Tratamiento endovascular con técnica de chimenea para patologías del arco aórtico / Endovascular management with chimney technique for pathologies ofthe aortic arch

Introducción. La patología del arco aórtico se ha tratado principalmente con cirugía por vía abierta, pero con una alta morbimortalidad. Las técnicas endovasculares híbridas y las reconstrucciones en "chimenea" son una técnica válida y segura para disminuir el riesgo y la mortalidad. Métodos. Se presentan dos pacientes con patología del arco aórtico y contraindicación de manejo quirúrgico abierto, atendidos en el Servicio de Cirugía Vascular, Hospital Universitario Clínica de San Rafael, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia. Resultados. Se realizaron dos procedimientos endovasculares del arco aórtico para tratar un aneurisma torácico roto y una úlcera aórtica sintomática, con cubrimiento de los troncos supra aórticos con una endoprótesis y canalización de los vasos supra aórticos con prótesis cubiertas y uso de la "técnica de chimenea", de manera exitosa. Discusión. La patología del arco aórtico es de alta complejidad y se asocia con una morbimortalidad elevada por lo que, en los últimos 20 años se han desarrollado diferentes técnicas utilizando procedimientos percutáneos. Conclusión. La "técnica de chimenea" se puede realizar de una manera mínimamente invasiva en pacientes con patología del arco aórtico, no candidatos para cirugía abierta, con resultados exitosos.

Introduction. Aortic arch pathology has been treated mainly by open surgery, but with high morbidity and mortality. Hybrid endovascular techniques and "chimney" reconstructions are a valid and safe techniques to reduce risk and mortality. Method. Two patients with pathology of the aortic arch and contraindication for open surgical management, treated at the Vascular Surgery Service, Hospital Universitario Clínica de San Rafael, Bogotá, Colombia, are presented. Results. Two endovascular aortic procedures were performed successfully to treat a ruptured thoracic aneurysm and a symptomatic aortic ulcer, with coverage of the supra-aortic trunks with an endoprosthesis and cannulation of the supra-aortic vessels with covered prostheses and use of the "chimney technique". Discussion. The pathology of the aortic arch is highly complex and is associated with high morbidity and mortality, being the reason that during the last 20 years, different techniques have been developed using percutaneous procedures. Conclusions. The "chimney technique" can be performed with successful results in a minimally invasive manner in patients with pathology of the aortic arch, who are not candidates for open surgery

Disección Aórtica Tipo A como diagnóstico diferencial potencialmente letal de dolor torácico: revisión de casos / Type A Aortic Dissection as a potentially lethal differential diagnosis of chest pain: case Review

Chest pain (CP) is a frequent reason for consultation in emergency departments (ED). It responds to a broad spectrum of pathologies, ranging from banal causes to severe conditions with high mortality. The clinician must be able to distinguish prompt when CP is due to severe pathology and thus make a timely intervention for the patient's benefit. Acute Aortic Syndrome (AAS) is one of the potentially fatal causes of CP. Within this syndrome, we find aortic dissection (AD), intramural hematoma and atherosclerotic penetrating ulcer. AD is the most frequent presentation of AAS. Although it is not a common condition, its high lethality and low suspicion make it of particular interest as a differential diagnosis of CP. The following are two clinical cases of AD of the ascending aortic treated at the Hospital Regional de Talca (HRT) to analyse the clinical characteristics that help to differentiate this condition, the main electrocardiographic and imaging findings, as well as some of its complications and management.

Diagnóstico y manejo del síndrome aórtico agudo / Diagnostic and management of acute aortic syndrom

El síndrome aórtico agudo incluye un grupo de patologías graves de la aorta, con una mortalidad hasta del 90% en los primeros 40 días tras el inicio de los síntomas. Según la localización de la lesión el tratamiento puede ser médico o quirúrgico, el cual ha demostrado mejorar el pronóstico de estos pacientes tanto a corto como a largo plazo. El diagnóstico oportuno es esencial para incrementar la supervivencia y disminuir la tasa de complicaciones relacionadas; no obstante, debido a la baja incidencia y presentación clínica en ocasiones inespecífica, l diagnóstico puede retrasarse u obviarse, ocasionando consecuencias catastróficas para los pacientes. Este artículo se centrará en el abordaje diagnóstico del síndrome aórtico agudo tipo A, además de ofrecer una breve revisión respecto al tratamiento médico y quirúrgico de estas patologías.

Acute aortic syndrome includes a group of serious aortic pathologies, with a mortality rate of up to 90% in the first 40 days after the onset of symptoms. Depending on the location of the lesion, the treatment will be medical or surgical which has been shown to improve the prognosis of these patients both in the short- and long-term. Timey diagnosis is essential to increase survival and decrease the rate of related complications; however, due to the low incidence and sometimes non-specific clinical picture, the diagnosis can be delayed or missed, leading to catastrophic consequences for the patients. This article will focus on the diagnostic approach of type A acute aortic syndrome, in addition to offering a brief review regarding the medical and surgical treatment of these pathologies.

Endovascular treatment of coarctation of the aorta with a self-expanding endoprosthesis: how i do it using the braile dominus ® coarctation aorta device

Abstract The coarctation of the aorta is a relatively highly prevalent congenital heart disease and may be diagnosed as an underline cause of hypertension in adolescents and adults. The gold standard treatment for coarctation of the aorta in these patients is being replaced - from open surgery to endovascular therapy. Some prostheses have been developed to treat the coarctation with less acute and chronic complications. The Dominus® Coarctation Aorta (Braile Biomédica) is the first self-expandable prosthesis created specifically to treat coarctation of the aorta, reducing possible acute complications, like aortic rupture or aortic dissection. Here, we discuss the step-by-step method for using this prosthesis.

Iatrogenic Acute Aortic Dissection in the Era of Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery - Experience of a Center and Review of Literature

Abstract Introduction: Iatrogenic acute aortic dissection (IAAD) type A is a rare but potentially fatal complication of cardiac surgery. Methods: The purpose of this article is to review the literature since the first reports of IAAD in 1978, examining its clinical characteristics and describing operative details and surgical outcomes. Moreover, we reviewed the recent literature to identify current trends and risk factors for IAAD in minimally invasive cardiac surgery procedures, often related to femoral artery cannulation for retrograde perfusion. Results: We found that IAAD ranges from 0.04 to 0.29% of cardiac patients in overall trials and ranged from 0.12 to 0.16% between 1978-1990, before the minimally invasive surgical era. And we concluded that since the first cases to the recent reports, the incidence of IAAD has not significantly changed. As minimally invasive procedures are on the rise, some authors think that the incidence of IAAD could increase in the future; we think that using all the precaution - such a strict monitoring of perfusion pressure throughout the intervention, avoiding extremely high jet pressures using vasodilators, repositioning of arterial cannula, or splitting perfusion in both femoral arteries -, this complication can be extremely reduced. Finally, we describe a very singular case occurring during mitral valve replacement followed by spontaneous dissection of left anterior descending artery one month later. Conclusion: The present article adds to the literature a more detailed clinical picture of this entity, including patients' characteristics, the mechanism, timing, and localization of the tear, and mortality details.

Cefalea en la disección aórtica, a propósito de un caso clínico / Headache as a symptom in aortic dissection: about a clinical case / Cefaleia em dissecção de aorta, tema de caso clínico

Se describe el caso de un paciente de 70 años que consultó por cefalea súbita, tipo trueno, sin alteración del estado de consciencia, acompañada de dolor torácico de una hora de evolución y de baja intensidad. A su ingreso fue enfocado como cefalea en trueno, que es clasificada, en cuanto a la atención, como bandera roja. La medición de troponina fue negativa y una tomografía de cráneo fue leída como normal. Desde el ingreso presentaba signos vitales normales, cuando iba a ser dado de alta se torna hipotenso (completamente asintomático) y por su síntoma cardinal (cefalea), que se asoció a dolor torácico leve y no anginoso, se solicitó angiotomografía toracoabdominal, con la que se demostró aneurisma disecante de la aorta. Con la presentación de este caso, se busca resaltar la importancia en el servicio de urgencias de la asociación de la cefalea tipo trueno, con condiciones vasculares como la disección aórtica.

We describe the case of a 70-year-old patient, who seeks medical advice due to sudden, thunder headache, without alteration of the state of consciousness, accompanied by chest pain of 1 hour of evolution and of low intensity. Upon his admission, the patient was treated as a thunderclap headache, which is considered a red flag. His troponin was negative, and his head tomography was interpreted as normal. From admission he had normal vital signs, but when he was going to be discharged, he became hypotensive (completely asymptomatic) and due to his cardinal symptom (headache) that was asso-ciated with mild non-anginal chest pain, a thoracoabdominal angioCT was requested, with which dissecting aneurysm of the aorta was evidenced. With the presentation of this case, we seek to highlight the importance of the association of thunder-type headache with possible vascular conditions such as aortic dissection in the emergency department.

Descrevemos o caso de uma paciente de 70 anos que consultou por quadro de cefaleia súbita, tipo trovão, sem alteração do estado de consciência, acompanhada de dor torácica de uma hora de evolução e de baixa intensidade. Na admissão, foi tratado como cefaleia em trovoada, que é classificada, em termos de atenção, como bandeira vermelha. A me-dição da troponina foi negativa e uma tomografia de crânio foi lida como normal. Desde a admissão apresentava sinais vitais normais, quando ia receber alta ficou hipotenso (totalmente assintomático) e devido ao seu sintoma cardinal (cefaleia), que se associou a dores torácicas ligeiras e não anginosas, foi solicitada angiografia toracoabdominal, com cujo aneurisma dissecante da aorta foi demonstrado. Com a apresentação deste caso, o objetivo é destacar a importância no pronto-socorro da associação da cefaleia do tipo trovão com afecções vasculares como a dissecção da aorta.

Associations of high-mobility group box 1 and receptor for advanced glycation end products with acute lung injury in patient with acute aortic dissection

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations of high-mobility group box 1 and its specific receptor, receptor for advanced glycation end products with acute lung injury in patients with acute aortic dissection. METHODS: A total of 96 acute aortic dissection patients were divided into acute aortic dissection with acute lung injury group (38 cases) and acute aortic dissection without acute lung injury group (58 cases), according to partial pressure of oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen. In addition, 44 healthy individuals were selected for the control group. The blood samples were taken. The serum high-mobility group box 1 and receptor for advanced glycation end products levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the partial pressure of oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen was measured. RESULTS: 24 h after admission, the high-mobility group box 1 and receptor for advanced glycation end products levels in acute aortic dissection with acute lung injury and acute aortic dissection without acute lung injury groups were significantly higher than those in the control group, respectively (p<0.05), and each index in acute aortic dissection with acute lung injury group was significantly higher than that in acute aortic dissection without acute lung injury group (p<0.05). At each time point within 96 h after admission, compared with acute aortic dissection without acute lung injury group, in acute aortic dissection with acute lung injury group, the high-mobility group box 1 and receptor for advanced glycation end products levels were increased, respectively, and the partial pressure of oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen was decreased. The correlation analysis showed that, in acute aortic dissection patients, the high-mobility group box 1 and receptor for advanced glycation end products levels were negatively correlated with partial pressure of oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen, respectively (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The serum high-mobility group box 1 and receptor for advanced glycation end products levels may be associated with the occurrence of acute lung injury in acute aortic dissection patients. Monitoring the high-mobility group box 1 and receptor for advanced glycation end products levels can evaluate the risk of acute aortic dissection with acute lung injury.

Caracterización clínica e imagenológica de una serie de pacientes con disección de arterias cervicales e intracraneales / Cervicocranial arterial dissection: experience in 57 patients

Background: Cervicocranial arterial dissection (CIAD) is an important cause of stroke. Aim: To describe the clinical and imaging characteristics of patients with CIAD. Material and Methods: An anonymous registry was made including all patients admitted to a private hospital with a diagnosis of CIAD. Patients were subdivided as having an anterior or posterior circulation dissection (ACD or PCD, respectively). Results: Fifty-seven patients aged 40 ± 8 years (60% women) were included in the study, 39 with PCD and 18 with ACD. Cervical pain was the most common symptom. CIAD was diagnosed with no clinical or imaging signs of stroke in 49% of patients. Fifty one percent of patients had focal neurological deficits and 72% had a NIH stroke score below five. No significant differences between patients with ACD or PCD were found. Fifty patients received antiplatelet therapy (simple or dual), seven patients were anticoagulated and 13 were subjected to stenting due to progression of stenosis with hemodynamic involvement or bilateral dissection with scarce collaterals. The lesion was located in V3 segment in 27 patients and cervical segment of the internal carotid in 16 cases. A favorable Modified Rankin Scale (0-2) was achieved in 85.9%, with a trend towards achieving better functional prognosis in PCD. Conclusions: Due to the greater availability of non-invasive imaging methods, 50% of these patients with CIAD did not have a stroke. Thus, an earlier and more timely management is feasible.

The Aortic Pathologies: How Far We Understand It and Its Implications on Thoracic Aortic Surgery

Abstract Thoracic aortic diseases contribute to a major part of cardiac surgeries. The severity of pathologies varies significantly from emergency and life-threatening to conservatively managed conditions. Life-threatening conditions include type A aortic dissection and rupture. Aortic aneurysm is an example of a conservatively managed condition. Pathologies that affect the arterial wall can have a profound impact on the presentation of such cases. Several risk factors have been identified that increase the risk of emergency presentations such as connective tissue disease, hypertension, and vasculitis. The understanding of aortic pathologies is essential to improve management and clinical outcomes.

Beyond Atherothrombotic Disease in Acute Coronary Syndrome

Abstract Half of the global population over 20 years of age will be affected by cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular events in young people is challenging. Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a non-traumatic and non-iatrogenic separation of the coronary arterial wall and is an uncommon and underdiagnosed cause of acute myocardial infarction predominately found in young women. Medical management has been more widely accepted, with percutaneous and surgery treatment reserved for precise indications. Optimal control of individual risk factors is essential in order to avoid recurrences.

Management of acute type A aortic dissection at a public cardiac center in the northeast region of Brazil

Abstract Introduction: Aortic diseases are among the most serious cardiovascular diseases; the overall mortality rate due to diseases such as aneurysms and aortic dissections has been estimated at 2.78 per 100,000 persons in 2010, with a higher mortality rate in men than women. Our objective was to evaluate the epidemiological profile of patients with acute type A aortic dissection at a cardiology referral center. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed at a public cardiac center with 24 patients hospitalized from 1/1/2016 to 12/31/2017 with a confirmed diagnosis of acute type A aortic dissection. Results: Twenty (83.3%) out of 24 patients underwent surgery and four (16.7%) did not undergo surgery. Among those who underwent surgery, 10 (50%) died and 10 (50%) were discharged, and all non-operated patients died (P=0.114) (Fisher's exact test). The male gender predominated (n=19, 79.2%), 86.7% (n=13) of the patients presented body mass index > 25 kg/m2, chest pain was found in 91.7% (n=22), and renal failure was present in 45.8% (n=11) of the cases. Hypertension predominated in 91.7% (n=22) and the main exam was aortic angiotomography in 79.2% (n=19) of the cases. Conclusion: The study presented a small sample size, making it impossible to associate the factors, although the service was considered a high-volume referral center. It is possible that the delay in arriving at the service and the accomplishment of invasive imaging with the use of contrast agents have aggravated the patients' condition and have been decisive for the increase in lethality, which requires further studies.

Early and late-term follow-up results of patients diagnosed with aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection with aortic regurgitation undergoing aortic valve repair or valve-sparing aortic surgery

Abstract Introduction: Valve-reimplantation and remodelling techniques used in aortic reconstruction provide successful early, mid, and long-term results. We present our early and late-term experience with 110 patients with aortic regurgitation (AR) who underwent aortic valve repair (AVr) or valve-sparing aortic root surgeries (VSARS) due to aortic dissection or aortic aneurysm. Methods: Nine hundred eighty-two patients who underwent aneurysm or dissection surgery and aortic valve surgery between April 1997 and January 2017 were analysed using the patient database. A total of 110 patients with AR who underwent AVr or VSARS due to aortic dissection or aortic aneurysm were included in the study. Results: In the postoperative period, a decrease was observed in AR compared to the preoperative period (P<0.001); there was an increase in postoperative ejection fraction (EF) compared to the preoperative values (P<0.005) and a significant decrease in postoperative left ventricle diameters compared to the preoperative values (P<0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed one, two, four, and five-year freedom from moderate-severe AR as 95%, 91%, 87%, and 70%, respectively. Freedom from reoperation in one, two, and five years were 97.9%, 93.6%, and 81%, respectively. Eight patients (7.4%) underwent AVr during follow-up. Out of the remaining 100 patients, 13 (12%) had minimum AR, 52 (48%) had 1st-2nd degree AR, and 35 (32%) had 2nd-3rd degree AR during follow-up. Conclusion: For the purpose of maintaining the native valve tissue, preserving the EF and the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, valve-sparing surgeries should be preferred for appropriate patients.

Implantación endovascular urgente de stent en disección aórtica aguda tipo III de DeBakey / Emergency endovascular stent graft implantation for acute traumatic DeBakey type III aortic dissection

RESUMEN El tratamiento de las enfermedades de la aorta torácica con la implantación percutánea de stent se viene realizando desde su aplicación, por primera vez, a principios del siglo XX. Se presenta un paciente de 79 años de edad que fue llevado a urgencias con intenso dolor de espalda posterior a un accidente automovilístico, a quien se le realizó tomografía computarizada y se le diagnosticó una disección aórtica tipo III de DeBakey. Se le implantó un stent endovascular autoexpandible de nitinol (Talent Stent Graft, Medtronic) en la aorta descendente, donde comenzaba el segmento disecado. Este procedimiento es un método eficaz para prevenir la isquemia de órganos y la ruptura vascular en las enfermedades traumáticas de la aorta. Es menos invasivo, tiene menos complicaciones que el tratamiento quirúrgico, y es efectivo para restituir el flujo sanguíneo de forma rápida y segura.

ABSTRACT The applications of thoracic aorta pathologies with a stent graft percutaneously have been performed for the first time since the beginning of the 20th century. Computed tomography was performed on a 79-year-old patient who was brought to the emergency room due to an in-vehicle traffic accident with severe back pain, and DeBakey type III aortic dissection was determined. An endovascular self-expanding nitinol stent (Talent Stent Graft, Medtronic) was implanted in the descending aorta where the dissected segment begins. Stent graft implantation is an effective method in preventing organ ischemia and rupture in traumatic aortic pathologies. This procedure is less invasive and has less complication than surgical approach. It is effective in providing blood flow quickly and safely.

Disección de la aorta abdominal a propósito de un caso / Abdominal aortic dissection apropos of a case

RESUMEN La disección de la aorta abdominal tiene una baja incidencia, se produce a partir de una laceración, desgarro o rotura intimal, con la consecuente separación longitudinal de las capas de la pared y la aparición de una falsa luz con flujo en su interior. Se presenta el caso de un hombre de 67 años de edad con antecedentes de hipertensión arterial, sin tratamiento regular, que acudió al cuerpo de guardia del Hospital Salvador Allende (La Habana, Cuba) por presentar dolor abdominal con irradiación a fosa ilíaca izquierda y espalda, de una semana de duración, que no aliviaba con los analgésicos habituales. Se le realizó ultrasonido abdominal y se encontró una dilatación aneurismática de la aorta abdominal, con signos de disección hacia la ilíaca derecha; por lo que se realizó angiotomografía que confirmó el diagnóstico. Se realizó baipás aorto-ilíaco con fenestración en aorta abdominal y anastomosis término-terminal en ambas arterias ilíacas.

ABSTRACT Abdominal aortic dissection has a low incidence. It may happen when a small tear or rupture occurs in the tunica intima, dividing the wall layers and forming a false channel, or lumen with blood flow inside. We present the case of a 67-year-old man with a history of high blood pressure, with no regular treatment, who sought care at the Hospital Salvador Allende (Havana, Cuba) as he presented with a week-long abdominal pain radiating to the left iliac fossa and back, which was not relieved by the usual analgesics. An abdominal ultrasound was performed which found an aneurysmal dilatation of the abdominal aorta, with signs of dissection towards the right iliac artery; therefore, computed tomography angiography (CTA) was performed and the diagnosis was confirmed. He underwent aorto-iliac bypass with abdominal-aortic-fenestration and end-to-end anastomosis in both iliac arteries.