dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate containing IgG4-positive plasma cells that can cause aneurysms in various organs and tissues. There have been many reports of IgG4RD aneurysms; however, the surgical procedures adopted remain controversial. Herein, we report a case in which surgical treatment for IgG4-related aneurysms was successful.Case presentationAn 83-year-old woman with IgG4-related disease developed multiple aneurysms, including thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA), right coronary artery aneurysm (CAA), abdominal aortic aneurysm, and common iliac artery aneurysm. Enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed progressive enlargement of the TAA, while positron emission tomography-CT revealed intense 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake around the TAA and CAA, suggesting the presence of adhesive tissue caused by adventitial inflammation around the aneurysms. Open aortic arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk procedure and coronary artery bypass grafting with ligation of the coronary artery were performed to treat the TAA and CAA. No surgical complications occurred. The postoperative CT scan showed no endoleak around the open stent graft and the coronary artery was patent. The patient is being followed up on an outpatient basis after discontinuing steroid therapy.ConclusionsWe report the successful surgical treatment of IgG4-related multiple aneurysms. Our findings reveal that the main site of inflammation in aneurysms of IgG4RD is the adventitia and the frozen elephant trunk procedure is useful for avoiding complications.

Aortic arch repair in chronic dissection using 3D-printing planning

During imaging follow-up, the residual dissection after a type A repair dissection could progress and may require repair of the aortic arch and the distal aorta. Our approach for repairing the evolving dissection includes open aortic arch replacement involving all 3 supra-aortic branches in combination with the frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique (n = 14). Distal arch repair combines a vascular and endovascular treatment to treat aortic arch disease (n = 13). A 3D printed aorta model has been used preoperatively and intraoperatively to improve surgical results. Hereby we report our aortic arch surgical experience and results in the treatment for this challenging pathology.

Parallel grafts and physician modified endografts for endovascular repair of the aortic arch.

Aortic arch aneurysms are a challenging clinical problem especially in high-risk patients. Open aortic arch replacement, even in the best of centers, carries significant risk of stroke or death in this high-risk population. Many high-risk patients are deemed inoperable and not offered repair. Branched and fenestrated thoracic endografts are currently undergoing clinical trials in the United States but are not yet commercially available. Many elderly and frail patients have significant brachiocephalic occlusive disease or anatomy excluding them for consideration for such clinical trials. These patients also present with acute aortic syndromes requiring urgent or emergent repair and are unable to participate in clinical trials due to the time required to have such devices available. Alternative endovascular therapies, including parallel stent grafts (including Chimneys, Snorkels and Periscopes) and physician modified thoracic endografts, have been used to treat such high-risk patients combined with commercially available thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) devices. This paper aims to review the techniques and current reported outcomes from parallel stent grafts and physician modified devices used to treat high risk patients undergoing repair for aortic arch pathologies.

Iatrogenic coarctation caused by branched thoracic endovascular aortic repair treated with Palmaz XL stent and triple kissing balloon technique.

We have described a technique to treat iatrogenic coarctation caused by a branched thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) procedure with a Palmaz XL stent (Palmaz Genesis; Cordis Corp, a Cardinal Health Company, Milpitas, Calif) and triple kissing balloons. A 42-year-old woman with Marfan syndrome had presented with aneurysmatic dilatation of the aortic arch 10 years after open aortic arch repair. After successful branched TEVAR, a significant coarctation just short of the left common carotid artery was noted with significant pressure gradient between the ascending and descending aorta. Branched TEVAR in previous open aortic arch replacement can result in iatrogenic coarctation that can be successfully treated using a Palmaz XL stent and triple kissing balloons.

Selective Heart, Brain and Body Perfusion in Open Aortic Arch Replacement

Open aortic arch replacement is a complex and challenging procedure, especially in post dissection aneurysms and in redo procedures after previous surgery of the ascending aorta or aortic root. We report our experience with the simultaneous selective perfusion of heart, brain, and remaining body to ensure optimal perfusion and to minimize perfusion-related risks during these procedures. We used a specially configured heart–lung machine with a centrifugal pump as arterial pump and an additional roller pump for the selective cerebral perfusion. Initial arterial cannulation is achieved via femoral artery or right axillary artery. After lower body circulatory arrest and selective antegrade cerebral perfusion for the distal arch anastomosis, we started selective lower body perfusion simultaneously to the selective antegrade cerebral perfusion and heart perfusion. Eighteen patients were successfully treated with this perfusion strategy from October 2012 to November 2015. No complications related to the heart–lung machine and the cannulation occurred during the procedures. Mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 239 ± 33 minutes, the simultaneous selective perfusion of brain, heart, and remaining body lasted 55 ± 23 minutes. One patient suffered temporary neurological deficit that resolved completely during intensive care unit stay. No patient experienced a permanent neurological deficit or end-organ dysfunction. These high-risk procedures require a concept with a special setup of the heart–lung machine. Our perfusion strategy for aortic arch replacement ensures a selective perfusion of heart, brain, and lower body during this complex procedure and we observed excellent outcomes in this small series. This perfusion strategy is also applicable for redo procedures.

Open aortic arch replacement in high-risk patients: the gold standard.

Open total aortic arch replacement (TAR) in high-risk patients is considered by some to be associated with a prohibitively perioperative risk. Recent reports describe hybrid techniques to treat this group. We reviewed our outcomes of open surgery in a 'high-risk' group of patients. All patients who underwent open TAR between 2000 and 2013 were identified from our prospectively maintained database. Patients comparable with the ones who underwent hybrid repair in previous studies (logistic EuroSCORE between 20 and 60 without intervention on the aortic root or on the mitral/tricuspid valve) were selected for analysis. Fifty-eight patients were identified. Median logistic EuroSCORE was 27.4 (range 20-57) and median age was 76 years (34.5% male). There were 11 resternotomies (18.9%) and 20 procedures were urgent/emergency (34.5%). Preoperative comorbidities included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (31%), coronary artery disease (22.4%), peripheral vascular disease (48.3%), previous stroke (5.2%), previous myocardial infarction (3.4%) and left ventricular dysfunction (12%). Concomitant procedures included aortic valve replacement/resuspension (58.7%), coronary artery bypass grafting (22.4%), open descending aorta replacement (10.3%) and frozen elephant trunk (19%). Overall in-hospital mortality, permanent stroke and spinal cord injury rate were 6.9, 1.7 and 0%, respectively. There were no deaths or stroke in the elective group. One-year, 5-year and 10-year estimates of survival were 82.7, 70.0 and 37.8%, respectively. Open TAR can be performed with low mortality and morbidity and excellent long-term results even in high-risk patients. Total endovascular repair may represent an option for patients not suitable for open surgery.

294 * LONG-TERM RESULTS AFTER OPEN AORTIC ARCH SURGERY FOR ANEURYSMS AND TYPE A AORTIC DISSECTIONS: COMPARABLE OUTCOMES BEYOND THE PERIOPERATIVE PERIOD

Objectives: Type A aortic dissection is a life-threatening disease associated with high mortality, if untreated. With recent improvements in cannulation and cerebral protection strategies, surgery can be performed safely with acceptable operative mortality and neurologic outcomes. However, operative mortality is still higher than in patients with aneurysms and long-term survival may be reduced due to complications by the remaining dissection in the descending aorta. The objective of this study is to compare the long-term outcome after open aortic arch replacement for type A aortic dissection and aneurysm. Methods: Between March 2000 and March 2013, 204 consecutive patients received hemi- (n = 142) and complete (n = 62) aortic arch replacement at our institution. One hundred and six patients suffered from type A aortic dissection and 98 from aortic aneurysm. Cerebral perfusion strategy included unilateral (45.1%), bilateral (31.4%), retrograde (14.7%) perfusion or deep hypothermic circulatory arrest only (n = 8.8%). Mean follow-up was 4.4 ± 3.6 years (range 0–13.4) and was complete in 99.5%. Results: Thirty-day mortality was 3.1% for patients with aortic aneurysm compared to 29.2% for type A aortic dissection (P < 0.0001). Total 10-year survival for patients with aneurysms was 64.3% and 55.5% after dissection (P = 0.005). Excluding 30 day-mortality analysis showed a 10-year survival of 67.4% and 74.7%, respectively (P = 0.793). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, the only predictor for long-term survival was logistic EuroSCORE II. Conclusion: Once patients survived the perioperative period, long-term survival of patients with aortic dissection is not inferior compared to patients with aortic aneurysms.

EComment. Total surgical aortic arch replacement

We would like to congratulate Czerny et al. for their very well written article and favourable results [1]. The authors conclude that open total aortic arch replacement shows very satisfying results, mainly due to improvements in perfusion technology, better surgical technique, and careful anesthesiology management. In our exerience, out of 52 consecutive patients that required open total aortic arch replacement, either for dissection or aneurysmal disease, the 30-day mortality was 4.3% and the peri-operative neurological injury was 7.1%. We use deep hypothermic circulatory arrest in all patients with retrograde cerebral perfusion through the superior vena cava. We routinely cannulate the femoral artery when necessary, instead of the axillary artery. Almost one quarter of our patients underwent a re-operation, with the majority having a prior ascending aortic aneurysm repair. We use an elephant trunk technique in cases of aneurysmal dilatation of the thoracic aorta. It is our strong belief that the key to a successful outcome in open aortic arch replacement is surgical perfection and speed of the operation, in order to minimize the body ischaemia during the circulatory arrest. This means that it is a type of surgery that should be performed only by experienced surgeons in large referral centers. Conflict of interest: none declared

Open aortic arch replacement in the era of endovascular techniques†

Despite the progress in protection and surgical techniques, the proponents of endovascular techniques for aortic arch repair still consider conventional arch replacement to be high risk, mostly due to deep hypothermia, which in the past was generally used for cerebral and organ protection. The aim of the study was to evaluate the operative results of open aortic arch replacement using current perfusion and surgical techniques in which deep hypothermia is avoided. Between October 2004 and February 2012, 131 consecutive patients with non-acute-dissected aortic arch pathology (mean age: 66 ± 11 years) were referred for surgery. All patients were operated on conventionally using circular aortic arch replacement with repair of one (10), two (58) or all arch branches (63). The adjacent aorta was replaced in all cases (ascending--115, descending--2 and both--14). Nine (6.9%) patients had previous neurological defects with residual symptoms and 17 (13.0%) had previous cardiac surgery. Either unilateral (130) or bilateral (1) cerebral perfusion at a blood temperature of 28°C (mean duration 36 ± 14, range: 16-80 min) was performed for brain protection during circulatory arrest under mild-to-moderate hypothermia (mean rectal temperature 30.0 ± 1.6°C). Concomitant cardiac procedures, mostly on the aortic valve, were necessary in 121 (92%) patients. Among 114 patients needing aortic valve/root surgery, there were 70 aortic valve-preserving procedures. Permanent neurological deficit or temporary dysfunctions occurred in 1 (0.8%) and 6 patients (4.6%), respectively. No patient suffered from paraplegia. The postoperative 30-day mortality was 2.3% (3 patients). A total of 17 patients died during the follow-up time of up to 97 months (mean 37 ± 27 months), resulting in an actuarial survival of 81.9 ± 4.3% at 5 years. No patient needed any reoperation or new intervention on the repaired aorta. Conventional arch surgery offers definitive repair and can be safely performed using current perfusion and operative techniques. Open procedures ensure simultaneous aortic valve repair, which is frequently necessary, and can be performed by reconstruction in more than half of the cases. The use of refined surgical and cerebral perfusion techniques allows the avoidance of deep hypothermia with all its negative side effects and leads to excellent outcomes against which the results of alternative approaches should be compared.

Improving Results of Open Arch Replacement

The rapid evolution of endovascular approaches to arch reconstruction such as brachiocephalic debranching and endovascular stent grafting renders an accurate understanding of contemporary outcomes of conventional open arch surgery particularly relevant. Cases of arch reconstruction were identified by search of the computerized cardiovascular surgical database. Perioperative (30-day) outcomes as per The Society of Thoracic Surgeons database were evaluated. Between January 1, 1993, and June 30, 2007, 347 patients (195 male, 152 female; median age, 69 years; range, 21 to 88 years) underwent aortic arch replacement. Procedures were elective in 232 cases. Total arch replacement was performed in 95, including 15 with concomitant replacement of the descending thoracic aorta by means of bilateral thoracosternotomy. Modalities adjunctive to profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest for cerebral protection have been introduced, including retrograde cerebral perfusion and, more recently, selective antegrade cerebral perfusion. The overall mortality rate was 8.9% (elective procedures, 6.0%) and stroke rate was 8.4% (elective procedures, 6.9%). The mortality rate for total arch replacement has declined with adjuncts overall from 34.6% (9 of 26) with profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest to 21.1% (4 of 19) with retrograde cerebral perfusion and to 6.0% (3 of 50) with selective antegrade cerebral perfusion (p < 0.01), and for elective cases from 30.0% (6 of 20) with profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest to 14.3% (2 of 14) with retrograde cerebral perfusion, and 2.7% (1 of 37) with selective antegrade cerebral perfusion (p < 0.01). The corresponding stroke rates were 19.2% (5 of 26) with profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest, 5.3% (1 of 19) with retrograde cerebral perfusion, and 6.0% (3 of 50) with selective antegrade cerebral perfusion (p = 0.18) overall and 15.0% (3 of 20) with profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest, 7.1% (1 of 14) with retrograde cerebral perfusion, and 5.4% (2 of 37) with selective antegrade cerebral perfusion (p = 0.46) for elective cases. Currently, open aortic arch replacement can be accomplished under elective circumstances with low operative mortality, particularly with adjunctive measures for cerebral protection. The results of endovascular therapies should be measured against contemporary surgical series.

Hybrid procedures as a combined endovascular and open approach for pararenal and thoracoabdominal aortic pathologies

to report our experience with hybrid vascular procedures in patients with pararenal and thoracoabdominal aortic pathologies. 68 patients were treated for thoracoabdominal aortic pathologies between October 1999 and February 2004; 19 patients (16 men; mean age 68, range 40-79) with high risk for open thoracoabdominal repair were considered to be candidates for combined endovascular and open repair. Aortic pathologies included five thoracoabdominal Crawford I aneurysms, one postdissection expanding aneurysm, three symptomatic plaque ruptures (Crawford IV), five combined thoracic descending and infrarenal aneurysms with a healthy visceral segment, three juxtarenal or para-anastomotic aneurysms, and two patients with simultaneous open aortic arch replacement and a rendezvous maneuver for thoracic endografting. Commercially available endografts were implanted with standardized endovascular techniques after revascularization of visceral and renal arteries. Technical success was 95%. One patient developed a proximal type I endoleak after chronic expanding type B dissection and currently is waiting conversion. Nine patients underwent elective, five emergency and five urgent (within 24 h) repair. 17 operations were performed simultaneously, and 2 as a staged procedure. Postoperative complications include two retroperitoneal hemorrhages, and one patient required long-term ventilation with preexisting subglottic tracheal stenosis. Thirty-day mortality was 17% (one multiple organ failure, one secondary rupture after open aortic arch repair, one myocardial infarction). Paraplegia or acute renal failure were not observed. Total survival rate was to 83% with a mean follow-up of 30 months. Midterm results of combined endovascular and open procedures in the thoracoabdominal aorta are encouraging in selected high risk patients. Staged interventions may reduce morbidity.