The role of serum magnesium in the prediction of acute kidney injury after total aortic arch replacement: A prospective observational study.

Background: Considerable morbidity and death are associated with acute kidney damage (AKI) following total aortic arch replacement (TAAR). The relationship between AKI following TAAR and serum magnesium levels remains unknown. The intention of this research was to access the predictive value of serum magnesium levels on admission to the Cardiovascular Surgical Intensive Care Unit (CSICU) for AKI in patients receiving TAAR. Methods: From May 2018 to January 2020, a prospective, observational study was performed in the Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital CSICU. Patients accepting TAAR admitted to the CSICU were studied. The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) definition of serum creatinine was used to define AKI, and KDIGO stages two or three were used to characterize severe AKI. Multivariable logistic regression and area under the curve receiver-operator characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) analysis were conducted to assess the predictive capability of the serum magnesium for AKI detection. Finally, the prediction model for AKI was established and internally validated. Results: Of the 396 enrolled patients, AKI occurred in 315 (79.5%) patients, including 154 (38.8%) patients with severe AKI. Serum magnesium levels were independently related to the postoperative AKI and severe AKI (both, P < 0.001), and AUC-ROCs for predicting AKI and severe AKI were 0.707 and 0.695, respectively. Across increasing quartiles of serum magnesium, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of postoperative AKI were 1.00 (reference), 1.04 (0.50-2.82), 1.20 (0.56-2.56), and 6.19 (2.02-23.91) (P for Trend < 0.001). When serum magnesium was included to a baseline model with established risk factors, AUC-ROC (0.833 vs 0.808, P = 0.050), reclassification (P < 0.001), and discrimination (P = 0.002) were further improved. Conclusions: Serum magnesium levels on admission are an independent predictor of AKI. In TAAR patients, elevated serum magnesium levels were linked to an increased risk of AKI. In addition, the established risk factor model for AKI can be considerably improved by the addition of serum magnesium in TAAR patients hospitalized in the CSICU.

[The value of revascularisation of atherosclerotic lesions of the innominate artery at the asymptomatic stage of the disease]. / Znachenie revaskulyarizatsii pri ateroskleroticheskikh porazheniyakh brakhiotsefal'nogo stvola na asimptomnoi stadii zabolevaniya.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the natural course of asymptomatic atherosclerotic lesions of the innominate artery and to study the long-term results of surgical interventions performed at the asymptomatic stage and to compare them with similar results at the symptomatic stage of the disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The analysis of the natural course of the disease was performed in 74 asymptomatic patients who were divided into 3 groups depending on the initial degree of severity of the stenosis of the innominate artery: insignificant stenoses (less than 50%), moderate stenoses (50-69%) and haemodynamically significant lesions (70% and more). The analysis of the long-term results of surgical treatment was performed in 62 patients, in 29 of whom intrathoracic reconstructions were performed at the asymptomatic stage of the disease, in 33 - at the symptomatic stage. RESULTS: Cumulative freedom from stroke by the 10th year of follow-up was significantly higher in patients with insignificant stenoses and amounted to 100% in the groups of moderate stenoses and hemodynamically significant lesions - 25% and 0, respectively (log-rank p=0.000). Neurological fatality in patients with hemodynamically significant (initial or developed) lesions was 26.3%, while in patients with hemodynamically insignificant lesions it was 0 (log-rank p=0.004), which is confirmed by cumulative indices (log-rank p=0.008). Asymptomatic innominate artery reconstructions were associated with a lower incidence of stroke: the long-term incidence of stroke in such patients was 3.4%, while in initially symptomatic patients it was 18.2% (p=0.038). Initial degree II or IV cerebrovascular insufficiency was a predictor of stroke in the long-term period (OR=1.71; p=0.000). The cumulative freedom from stroke in asymptomatic patients by the 20th year of follow-up was 95% compared with 74% in symptomatic patients (log-rank p=0.032). CONCLUSION: Surgical interventions in asymptomatic hemodynamically significant lesions of the innominate artery should be performed to prevent primary cerebral circulatory disorders.

The frozen elephant trunk technique in acute aortic dissection: the ultimate solution? An institutional experience.

Objective: Acute aortic dissection remains a serious emergency in the field of cardiovascular medicine and a challenge for cardiothoracic surgeons. In the present study, we seek to compare the outcomes of different surgical techniques in the repair of type A acute aortic dissection. Methods: Between April 2015 and May 2023, 213 patients (82 women, aged: 63.9 ± 13.3 years) with acute aortic dissection (205 type A and 8 non-A-non-B dissections) underwent surgical treatment in our department. A total of 45 patients were treated with the frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique supported by the Thoraflex™ Hybrid prosthesis, 33 received total aortic arch replacement (TAR)-standard or conventional elephant trunk-treatment, and 135 were treated with hemiarch replacement (HR). Aortic arch surgery was performed in most patients under moderate hypothermic (28°C on average) circulatory arrest, with selective antegrade cerebral perfusion through the right axillary artery. Results: The rates of early mortality were 17.8% (38 perioperative deaths) in the whole population, 8.9% in the FET group of patients, and 33% and 17% in the TAR and HR group of patients, respectively (P-value 0.025). The rate of spinal cord injury was 2.3% (five patients), and a paresis of recurrent laryngeal occurred in 3.7% of patients (seven patients, four were treated with FET). Permanent neurological dysfunction occurred in 27 patients (12.7%). After a mean follow-up of 3 years, the rate of mid-term mortality of discharged patients was 19.4% (34 deaths: 7 FET, 4 TAR, and 23 HR) and the overall mortality rate was 33.8% [72 deaths: 11 FET (24.4%); 15 TAR (45.4%); 46 HR (34.1%)]. A total of 8 patients (17.8%) in whom FET was applied received additional endovascular treatment in the descending aorta. Conclusions: In our institutional experience, we found that the frozen elephant trunk technique with a high-end Thoraflex Hybrid prosthesis proved its surgical suitability in the treatment of acute aortic dissection with favorable outcomes. The FET technique and our perioperative management led to comparable neurological outcomes and reduced mortality rates in these emergency cases.

A Scoping Review of Definitions of Success in Endovascular Aortic Arch Repair.

INTRODUCTION: The present standard of care to treat aortic arch pathologies is open surgical repair with cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermic arrest. With approaches for total endovascular and extra-anatomic cervical debranching hybrid arch repair becoming more diverse, understanding what is considered a successful operation is prerequisite for a rigorous comparison of techniques. This review describes the specific outcomes reported, the rates of success, and the definitions of technical and clinical success in total endovascular and extra-anatomic cervical debranching hybrid aortic arch repair. METHODS: A comprehensive search of MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was performed. Studies with patients undergoing total endovascular or hybrid extra-anatomic cervical debranching repair of the aortic arch were included. Any publications including only patients with Ishimaru zone 2 or distal repairs were excluded from this review. Studies with less than 5 patients were excluded. Data extraction was performed by one author. Data items included were study design, procedure type, procedural details, underlying pathology, type of cervical debranching, type of endograft repair, surgical outcomes, definition of cerebrovascular events, technical success, and the definition of technical success. RESULTS: Of 1754 studies screened for review, 85 studies with 5521 patients were included. By frequency, the included studies examined the following interventions: fenestrated devices, branched devices, parallel grafting. Most studies were retrospective single-institution studies. There were no randomized controlled trials. Short-term mortality and cerebrovascular events were nearly universally reported, present in 99% and 95% of studies reviewed, respectively. Only 27% of studies provided an explicit definition for cerebrovascular events. While 75% of studies reported a technical success rate, only 45% of those studies provided explicit criteria. Clinical success rates were infrequently reported, present in only 5.9% of studies reviewed. CONCLUSION: The definitions of technical success that were provided fell short of analogous defined reporting standards in nearly all studies, inflating technical success rates. Definitions of cerebrovascular events and technical success require stringent criteria to uniformly compare various methods of endovascular aortic arch repair. A societal consensus document for reporting standards of endovascular aortic arch repair would allow for higher-quality outcomes research. CLINICAL IMPACT: Total endovascular and extra-anatomic cervical debranching hybrid operations are being increasingly utilized for complex aortic arch repair. These techniques, however, can be associated with serious complications. Currently, there is no accepted metric to define technical or report clinical outcomes. Due to the paucity of high-quality data, use of these approaches may be limited in clinical practice. This study emphasizes the need for the development of standards for reporting outcomes in endovascular aortic arch repair. Future studies can then utilize these benchmarks, whcih will allow for improved efficacy and safety in these techniques.

Circumflex left aortic arch: a new vascular ring anomaly in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the circumflex left aortic arch as a new form of canine congenital vascular ring anomaly leading to esophageal constriction. ANIMALS: 3 large-breed dogs of variable age: a 9-month-old entire male German Shepherd Dog-Rottweiler cross, a 17-week-old entire male German Shepherd Dog, and a 9-year-old neutered female Labrador Retriever, seen between April 2022 and May 2023. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: Dogs presented for chronic postprandial regurgitation and poor growth. One dog presented for a hard mass on the caudal mandibular region. RESULTS: Computed tomography revealed a normal leftward-oriented cranial half and an abnormal caudal half of the aortic arch crossing toward the right dorsal hemithorax leading to esophageal constriction in all dogs. In addition, 1 dog presented with a right patent ductus arteriosus and 1 with an aberrant right subclavian artery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Circumflex left aortic arch is a newly discovered rare type of congenital vascular ring anomaly in dogs, which presents a similar anatomical derangement to the human form. Clinical signs include postprandial regurgitation and poor growth. Circumflex left aortic arch vascular anomaly cannot be surgically corrected via the left thoracotomy that is commonly used for the more common vascular ring anomalies in dogs. Computed tomography is a useful diagnostic modality for the diagnosis of this condition, detection of concomitant congenital vascular malformations, evaluation of associated pathologies, and surgical planning.

Evaluation of end-organ protection in newborns and infants after surgery of aortic arch hypoplasia: A prospective randomized study.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical repair of aortic arch hypoplasia in children requires a "dry" surgical field with reliable end-organ protection. Perfusion strategies commonly involve deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) and variations of the continuous perfusion techniques, such as selective antegrade cerebral perfusion (SACP) and full-flow perfusion with double aortic cannulation (DAC). We aimed to evaluate the end-organ protection in the surgery of aortic arch hypoplasia in newborns and infants using DHCA and DAC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 66 newborns and infants with aortic arch hypoplasia and biventricular anatomy were enrolled in this prospective study. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups according to the perfusion strategy - DHCA (n = 33); and DAC (n = 33). Primary endpoint: acute kidney injury (AKI), graded according to the KDIGO score. Secondary endpoints: neurological sequelae (pre- and postoperative MRI), in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: The lowest temperature was 32 (28; 34)°Ð¡ in the DAC group and 23 (20; 25)°Ð¡ in the DHCA group. The patients with DAC had lower incidence of AKI (6 patients (18.2%) versus 19 patients (57.6%); p = .017). In the multivariate analysis, the inotropic index at 48 h was identified as a risk factor, increasing the risk of AKI by 4%. The DHCA group was associated with a 3.8-fold increase in the risk of AKI. There was no difference in hospital mortality between the DAC and DHCA groups (1 patient (3%) versus 3 patients (9.1%); p = .61). Neurological sequelae by MRI scan were observed in 18 patients (54.5%) in the DHCA group compared to 5 patients (15.15%) in the DAC group (p = .026). The only risk factor identified in the multivariate analysis for neurological lesions on MRI scan was the DHCA group, which increased the risk by 8.8 times. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical reconstruction of the aortic arch hypoplasia using the method of full-body perfusion reduces the incidence of neurological lesions and renal complications requiring renal replacement therapy compared with the deep hypothermic circulatory arrest in neonates and infants.

Clinical efficacy of TEVAR utilizing fenestrated stent-grafts for zone 0 in an elderly frail patient with giant aortic arch aneurysm.

Introduction and importance: Elderly and frail patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) near to origins of cervical arteries present facing challenges with aortic arch replacement with cardiopulmonary bypass, and traditional tube-type stent-grafts are also inadequate for transcatheter endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). Thus, necessitating precise treatment with fenestrated stent-grafts from zone 0. This approach is crucial for achieving favorable postoperative outcomes without compromising activities of daily living (ADL). Case presentations: An 85-year-old-man admitted to the hospital for treatment of a large TAA. While arch replacement is a definitive procedure, it is highly invasive, and the postoperative ADL are expected to be significantly lower than preoperative levels. Therefore, we performed a debranching TEVAR from Zone 0 with fenestrated stent-graft. The patient was discharged from the hospital on the 11th postoperative day. Clinical discussion: In frail and elderly patients for whom conventional surgery may not be viable, TEVAR emerges as a preferred alternative. However, TEVAR of TAA proximal to the aortic arch continues to pose challenges, necessitating meticulous attention to the cervical branches in the intervention strategy. While surgical intervention in these patients necessitates careful consideration of its suitability, including the potential for postoperative enhancement in ADL, the use of fenestrated stent-grafts from Zone 0 emerges as one of the treatment modalities. Conclusion: The authors present a very elderly case in which fenestrated stent-grafts were used to avoid aortic arch replacement for a large aortic arch aneurysm, resulting in a good postoperative course with no decline in ADL.

Accurate prenatal diagnosis of coarctation of the aorta by 3-step echocardiographic diagnostic protocol.

BACKGROUND: Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is the most common undiagnosed congenital heart defect during prenatal screening. High false positive and false negative rates seriously affect prenatal consultation and postnatal management. The objective of the study was to assess the utility of various measurements to predict prenatal CoA and to derive a diagnostic algorithm. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-four fetuses with suspected CoA who presented at Fuwai Hospital between December 2017 and August 2021 were enrolled and divided into confirmed CoA cases (n = 47) and false positive cases (n = 107), according to their postnatal outcomes. The transverse aortic arch, isthmus, and descending aorta were measured in the long-axis view of the aortic arch. The angle between the transverse aortic arch (TAO) and the descending aortic arch (DAO) was defined as the TAO-DAO angle and measured in the long axis or sagittal view. Based on the database in GE Voluson E10 and the formula (Z = [Formula: see text]), the standard score (Z-score) of the dimensions of the aorta were calculated in relation to the gestational age. The main echocardiographic indices were combined to design a 3-step diagnostic protocol. The TAO-DAO angle was used as the first step in the diagnostic model. The diameter of the transverse arch and the Z-score of the isthmus were the second step. The third-step indices included a Z-score of the transverse arch, diameter of the isthmus, distance from the left subclavian artery (LSA) to left common carotid artery (LCCA), the ratio of isthmus diameter and LSA diameter and ratio of the distances (the distance between the LSA and LCCA to the distance between the right innominate artery and LCCA). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve determined the predictive capability of each diagnostic parameter, and the kappa test determined the diagnostic accuracy of the proposed model. RESULTS: The cases with confirmed CoA had thinner transverse arches (1.92 ± 0.32 mm vs. 3.06 ± 0.67 mm, P = 0.0001), lower Z-scores of the isthmus (-8.97 ± 1.45 vs. -5.65 ± 1.60, P = 0.0001), smaller TAO-DAO angles (105.54 ± 11.51° vs. 125.29 ± 8.97°, P = 0.0001) and larger distance between the LSA and LCCA (4.45 ± 1.75 mm vs. 2.74 ± 1.07 mm, P = 0.0001) than the false positive cases. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.947 (95% CI 0.91-0.98) for the TAO-DAO angle ≤ 115.75°, 0.942 (95% CI 0.91-0.98) for the transverse arch diameter ≤ 2.31 mm, 0.937 (95% CI 0.90-0.98) for the Z-score of the isthmus ≤ -7.5, and 0.975 (95% CI 0.95-1.00) for the 3-step diagnostic protocol with 97.8% sensitivity and 97.2% specificity. The kappa test showed that the model's diagnostic accuracy was consistent with postnatal outcomes (kappa value 0.936, P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The 3-step diagnostic protocol included the three most useful measurements and the additional indices with appropriate cut-off values. The algorithm is useful for the detection of aortic coarctation in fetuses with a high degree of accuracy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospectively registered.

Physician Modified Endograft for Ruptured Dissecting Aortic Arch Aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) in elective settings has demonstrated successful clinical outcomes. However, life-threatening conditions such as rupture are more often managed with open surgical repair due to the high complexity of arch endovascular repair, lack of available off-the-shelf devices, and limited long-term data. CASE SUMMARY: A 49-year-old female with a recent history of prior ascending aortic repair for Type A10 aortic dissection presented with chest pain and dyspnea. Chest computed tomography angiogram (CTA) revealed acute bilateral pulmonary emboli and a 6.2 cm post dissection aneurysm of the posterior aortic arch with the dissection extending to the right iliac artery. She was treated with thrombolysis and subsequently became hemodynamically unstable. Repeat CTA revealed a massive left hemithorax with concern for aortic arch rupture. Given significant cardiorespiratory compromise and recent open repair, she was considered unfit for redo open repair. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with a physician-modified endograft (PMEG) was planned. An Alpha Zenith endograft was modified adding an internal branch for the innominate artery and a fenestration for the left common carotid artery. The left subclavian artery was occluded with a microvascular plug and coil embolization up to the level of the vertebral artery. TEVAR PMEG extension to the celiac artery was performed followed by deployment of a Zenith dissection stent to the aortic bifurcation. Completion angiogram demonstrated successful aneurysm exclusion and patency of target vessels. CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment of ruptured TAA with PMEGs is feasible. This approach may be an alternative for unfit patients for open repair in emergent settings.

The optimal degree of core temperature for hypothermic circulatory arrest in complex aortic arch surgery: results from 1310 patients.

OBJECTIVES: The optimal core temperature for hypothermic circulatory arrest during aortic arch surgery remains contentious. This study aims to evaluate patient outcomes under various temperatures within a large single-centre cohort. METHODS: Between 2010 and 2018, patients diagnosed with type A aortic dissection underwent total arch replacement at Fuwai Hospital were enrolled. They were categorized into 4 groups: deep hypothermia group, low-moderate hypothermia group, high-moderate hypothermia group and mild hypothermia group. Clinical data were analysed to ascertain differences between the groups. RESULTS: A total of 1310 patients were included in this cohort. Operative mortality stood at 6.9% (90/1310), with a higher incidence observed in the deep hypothermia group [29 (12.9%); 35 (6.9%); 21 (4.8%); 5 (3.4%); all adjusted P < 0.05]. Overall 10-year survival was 80.3%. Long-term outcomes did not significantly differ among the groups. Multivariable logistic analysis revealed a protective effect of higher core temperature on operative mortality (odds ratio 0.848, 95% confidence interval 0.766-0.939; P = 0.001). High-moderate hypothermia emerged as an independent protective factor for operative mortality (odds ratio 0.303, 95% confidence interval 0.126-0.727; P = 0.007). Multivariable Cox analysis did not detect an effect of hypothermic circulatory arrest on long-term survival (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: High-moderate hypothermia (24.1-28°C) offers the most effective protection against surgical mortality and is therefore recommended. Different hypothermic circulatory arrest temperatures do not influence long-term survival or quality of life.

Optimization of Hypothermic Protocols for Neurocognitive Preservation in Aortic Arch Surgery: A Literature Review.

Shifts from deep to moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) in aortic arch surgery necessitate an examination of their differential impacts on neurocognitive functions, especially structured verbal memory, given its significance for patient recovery and quality of life. This study evaluates and synthesizes evidence on the effects of deep (≤20.0 °C), low-moderate (20.1-24.0 °C), and high-moderate (24.1-28.0 °C) hypothermic temperatures on structured verbal memory preservation and overall cognitive health in patients undergoing aortic arch surgery. We evaluated the latest literature from major medical databases such as PubMed and Scopus, focusing on research from 2020 to 2024, to gather comprehensive insights into the current landscape of temperature management during HCA. This comparative analysis highlights the viability of moderate hypothermia (20.1-28.0 °C), supported by recent trials and observational studies, as a method to achieve comparable neuroprotection with fewer complications than traditional deep hypothermia. Notably, low-moderate and high-moderate temperatures have been shown to support substantial survival rates, with impacts on structured verbal memory preservation that necessitate careful selection based on individual surgical risks and patient profiles. The findings advocate for a nuanced approach to selecting hypothermic protocols in aortic arch surgeries, emphasizing the importance of tailoring temperature management to optimize neurocognitive outcomes and patient recovery. This study fills a critical gap in the literature by providing evidence-based recommendations for temperature ranges during HCA, calling for ongoing updates to clinical guidelines and further research to refine these recommendations. The implications of temperature on survival rates, complications, and success rates underpin the necessity for evolving cardiopulmonary bypass techniques and cerebral perfusion strategies to enhance patient outcomes in complex cardiovascular procedures.

A heart transplant and concomitant hemiarch repair in a patient with a large ascending aortic aneurysm and a challenging sternal re-entry.

An orthotopic heart transplant and an aortic operation can be done concomitantly at centres that are experienced in both aortic operations and heart transplants with meticulous surgical strategy.

Technical Aspects of Exclusive Transfemoral Route for Total Endovascular Arch Repair: A Custom-Made Device With Only Upward-Facing Inner Branches for Aortic Arch Treatment.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to demonstrate a new arch endograft configuration to allow total endovascular aortic arch repair exclusive from transfemoral approach. TECHNIQUE: The custom-made multi-branched arch endograft (Cook Medical, Bloomington, Indiana) features 3 inner branches (IBs) for supra-aortic vessels incorporation and complete endovascular arch repair. Traditionally, the innominate and left carotid branches are anterograde IBs, requiring upper access for incorporation of these vessels, and the left subclavian branch is an upward-facing IB that can be incorporated from transfemoral access. We report a novel device configuration with only upward-facing IBs, allowing exclusive transfemoral route for total endovascular arch repair. Technical aspects, implantation technique, and limitations are described thoroughly. CONCLUSION: Herein is described an arch endograft configuration that simplifies endovascular aortic arch repair, allowing supra-aortic vessel incorporation through a transfemoral route only. This innovative design may serve as another alternative in selected patients. CLINICAL IMPACT: This innovative endograft design, with only upward-facing inner branches, simplifies the total endovascular aortic arch repair by allowing for a exclusively transfemoral approach. This may reduce procedural complexity and minimizes risks associated with multiple access points. It provides another alternative, particularly beneficial for selected high-risk patients for open repair, potentially expanding the applicability of endovascular treatments for aortic arch pathologies.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis With Reconstructed Time-To-Event Data of Frozen Elephant Trunk and Conventional Aortic Repair.

Frozen elephant trunk (FET) has gained popularity since its inception. Nevertheless, the optimal approach for managing aortic arch pathologies remains subject of debate. This meta-analysis compared outcomes between patients undergoing FET and those undergoing conventional aortic repair. Systematic searches were conducted up to February 2024. Pooled results of short and long-term outcomes were computed. A systematic review identified 21 non-randomized studies encompassing 3240 patients. Short-term mortality was lower in FET recipients than in those undergoing conventional repair (OR [95% CI] = 0.58 [0.44-0.78], P < .01). Postoperative paraplegia incidence was higher in the FET cohort (OR = 1.85 [1.02-3.34], P = .04), while subgroup analysis showed no difference between the two groups in patients with acute aortic dissection. Long-term all-cause mortality was lower among FET recipients. Subgroup analysis showed FET was associated with reduced all-cause mortality (HR = 0.55 [0.39-0.79], P < .01) and aortic re-intervention (HR = 0.62 [0.39-0.99], P = .05) in acute aortic dissection patients. This meta-analysis underscores the favorable association between the utilization of FET and improved short and long-term outcomes compared with conventional repair, while paraplegia incidence was higher in the FET group. FET appears to offer superior benefits, particularly evident in patients with acute aortic dissection.

Transcarotid Artery Revascularization Outperforms Transfemoral Carotid Artery Stenting Regardless of Aortic Arch Type or Degree of Atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) now approve reimbursement for Transfemoral Carotid Artery Stenting (TFCAS) in the treatment of standard-risk patients with carotid artery occlusive disease. TFCAS in patients with complex aortic arch anatomy is known to be challenging with worse outcomes. Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) could be a preferable alternative in these patients owing to avoiding the aortic arch and using flow reversal during stent deployment. We aim to compare the outcomes of TCAR versus TFCAS across all aortic arch types and degrees of arch atherosclerosis. METHODS: All patients undergoing Carotid Artery Stenting (CAS) between September 2016 and October 2023 were identified in the VQI database. Patients were stratified into four groups: Group-A (Mild Atherosclerosis and Type I/II Arch), Group-B (Mild Atherosclerosis and Type III Arch), Group-C (Moderate/Severe Atherosclerosis and Type I/II Arch), Group-D (Moderate/Severe Atherosclerosis and Type III Arch). The primary outcome was in-hospital composite stroke or death. ANOVA and χ2tests analyzed differences for baseline characteristics. Logistic regression models were adjusted for potential confounders, and backward stepwise selection was implemented to identify significant variables for inclusion in the final models. Kaplan Meier survival estimates, Log Rank test, and multivariable Cox regression models analyzed hazard ratios for one-year mortality. RESULTS: A total of 20,114 patients were included [Group-A:12,980 (64.53%); Group-B: 1,175 (5.84%); Group-C: 5,124 (25.47%); Group-D: 835 (4.15%)]. TCAR was more commonly performed across the four groups (72.21%, 67.06%, 74.94% 69.22%; p<0.001). Compared to patients with mild arch atherosclerosis, patients with advanced arch atherosclerosis in Group-C and Group-D were more likely to be female, hypertensive, smokers, and have CKD. Patients with Type-III arch in Group-B and Group-D were more likely to present with stroke preoperatively. On multivariable analysis, TCAR had less than half the risk of stroke/death and one-year mortality compared to TFCAS in the patients with the mildest atherosclerosis and simple arch anatomy (group A) (OR=0.43,95%CI:0.31-0.61, p<0.001; HR=0.42,95%CI:0.32-0.57, p<0.001). Group-B patients with similar atherosclerosis but more complex arch anatomy had 70% lower odds of stroke/death with TCAR compared to TFCAS (OR=0.30,95%CI:0.12-0.75, p=0.01). Similar findings were also evident in patients with more severe atherosclerosis and simple arch anatomy (OR=0.66,95%CI:0.44-0.97, p=0.037). There was no significant difference in odds of stroke/death in patients with advanced arch atherosclerosis and complex arch (Group-D) (OR=0.91,95%CI:0.39-2.16, p=0.834). CONCLUSIONS: TCAR is safer than TFCAS in patients with simple and advanced arch anatomy. This could be related to the efficiency of flow reversal vs distal embolic protection. Current CMS decision will likely increase stroke and death outcomes of carotid stenting nationally if multidisciplinary approach and appropriate patient selection are not implemented.

The anatomic repair of recurrent aortic arch obstruction in children and adolescents.

Objective: Surgery for recurrent aortic arch obstruction is highly challenging and publications are rare. The aim of this retrospective, single-center study was to evaluate mortality, complications, and reintervention rate after an anatomic repair. Methods: Between 1999 and 2022, in total 946 operations on the aortic arch were performed at the Children's Heart Center Linz. In 39 cases, the indication was a recurrent or residual aortic arch obstruction or coarctation in a patient aged 18 years or younger. This is our study cohort. The aorta was reconstructed by a direct anastomosis/autograft in 20 patients, patch in 17 patients, and interposition graft in 2 adolescents. In 32 procedures, cardiopulmonary bypass with whole body perfusion was employed, in 4, antegrade cerebral perfusion was employed, in 2, a left heart bypass was employed, and in 1 no cardiopulmonary bypass was used. Results: Median (Q1, Q3) age at operation was 253 days (100, 2198 days), weight 7.5 kg (4.5, 17.8 kg). Median cardiopulmonary bypass time was 177 minutes (115, 219 minutes), crossclamp time 73 minutes (49, 102 minutes). Three infants died during the hospital stay: 1 with Williams syndrome, 1 with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, and 1 with heterotaxia. There was no death due to an arch complication. The main complications were 1 neurologic injury after postoperative resuscitation (Williams syndrome) and 1 permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis. During the follow-up period of median 8.1 years (2.6, 12 years) 1 re-reintervention on the aortic arch was necessary. Conclusions: Sophisticated reoperations on the aortic arch could be performed safely. In children, the growth potential of all segments of the aorta could be sustainably preserved by avoiding interposition or extra-anatomic bypass grafts.

A Novel Diastolic Doppler Index Less Affected by Aortic Arch Anomalies Co-existing with Coarctation.

Severity assessment for coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is challenging due to concomitant morphological anomalies (complex CoA) and inaccurate Doppler-based indices. Promising diagnostic performance has been reported for the continuous flow pressure gradient (CFPG), but it has not been studied in complex CoA. Our objective was to characterize the effect of complex CoA and associated hemodynamics on CFPG in a clinical cohort. Retrospective analysis identified discrete juxtaductal (n = 25) and complex CoA (n = 43; transverse arch and/or isthmus hypoplasia) patients with arm-leg systolic blood pressure gradients (BPG) within 24 h of echocardiography for comparison to BPG by conventional Doppler indices (simplified Bernoulli equation and modified forms correcting for proximal kinetic energy and/or recovered pressure). Results were interpreted using the current CoA guideline (BPG ≥ 20 mmHg) to compare diagnostic performance indicators including receiver operating characteristic curves, sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy, among others. Echocardiography Z-scored aortic diameters were applied with computational simulations from a preclinical CoA model to understand aspects of the CFPG driving performance differences. Diagnostic performance was substantially reduced from discrete to complex CoA for conventional Doppler indices calculated from patient data, and by hypoplasia and/or long segment stenosis in simulations. In contrast, diagnostic indicators for the CFPG only modestly dropped for complex vs discrete CoA. Simulations revealed differences in performance due to inclusion of the Doppler velocity index and diastolic pressure half-time in the CFPG calculation. CFPG is less affected by aortic arch anomalies co-existing with CoA when compared to conventional Doppler indices.