Supra-aortic Branch Vessels Research Articles

Aortic remodelling based on false lumen communications in patients undergoing acute type I dissection repair with AMDS hybrid prosthesis: a substudy of the DARTS trial.

The Dissected Aorta Repair Through Stent (DARTS) Implantation trial demonstrated positive proximal aortic remodelling following aortic dissection repair with the AMDS hybrid prosthesis. In this study, we look to identify predictors of aortic remodelling following aortic dissection repair with AMDS including whether communications between branch vessels and the false lumen (FL) predict aortic growth. The DARTS implantation trial included patients who underwent acute DeBakey type I aortic dissection (ATAD I) repair with the AMDS from March 2017 to January 2019. Anatomic measurements were collected from original computerized tomography scans. Measurements were taken at zones 2, 3, 6 and 9. Patients were grouped based on the number of FL communications with the supra-aortic branch vessels or visceral branch vessels. Forty-seven patients were included in the original DARTS implantation trial. Patients with FL communications with the supra-aortic branch vessels tended to have significant growth at zone 3 (P = 0.02-0.0018), while greater numbers of visceral FL communications tended to predict aortic growth at zones 3 (P = 0.003), 6 (P = 0.017-0.0087) and 9 (P = 0.0016-0.0003). Aortic remodelling following ATAD I repair using the AMDS may be predicted by local FL communications with branch vessels. Patients undergoing ATAD I repair were more likely to experience significant aortic growth in zone 3 with more head vessel communications and in zones 3, 6 and 9 with more visceral FL communications. Predictors of aortic remodelling may help to guide initial surgical management for aortic dissection patients.

Extra-anatomic revascularization and a new cannulation strategy for preoperative cerebral malperfusion due to severe stenosis or occlusion of supra-aortic branch vessels in acute type A aortic dissection

ObjectivesAcute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) with severe stenosis or occlusion of the true lumen of aortic arch branch vessels often leads to an increased incidence of severe postsurgical neurological complications and mortality rate. In this study, we aimed to introduce our institutional extra-anatomic revascularization and cannulation strategy with improved postoperative outcomes for better management of patients with cerebral malperfusion in the setting of ATAAD. MethodsTwenty-eight patients with ATAAD complicated by severe stenosis or occlusion of the aortic arch branch vessels, as noted on combined computed tomography angiography of the aorta and craniocervical artery, between January 2021 and June 2022 were included in this study. Basic patient characteristics, surgical procedures, hospitalization stays, and early follow-up results were analyzed. ResultsThe median follow-up duration was 16.5 months (interquartile range: 11.5–20.5), with a 100% completion rate. The 30-day mortality rates was 7.1% (2/28 patients); two patients had multiple cerebral infarctions on preoperative computed tomography and persistent coma. Postoperative transient neurological dysfunction occurred in 10.7% (3/28) of the patients, and no new permanent neurological dysfunction occurred. Of all the patients, 3.6% (1/28) had novel acute renal failure. No other deaths, secondary surgeries, or serious complications occurred during the early follow-up period. ConclusionsUse of extra-anatomic revascularization and a new cannulation strategy before cardiopulmonary bypass is safe and feasible and may reduce the high incidence of postoperative neurological complications in patients with ATAAD and cerebral malperfusion.

A Slice in the Right Direction – Novel use of Directional Atherectomy for Treatment of Upper Limb Vascular Insufficiency and Concurrent Diagnosis

Large-vessel vasculitides are well-recognized entities, affecting the aorta, supra-aortic branch vessels, cranial vessels, and less commonly, peripheral arteries. Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is one of the most frequent large-vessel vasculitides affecting elderly patients. Despite diagnostic criteria, the mainstay of definitive diagnosis has been temporal artery biopsies. More recently, adjuvant ultrasound has been used to identify skip lesions before the biopsy. Downstream ischemia affecting branch vessels has traditionally been managed by open revascularization due to patient age and risk of disease recurrence. Experience with endovascular strategies for the management of acute or chronic vasculitides has been steadily increasing. We present an unusual case of acute giant cell vasculitis, diagnosed and treated with the use of an endovascular atherectomy device. The patient was a 74-year-old woman, with prior history of polymyalgia rheumatica, long-standing immunosuppression, and new onset of significant left arm claudication and rest pain. She underwent treatment for a high-grade left axillary artery lesion with directional atherectomy and drug-coated angioplasty. She had a good angiographic result. The intraoperative atherectomy specimen revealed the presence of acute GCA which prompted treatment with an acute vasculitis regimen. She had good patency of the treated segment at 3-month follow-up with complete resolution of her symptoms.

Strategies to improve outcomes for acute type A aortic dissection with cerebral malperfusion.

We aimed to identify predictors of postoperative permanent neurological deficits (PNDs) and evaluate the early management of cerebral perfusion in patients undergoing surgical repair of acute type A aortic dissection with cerebral malperfusion. Between October 2009 and September 2018, a total of 197 patients with acute type A aortic dissection underwent aortic replacement. Of these, 42 (21.3%) patients had an imaging cerebral malperfusion (ICM). ICM was assessed preoperatively, which also revealed whether dissected supra-aortic branch vessels were occluded or narrowed by a thrombosed false lumen. After September 2017, early reperfusion and extra-anatomic revascularization were performed in cases with ICM. Hospital mortality rates for cases with ICM were 4.8% (2/42). Before September 2017, PND were observed in 6 patients (54.5%) with preoperative neurological symptoms (n = 11), and 7 patients (33.3%) without neurological symptoms (n = 21) in patients with ICM. Occlusion or severe stenosis of supra-aortic branch vessels (odds ratio, 7.66; P < 0.001), regardless of preoperative clinical neurological symptoms, was a risk factor for PND. After September 2017, 7 of 10 patients with ICM underwent early reperfusion and extra-anatomic revascularization. PND did not occur in any of these 7 patients. Occlusion or severe stenosis of supra-aortic branch vessels is a predictor of PND risk in patients undergoing surgery for acute type A aortic dissection. Early reperfusion and extra-anatomic revascularization may reduce the risk of neurological complications in patients with ICM, with or without neurological symptoms.

Aortic Arch Anatomy Pattern in Patients Treated Using Double Homemade Fenestrated Stent-Grafts for Total Endovascular Aortic Arch Repair

Purpose: To analyze the structural variation of the aortic arch and the supra-aortic arteries and establish an average spatial configuration that would be a pattern for a “universal double fenestration” design for physician-modified endovascular grafts (PMEGs) used in total thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). Materials and Methods: Aortic arch morphology was retrospectively analyzed by reviewing the preoperative thoracic computed tomography angiography scans in 33 consecutive patients (mean age 68 years; 27 men) treated between January 2017 and March 2019 using double-fenestrated PMEGs for zone 0 TEVAR. Image analysis was completed according to a standardized technique on a vascular workstation with center lumen line reconstruction for all measurements. Variations in branching pattern of the aortic arch were classified into 8 types. Results: The arch trunk configuration was type I in 26 patients (79%), type II in 5 (15%), type III in 1, and type IV in 1. Mean aortic diameters at the level of mid ascending aorta, innominate artery (IA), left common carotid artery (LCCA), and left subclavian artery (LSA) were 35.7±3.7, 34.2±4.5, 33.3±6.7, and 33.7±4.7 mm, respectively. Mean diameters of the trunk were 12.2±1.7, 7.5±1.4, and 8.0±0.8 mm, respectively. Mean longitudinal center to center lengths were 15.9±2.5 mm between the LSA and LCCA and 12.1±3.0 mm between the LCCA and IA. Mean clock positions using the LSA as reference were 12:50 for the IA and 12:05 for the LCCA. In 32 patients (97%) all the supra-aortic branch vessels fit perfectly inside two delimited areas defined by a proximal common square area of 30×30 mm for the IA and LCCA and a second distal 8-mm-diameter circle for the LSA. Conclusion: Variations of the aortic arch anatomy are numerous and common. A general morphological pattern is described that delimits the aortic area where these variations occur. This information can be utilized for the design of an off-the-shelf double-fenestrated stent-graft for zone 0 TEVAR.

OC51 NEW TECHNIQUE IN TYPE I ACUTE AORTIC DISSECTION FOR ARCH STABILIZATION AND FUTURE LANDING ZONE CREATION WITHOUT ARCH REPLACEMENT: THE SALERNO CANOE TECHNIQUE

Background and Aim: We present a simplified elephant trunk procedure to treat type I acute aortic dissections. This technique transfers the anastomotic site of a modified elephant trunk prosthesis from zone 3 to zone 0 (before anonymous trunk). Methods: From November 2015 to April 2018, 38 patients underwent an ascending aorta replacement for type I acute aortic dissection. In order to stabilize the arch and prepare a future landing zone, after the reconstruction of proximal and distal dissected aortic walls using inside and outside felt strips, we introduce into the aortic arch a Dacron prosthesis resected to create a “fenestration” under the supra-aortic branch vessels. The distal part of this prosthesis is left free floating into the descending aorta. The concave arch was also anchored to the prosthesis and through a catheter placed distally into the tube graft we perfused the thoracic aorta. Having the prosthesis a final shape of a canoe, we named the procedure “the Salerno Canoe Technique”. Results: Five patients died (13.2%). We observed a 5% reduction compared to our previous mortality. In one patient severe abdominal hypoperfusion due to secondary hypertensive false lumen was successful treated by an endovascular thoracic prosthesis landed proximally into the “canoe prosthesis”. Conclusions: Compared to conventional elephant trunk technique this procedure is simpler and less circulatory arrest time-consuming (only mean 12 min increase respect to ascending aorta replacement alone). It allows an extensive arch stabilization, a safe perfusion of the descending thoracic aorta and a landing zone for future endovascular procedures.

Geometric Deformations of the Thoracic Aorta and Supra-Aortic Arch Branch Vessels Following Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair.

To utilize 3-D modeling techniques to better characterize geometric deformations of the supra-aortic arch branch vessels and descending thoracic aorta after thoracic endovascular aortic repair. Eighteen patients underwent endovascular repair of either type B aortic dissection (n = 10) or thoracic aortic aneurysm (n = 8). Computed tomography angiography was obtained pre- and postprocedure, and 3-D geometric models of the aorta and supra-aortic branch vessels were constructed. Branch angle of the supra-aortic branch vessels and curvature metrics of the ascending aorta, aortic arch, and stented thoracic aortic lumen were calculated both at pre- and postintervention. The left common carotid artery branch angle was lower than the left subclavian artery angles preintervention ( P < .005) and lower than both the left subclavian and brachiocephalic branch angles postintervention ( P < .05). From pre- to postoperative, no significant change in branch angle was found in any of the great vessels. Maximum curvature change of the stented lumen from pre- to postprocedure was greater than those of the ascending aorta and aortic arch ( P < .05). Thoracic endovascular aortic repair results in relative straightening of the stented aortic region and also accentuates the native curvature of the ascending aorta when the endograft has a more proximal landing zone. Supra-aortic branch vessel angulation remains relatively static when proximal landing zones are distal to the left common carotid artery.

Management of cerebral malperfusion in surgical repair of acute type A aortic dissection.

Cerebral malperfusion for patients with acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) remains an unsolved problem. The present study aimed to evaluate our management of cerebral perfusion and identify predictors of perioperative cerebral malperfusion in patients undergoing surgical repair of AAAD. Between January 2004 and December 2015, 137 consecutive patients with AAAD underwent aortic replacement at Tsuchiya General Hospital. The status of the dissected supra-aortic branch vessels (SABVs) was classified as patent or thrombosis by preoperative computed tomographic angiography. Intraoperative cerebral perfusion was monitored by transcutaneous carotid echo and regional oxygen saturation. In cases with neurological symptoms or cerebral malperfusion, quick cerebral perfusion was immediately started using a quick cutdown technique. We assessed clinical outcomes, including mortality and complications, and analysed predictors of early mortality and cerebral malperfusion. The early mortality rate was 8.0%. Postoperative cerebral injury was observed in 4 patients (2.9%). Nineteen patients had perioperative cerebral malperfusion. There were no postoperative cerebral injuries in the patients in whom intraoperative cerebral malperfusion was corrected. Multivariable analysis revealed that preoperative shock (odds ratio [OR] 22.60, P < 0.0001) and extension of dissection to the abdominal aorta (OR 9.31, P = 0.0064) were significant risk factors for early mortality. Preoperative neurological symptoms (OR 12.40, P = 0.0006) and partial or complete thrombosis of the SABV (OR 64.10, P < 0.0001) were identified as independent predictors of perioperative cerebral malperfusion. Perioperative cerebral perfusion should be carefully managed, especially in the patients with preoperative neurological symptoms or partial or complete thrombosis of the SABV.

Frozen Elephant Trunk Technique: Early Clinical Experience with Bridge-Stenting of the Anastomoses to the Supraaortic Branch Vessels

Frozen Elephant Trunk Technique: Early Clinical Experience with Bridge-Stenting of the Anastomoses to the Supraaortic Branch Vessels

Outcomes for supra-aortic branch vessel stenting in the treatment of thoracic aortic disease

Endovascular options for the treatment of proximal thoracic and arch disease have evolved over the years. Inthis manuscript, we review the midterm results of fenestrated compared with chimney configurations for proximal aortic aneurysm disease. We performed an analysis of all patients with chimney grafts or custom fenestrated endografts used for treatment of proximal thoracic aneurysm disease (involving the supra-aortic trunk vessels) presenting to our institution between 2004 and 2013. Patients were identified by retrospective chart review and through the prospective database (National Institutes of Health study number NCT00583050). Details of devices placed, intraoperative details, and measurements from postoperative imaging were included in the analysis. The primary outcomes of interest were long-term freedom from branch stent complications and freedom from proximal endoleak, but we also included perioperative events, in-hospital mortality, and requirement for secondary interventions in our review. The log-rank test (Mantel-Cox) was used to compare survival data. Student t-test (two tailed) and Fisher exact test (two tailed) were used for continuous and categorical data, respectively. Of 767 patients who underwent thoracic endovascular repair from January 2004 to February 2013, 33 satisfied the inclusion criteria (4%): 18 of 33 noncustom and 15 of 33 custom graft designs. Overall, the rate of technical success was 97%. There were four branch stent-related problems in the follow-up period, one of 15 (7%) in the custom group and three of 18 (17%) in the noncustom group. There were three proximal sealing failures in the immediate postoperative and follow-up period, one of 15 (7%) in the custom group and two of 18 (11%) in the noncustom group. Overall, 10 patients underwent secondary procedures, four of 15 (27%) in the custom group and six of 18 (33%) in the noncustom group. Although they are technically feasible, both custom fenestrated endografts and chimney repairs for proximal thoracic disease involving the supra-aortic trunk vessels suffer from failures in intermediate follow-up, with a trend toward better long-term outcomes for custom devices. More work is needed to develop durable devices for this anatomic territory in the future.

Hybrid repair of aortic arch dissections

Hybrid interventions combining debranching of supra-aortic branch vessels with stent grafting of the aortic arch have become an attractive alternative to open repair for aortic arch pathologies. However, results in patients with dissections of the aortic arch remain unclear. We present our experience with hybrid aortic arch repair for acute and chronic type B aortic dissections (TBAD) involving the distal part of the arch and aortic dissections distal to previous repair of the ascending aorta. Between January 2004 and December 2011, hybrid arch repair with supra-aortic branch revascularization involving at least one carotid artery bypass and simultaneous or staged thoracic endovascular aortic repair was performed in 17 patients with a dissection involving the arch. Indications for hybrid repair were complicated acute TBAD in five patients (three impending ruptures, two malperfusion syndromes), chronic aneurysmal degeneration of a TBAD involving the aortic arch in eight, and chronic aneurysmal degeneration of a dissection distal to previous repair of the ascending aorta in four. Total arch debranching was performed in seven patients and cervical debranching in 10. Median follow-up was 13 months (range, 3-69 months). Overall 30-day mortality and in-hospital mortality rates were 29% (5 of 17 patients). In-hospital death occurred in three of five patients (60%) with a complicated acute TBAD vs in two of 12 patients (17%) with chronic dissection (P=.12) and in one of seven (14%) with total arch debranching vs four of 10 patients (40%) with cervical debranching (P= .34). Two (12%) fatal strokes and four (24%) retrograde aortic dissections occurred. Retrograde aortic dissections tended to be more prevalent in patients with acute TBAD than in those with chronic dissection (3 of 5 vs 1 of 12; P= .053). No spinal cord ischemia was recorded. Two other patients died, at 8 and 26 months, after the operation of causes not related to the aortic dissection. Persistent perfusion in the aortic false lumen of the graft exclusion segment was identified in six patients, due to type III endoleak (n= 2) requiring additional endovascular intervention, type II endoleak (n= 3), or retrograde perfusion from distal fenestrations (n= 2). No proximal type I endoleak was identified. During follow-up, the dissected aorta distal to the stent graft remained stable in all surviving patients. In this series, mortality rates and incidence of retrograde aortic dissection were significant after hybrid repair of aortic arch dissections, especially in acute cases. These results are in contrast with previously published series including other aortic arch pathologies. They suggest that dissections of the aortic arch may represent a less favorable patient cohort.

Endovascular Stent Graft Repair of Aortic Dissection Type B Extending to the Aortic Arch

Objective To analyse our experience with endovascular stent graft repair of descending aorta dissections that require supraaortic branch vessel revascularisation. Design Retrospective study. Methods From 2001 to 2009, 22 consecutive patients with the above dissections were retrospectively analysed. Inclusion requirement: aortic landing zone proximal to the left subclavian artery of less than 15 mm. Hybrid, scalloped or fenestrated endovascular stent grafts were selected based on dissection characteristics. Annual follow-up visits (median 27.1 months) included computed tomography angiography. End points include progressive pathology, complications and survival rates. Results Surgery was successful in all except for one operative complication. Two patients died within 30 days after surgery, one to cerebral infarction and the other to myocardial infarction. No postoperative complications occurred in the remaining patients. Thrombosis formed in the aortic false lumen of the graft exclusion segment in all patients. The maximum diameter of this segment decreased in 18 patients and was stable in two. In 19 patients, blood flow remained in the false lumen distal to the exclusion area not covered by stent. Patency was seen at mid- and long-term follow-up, without proximal endoleak, graft displacement or deaths. Conclusion Endovascular stent graft methods show promise in endovascular stent graft repair of proximal descending aortic dissections involving the distal arch.