Mid-Term Outcomes of "Complete Aortic Repair": Surgical or Endovascular Total Arch Replacement With Thoracoabdominal Fenestrated-Branched Endovascular Aortic Repair.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a single-center experience of "complete aortic repair" consisting of surgical or endovascular total arch replacement/repair (TAR) followed by thoracoabdominal fenestrated-branched endovascular aortic repair (FB-EVAR). METHODS: We reviewed 480 consecutive patients who underwent FB-EVAR with physician-modified endografts (PMEGs) or manufactured stent-grafts between 2013 and 2022. From those, we selected only patients treated with open or endovascular arch repair and distal FB-EVAR for aneurysms involving the ascending, arch and thoracoabdominal aortic segments (zones 0-9). Manufactured devices were used under an investigational device exemption protocol. Endpoints included early/in-hospital mortality, mid-term survival, freedom from secondary intervention, and target artery instability. RESULTS: There were 22 patients, 14 men and 8 women with a median age of 72±7 years. Thirteen postdissection and 9 degenerative aortic aneurysms were repaired with a mean maximum diameter of 67±11 mm. Time from index aortic procedure to aneurysm exclusion was 169 and 270 days in those undergoing 2- and 3-stage repair strategies, respectively. The ascending aorta and aortic arch were treated with 19 surgical and 3 endovascular TAR procedures. Three (16%) surgical arch procedures were performed elsewhere, and perioperative details were unavailable. Mean bypass, cross-clamp, and circulatory arrest times were 295±57, 216±63, and 46±11 minutes, respectively. There were 4 major adverse events (MAEs) in 2 patients: both required postoperative hemodialysis, 1 had postbypass cardiogenic shock necessitating extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and the other required evacuation of an acute-on-chronic subdural hematoma. Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair was performed with 17 manufactured endografts and 5 PMEGs. There was no early mortality. Six (27%) patients experienced MAEs. There were 4 (18%) cases of spinal cord injury with 3 (75%) experiencing complete symptom resolution before discharge. Mean follow-up was 30±17 months in which there were 5 patient deaths-0 aortic related. Eight patients required ≥1 secondary intervention, and 6 target arteries demonstrated instability (3 IC, 1 IIIC endoleaks; 2 TA stenoses). Kaplan-Meier 3-year estimates of patient survival, freedom from secondary intervention, and target artery instability were 78±8%, 56±11%, and 68±11%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Complete aortic repair with staged surgical or endovascular TAR and distal FB-EVAR is safe and effective with satisfactory morbidity, mid-term survival, and target artery outcomes. CLINICAL IMPACT: The presented study demonstrates that repair of the entirety of the aorta - via total endovascular or hybrid means- is safe and effective with low rates of spinal cord ischemia. Cardiovascular specialists within comprehensive aortic teams at should feel confident that staged repair of the most complex degenerative and post-dissection thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms can be safely performed in their patients with complication profile similar to that of less extensive repairs. Meticulous and intentional case planning is imperative for immediate and long-term success.

No Sex Differences in the Prevalence of Intracranial Aneurysms in Patients with Ascending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms: A Multi-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggest a coprevalence of intracranial aneurysms (IA) in patients with infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). We reviewed our multicenter experience in the detection/treatment of IAs in patients with ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (ATAA) relative to patients without ATAA. METHODS: Surgical cases of ATAA repaired at 3 sites from January 1998 to December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Out of these patients, those with intracranial vascular imaging were selected for our study, and these individuals were concurrently randomly matched with a control group of patients who underwent intracranial vascular imaging without an ATAA in a 1:1 ratio by age, sex, smoking history, and year of intracranial vascular imaging. Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR). RESULTS: We reviewed 2176 ATAA repairs. 74% (n = 1,615) were men. Intracranial vascular imaging was available in 298 (13.7%) patients. Ninteen patients were found to have 22 IAs for a prevalence of 6.4%. Mean size of IA was 4.6 ± 3.3 mm; mean age at IA detection, 63.4 ± 12.1 years. IA was present on head imaging in 4.7% of male and 12.5% of female patients. Eleven (58%) patients were men. The OR of having IA in female versus male patients is 2.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.08-7.50], P = 0.029. Time from IA diagnosis to ATAA repair was 1.7 ± 116.2 months. Two patients underwent treatment for IA, one ruptured and one unruptured. All were diagnosed before ATAA repair. Treatment included 1 clipping and 1 coiling with subsequent reintervention of the coiling using a flow diversion device. In the matched group of patients who had intracranial vascular imaging without ATAA, the rate of IA is 5.0%. IA was detected in 3.8% of males and 9.4% of female patients for an OR of 2.59, 95% CI [0.84-7.47], P = 0.083. Association within our study and matched groups, the OR of developing an IA with and without ATAA was not statistically significant 1.29, 95% CI [0.642.59], P = 0.48. There was also no evidence of sex differences in the association of ATAA with IA (interaction P = 0.88). The OR for the association of ATAA with IA was 1.33, 95% CI [0.46-3.84], P = 0.59 in females and 1.25, 95% CI [0.49-3.17], P = 0.64 in males. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that IA was present in 6.4% of patients with ATAA who had intracranial vascular imaging available. The odds of IA were 1.29 times higher than a matched cohort of patients who had intracranial vascular imaging without ATAA but this failed to achieve statistical significance. We found that the odds of IA were more than 2 times higher in females than males for both those with ATAA (OR = 2.90) and those without ATAA (OR = 2.59); however, it only reached statistical significance in those with ATAA.

Staged total arch replacement, followed by fenestrated-branched endovascular aortic repair, for patients with mega aortic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to review the clinical outcomes of a staged approach using total arch replacement (TAR) with an elephant trunk or a frozen elephant trunk, followed by fenestrated-branched endovascular aortic repair (F-BEVAR) for patients with mega aortic syndrome. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical data and outcomes of 11 consecutive patients (8 men; mean age, 71 ± 7 years) treated by staged TAR and F-BEVAR from January 2014 to December 2018. The F-BEVAR procedures were performed under a prospective, nonrandomized, physician-sponsored investigational device exemption protocol. All patients had had mega aortic syndrome, defined by an ascending aorta, arch, and extent I-II thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. The endpoints were 30-day mortality, major adverse events (MAE), patient survival, freedom from reintervention, and freedom from target vessel instability. RESULTS: Of the 11 patients, 6 had developed chronic postdissection aneurysms after previous Stanford A (three A11, two A10, one A9) dissection repair and 5 had had degenerative aneurysms with no suitable landing zone in the aortic arch. The thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms were classified as extent I in four patients and extent II in seven. One patient had died within 30 days after TAR (9.0%). However, none of the remaining 10 patients who had undergone F-BEVAR had died. First-stage TAR resulted in MAE in three patients (27%), including one spinal cord injury. The mean length of stay was 12 ± 6 days. The mean interval between TAR and F-BEVAR was 245 ± 138 days with no aneurysm rupture during the interval. Second-stage F-BEVAR was associated with MAE in two patients (20%), including spinal cord injury in one patient from spinal hematoma due to placement of a cerebrospinal fluid drain. The mean follow-up period was 14 ± 10 months. At 2 years postoperatively, patient survival, primary patency, secondary patency, and freedom from renal-mesenteric target vessel instability was 80% ± 9%, 94% ± 6%, 100%, and 86% ± 8%, respectively. No aortic-related deaths occurred during the follow-up period. Four patients had required reintervention, all performed using an endovascular approach. CONCLUSIONS: A staged approach to treatment of mega aortic syndrome using TAR and F-BEVAR is a feasible alternative for selected high-risk patients. Larger clinical experience and longer follow-up are needed.

Cannulation strategies & circulation management in type-A aortic dissection.

Type A aortic dissection most often requires emergent surgery to prevent malperfusion, stroke, and/or rupture of aorta. To achieve the structural goals of the operation, the conduct of the surgery is targeted from it inception at restoring true lumen flow. In this regard, institution of cardiopulmonary bypass and circulation management is key to allow adequate systemic flow, perfusion of brain and visceral organs and comprehensive systemic cooling to achieve circulatory arrest when needed. Different strategies have been used to establish adequate true lumen perfusion with varying success rates, with the most common still being femoral cannulation. More recently axillary and central cannulation strategies have shown satisfactory results by allowing more reliable true lumen flow. Cannulation approach should, therefore, depend on individual patient characteristics, presentation, and true lumen anatomy.

Outcomes of pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis following mediastinal irradiation.

BACKGROUND: Pericardiectomy for postradiation constrictive pericarditis has been reported to generally have unfavorable outcomes. This study sought to evaluate surgical outcomes in a large cohort of patients undergoing pericardiectomy for radiation-associated pericardial constriction. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all patients (≥18 years) who underwent pericardiectomy for a diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis with a prior history of mediastinal irradiation from June 2002 to June 2019 was conducted. There were 100 patients (mean age 57.2 ± 10.1 years, 49% females) who met the inclusion criteria. Records were reviewed to look at the surgical approach, the extent of resection, early mortality, and late survival. RESULTS: The overall operative mortality was 10.1% (n = 10). The rate of operative mortality decreased over the study period; however, the test of the trend was not statistically significant (p = .062). Hodgkin's disease was the most common malignancy (64%) for which mediastinal radiation had been received. Only 27% of patients had an isolated pericardiectomy, and concomitant pericardiectomy and valve surgery were performed in 46% of patients. Radical resection was performed in 50% of patients, whereas 47% of patients underwent subtotal resection. Prolonged ventilation (26%), atrial fibrillation (21%), and pleural effusion (16%) were the most common postoperative complications. The overall 1, 5-, and 10-years survival was 73.6%, 53.4%, and 32.1%, respectively. Increasing age (hazard ratio, 1.044, 95% confidence interval 1.017-1.073) appeared to have a significant negative effect on overall survival in the univariate model. CONCLUSION: Pericardiectomy performed for radiation-associated constrictive pericarditis has poor long-term outcomes. The early mortality, though high (~10%), has been showing a decreasing trend in the test of time.

Impact of postoperative complications after cardiac surgery on long-term survival.

PURPOSE: The impact of postoperative complications on long-term survival is not well characterized. We sought to study the prevalence of postoperative complications after cardiac surgery and their impact on long-term survival. METHODS: Operative survivors (n = 26,221) who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) (n = 13,054, 49.8%), valve surgery (n = 8667, 33.1%) or combined CABG and valve surgery (n = 4500, 17.2%) from 1993 to 2019 were included in the study. Records were reviewed for postoperative complications and long-term survival. Propensity-match analysis was performed between patients who did and did not have a postoperative complication. The associations between postoperative complications and survival were assessed using a Cox-proportional model. RESULTS: Complications occurred in 17,463 (66.6%) of 26,221 operative survivors. A total of 17 postoperative complications were analyzed. Postoperative blood product use was the commonest (n = 12,397, 47.3%), followed by atrial fibrillation (n = 8399, 32.0%), prolonged ventilation (n = 2336, 8.9%), renal failure (n = 870, 3.3%), reoperation for bleeding (n = 859, 3.3%) and pacemaker/ICD insertion (n = 795, 3.0%). Stroke (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.55; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.36-1.77), renal failure (HR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.33-1.58) and pneumonia (HR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.11-1.36) had the strongest impact on long-term survival. Long-term survival decreased as the number of postoperative complications increased. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative complications after cardiac surgery significantly impact outcomes that extend beyond the postoperative period. Stroke, renal failure, and pneumonia are particularly associated with poor long-term survival.

Central Partial Bypass Management Technique for Distal Arch Surgery.

Circulatory arrest and left heart bypass are the most common approaches to manage perfusion during distal arch surgery. We report a novel perfusion technique utilized in the treatment of aneurysmal Komerrell's diverticulum (KD) and aberrant subclavian artery (ASA) that allows for a reliable conduct of perfusion. From 2016 to 2020, 12 adult patients with aneurysmal KD and ASA underwent repair of distal arch through lateral thoracotomy ipsilateral to the arch side using central partial bypass. Once the patients were fully heparinized the lower thoracic aorta and the right atrium were cannulated. The cannulas were connected to the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit with an oxygenator. Partial bypass was initiated. Ventilation via anesthesia was continued as the mode of gas exchange to the upper body while the CPB circuit provided gas exchange to the lower body. In all patients, CPB was initiated allowing the patient to maintain a mean arterial pressure >60 mmHg in the femoral artery and a mean arterial pressure (MAP) >80 mmHg in the radial artery to allow adequate native ejection into the proximal circulation. The venous line was partially occluded to control the radial pressure. The aorta was cross clamped proximal and distal to the KD to isolate the aorta to be replaced. KD was excised in all patients having performed contralateral subclavian to carotid transposition previously. Once the aorta was reconstructed, clamps were released and the patients were weaned off CPB. All were extubated on the same day and there was no early mortality.

Dissecting myocardial mechanics in patients with severe aortic stenosis: 2-dimensional vs 3-dimensional-speckle tracking echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Aortic stenosis (AS) causes left ventricular (LV) pressure overload, leading to adverse LV remodeling and dysfunction. Identifying early subclinical markers of LV dysfunction in patients with significant AS is critical as this could provide support for earlier intervention, which may result in improved long-term outcomes. We therefore examined the impact of severe AS and its consequent increase in LV afterload on myocardial deformation and rotational mechanics by 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) speckle-tracking echocardiography. METHODS: We prospectively measured various strain parameters in 168 patients (42% female, mean age 72 ± 12 years) with severe AS and LV ejection fraction (EF) ≥50%, and compared them to normal values found in literature. 2D and 3D images were analyzed for global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS), global radial strain (GRS), basal rotation, apical rotation, and peak systolic twist. We further assessed the degree of concordance between 2D and 3D strain, and examined their association with measures of LV preload and afterload. RESULTS: Patients with severe AS exhibited significantly lower GLS and GRS but higher GCS, apical rotation, and twist by 2D and 3D echocardiography compared with published normal values (P = 0.003 for 3D twist, P < 0.001 for all others). Agreement between 2D- and 3D-GLS by concordance correlation coefficient was 0.49 (95% confidence interval: 0.39-0.57). GLS was correlated with valvulo-arterial impedance, a measure of LV afterload (r = 0.34, p < 0.001 and r = 0.23, p = 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSION: Patients with severe AS demonstrated lower-than-normal GLS and GRS but appear to compensate with higher-than-normal GCS, apical rotation, and twist in order to maintain a preserved LVEF. GLS showed a modest correlation with valvulo-arterial impedance.

Assisted care as a baseline patient risk characteristic affecting the outcome of transcatheter aortic valve insertion.

BACKGROUND: Objective measures of frailty have not been well defined as risk factors for a poor outcome after transcatheter aortic valve insertion. We hypothesized that assisted care as a baseline patient characteristic was a simple objective measure of frailty. We reviewed our experience to assess for an association between assisted care and outcome of operation. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 597 patients operated with transcatheter aortic valve insertion from November 2008 through July 2015. The study cohort included patients with a dichotomous baseline characteristic of receiving assisted care (AC group, n = 60, 10.1%) or not receiving assisted care (NC group, n = 537, 89.9%). The endpoints of the study were operative stroke/death and 1-year survival. RESULTS: The age of the patients was 80.6 ± 9.0 years, male sex was present in 349 (58.5%), and STS predicted risk of mortality was 9.2 ± 6.2%. Alternate access was used in 26 (43.3%) patients in the AC care group and in 220 (41.0%) in the NC group (P = 0.724). Operative stroke/death occurred in 4 (6.7%) patients in the AC group and in 25 (4.7%) in the NC group (P = 0.492). Mortality at 1 year in the AC group was 14.8 ± 5.2% and in the NC group was 12.9 ± 1.7%; (P = 0. 250). CONCLUSIONS: Assisted care as a baseline patient characteristic does not result in increased operative stroke/death or 1-year mortality in patients following transcatheter aortic valve insertion. Assisted care should not by itself preclude operation. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Single-center outcomes of combined heart and liver transplantation in the failing Fontan.

Long-term outcomes of the Fontan operation include Fontan failure and liver disease. Combined heart-liver transplantation (CHLT) is an option for select patients although limited data exist on this strategy. A retrospective review of Fontan patients 18 years or older referred for cardiac transplant evaluation between 2000 and 2013 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania was performed. All patients were considered for potential CHLT. Clinical variables such as demographics, perioperative factors, and short-term outcomes were reviewed. Of 17 referrals for cardiac transplantation, seven Fontan patients underwent CHLT. All patients who underwent CHLT had either advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis on liver biopsy. There were no perioperative deaths. The most common postoperative morbidity was acute kidney injury. Short-term complications include one episode of acute liver rejection but no cardiac rejection greater than 1R. CHLT is an acceptable therapeutic option for patients with failing Fontan physiology who exhibit concomitant advanced liver fibrosis. However, optimal patient selection is currently undefined, and long-term outcomes are not known.

Central cannulation strategy for extent I thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair of chronic type B aortic dissection.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the safety profile of a central cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) cannulation strategy for repair of extent I thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA) with chronic type B dissection in comparison to traditional peripheral CPB cannulation strategies. METHODS: Patients undergoing extent I TAAA repair for chronic type B dissection from 2002 to 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were grouped by their CPB cannulation strategy. Patients in Group I underwent central aortic cannulation (n = 28) through a left thoracotomy incision. The true lumen of the descending thoracic aorta was cannulated using an echocardiogram-guided Seldinger wire technique. The right atrium was directly accessed for venous drainage. In Group II (n = 31), arterial and venous cannulation of the femoral vessels was achieved using a left-sided groin incision. All patients underwent deep hypothermic circulatory arrest for proximal aortic reconstruction. RESULTS: Preoperative aortic dimensions (6.5 ± 0.79 cm in Group I vs 7.0 ± 1.15 cm in Group II p = 0.8) were similar between groups. CPB time (240 ± 37 min in Group I vs 174 ± 68 min in Group II p < 0.01) was significantly higher in the central cannulation group whereas circulatory arrest times (43 ± 5 min Group I vs 37 ± 7 min in Group II p = 0.1) were similar between the two groups. In-hospital 30-day mortality (N = 0, 0% in Group I; N = 2, 6.5% in Group II), stroke (N = 1, 3.5% in Group I; N = 0, 0% in Group II), paraplegia (N = 1, 3.5% in Group I; N = 1, 3.2% in Group II), reoperation for bleeding (N = 1, 3.5% in Group I; N = 1, 3.2% Group II), tracheostomy rate (N = 2, 7% in Group I; N = 3, 9.7% Group II), and mean length of stay (19 days in Group I vs 17 days in Group II) were similar (p > 0.05). Median follow-up was 3.6 ± 2.0 in Group I and 5.6 ± 2.6 years in Group II. Actuarial survival at 5 years was 84.6 % for Group I and 77.6% for Group II (p = 0.52). CONCLUSIONS: Central true lumen cannulation through a left thoracotomy incision for repair of extent I TAAA with chronic type B dissection is an acceptable approach with equivalent early and midterm outcomes compared to more standard femoral cannulation techniques. It may provide a safe alternative cannulation site for patients with diseased femoral vessels.

Improving mortality trends for hospitalization of aortic dissection in the National Inpatient Sample.

OBJECTIVE: Population-based assessment of aortic dissection (AD) hospitalizations in the general United States population is limited. We assessed the current trends in AD admissions and in-hospital mortality for surgical and medical AD treatment. METHODS: Patients admitted for primary diagnosis of AD were identified from the National Inpatient Sample database (2003-2012). Patients were identified by International Classification of Diseases-Ninth Revision diagnosis codes and categorized by treatment type: type A open surgical repair (TASR), type B open surgical repair (TBSR), thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), and medical management (MM). Our primary outcomes were to evaluate admission trends and in-hospital mortality of AD. Secondary outcomes included postoperative complications. We used weighted national estimates of admissions to assess trends over time using linear regression. We also identified factors associated with mortality via a hierarchical multivariable logistic regression model. RESULTS: We identified 15,641 patients (60.7% male; mean age, 63.5 years) admitted with a primary diagnosis of AD between 2003 and 2012. Intervention types included TASR in 3253 (20.8%), TBSR in 3007 (19.2%), TEVAR in 1417 (9.1%), and MM in 7964 (50.9%). Overall weighted admissions for AD increased significantly, from 6980 in 2003 to 8875 in 2012 (P < .01, test of trend), with increases in admission for TASR, from 1143 in 2003 to 2130 in 2012 (P < .01, test of trend), and TEVAR from 96 in 2005 to 1130 in 2012 (P < .01, test of trend). TBSR and MM admissions were stable, with TBSR admissions at 1519 in 2003 and 1540 in 2012 (P = .9, test of trend) and MM admissions at 4319 in 2003 and 4075 in 2012 (P = .8, test of trend). During the same interval, overall in-hospital mortality rates for AD decreased from 18.1% to 13.0% (P < .01, test of trend). When stratified by intervention type, mortality rates decreased for TASR, from 20.5% to 14.8% (P < .01, test of trend), for TBSR, from 18.0% to 14.3% (P = .03, test of trend), and for MM, from 17.5% to 13.9% (P < .01, test of trend). Mortality rates for TEVAR were stable, with an average mortality of 7.9% (P = .8, test of trend) during the study period. Factors associated with increased mortality included older age, Caucasian race, nonelective admission, pre-existing peripheral vascular disease, and acute postoperative complication of myocardial infarction, stroke, or kidney failure. Admissions at a center with high surgical volume were associated with a decreased mortality for TBSR admissions only (odds ratio, 0.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.4-0.7). CONCLUSIONS: Overall and surgical admission rates for AD appear to be increasing, and in-hospital mortality rates are decreasing. TEVAR mortality remains mostly unchanged, however, suggesting targets for further improvement in mortality for AD treatment. Decreased mortality for TBSR at centers with a high surgical volume may suggest a need for regionalization of AD care.

Intraoperative Electroencephalogram-Guided Deep Hypothermia Plus Antegrade and/or Retrograde Cerebral Perfusion During Aortic Arch Surgery.

BACKGROUND: A number of intraoperative tools are used for brain monitoring in aortic arch surgery. We rely on intraoperative electroencephalogram (EEG) to guide deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. METHODS: Between July 2012 and June 2014, 157 patients underwent aortic arch surgery with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest performed by a single surgeon. Intraoperative EEG was used in 141 patients (89.8%). Our intraoperative strategy was to continue systemic cooling until no electrical waves were observed on the EEG. Once we confirmed electroencephalographic silence, we induced deep hypothermic circulatory arrest for aortic arch reconstruction. Retrograde cerebral perfusion was also used during hemiarch and distal arch replacements. Antegrade cerebral perfusion was added to total arch replacements. RESULTS: Patients' mean age was 59.1 ± 14.6 years. Hemiarch replacement was performed in 100 (63.7%), total arch replacement in 28 (17.8%), and distal arch replacement in 29 (18.5%). There were 30 urgent or emergency cases (19.1%). Circulatory arrest time was 28.8 ± 15.3 minutes. Thirty-day mortality occurred in four patients (2.5%). Postoperative stroke was diagnosed in five patients (3.2%). Major stroke led to 30-day mortality in two patients whose intraoperative EEG had shown abnormal recovery after systemic rewarming. One hundred thirty-five patients (95.7%) had normal recovery of EEG. Of these, three (2.2%) developed minor stroke consisting of minor hemiplegia. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative EEG is a reliable monitoring tool for safe circulatory arrest.

Multicenter clinical trial of the conformable stent graft for the treatment of acute, complicated type B dissection.

OBJECTIVE: The treatment of acute, complicated type B aortic dissection has evolved in the past several decades. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair when anatomy is suitable, has been regarded as the preferable treatment to seal the primary entry tear, redirect and re-establish adequate true lumen flow, and thereby promote aortic remodeling. This study was designed to determine the safety and efficacy of a conformable thoracic endoprosthesis device for patients with acute, complicated type B aortic dissection, defined as malperfusion or rupture or both. METHODS: Between January 2010 and January 2012, 50 patients with complicated type B aortic dissection from 26 sites in the United States were included in this prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized single-arm study. The primary safety end point was all-cause mortality through 30 days after treatment, and the primary efficacy end point was exclusion of the primary entry tear (Core Laboratory adjudicated) at 1-month follow-up. Secondary end points included false lumen thrombosis, dissection-based reintervention rate, and aortic rupture. RESULTS: All device implants were successfully completed. Six patients (12%) required additional device implantations ≤1 year from the index procedure. There was no conversion to open repair at 1 year. Exclusion of the primary entry tear at 30 days occurred in 97.5% of patients. All-cause mortality through 30 days was 8%. Survival was 88% at 1 year and 85% at 2 years. At 1 year after treatment, 35.1% of patients had experienced a decrease of ≥5 mm in overall diameter in the treated segment of the aorta. From pretreatment to the 36-month follow-up, the average minimum true lumen area increased by 206.3 mm(2), and the average maximum false lumen area decreased by 313.4 mm(2). The 30-day stroke rate was 18%; none were fatal, and one permanent deficit occurred. Four patients (8%) experienced spinal cord ischemia of any severity but without any permanent or significant deficits. New aortic dissection (3 retrograde, 2 de novo) occurred in five patients (10%). The secondary intervention rate was 18%. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with the conformable thoracic endovascular aortic repair device produced favorable perioperative and intermediate level clinical and anatomic outcomes. In particular, an operative mortality of 8% in this cohort is comparable to that noted in a Society for Vascular Surgery objective performance criteria publication. Late survival in our cohort compares favorably with historical data referable to complicated type B dissection.

Endovascular Repair of Saccular Ascending Aortic Aneurysm After Orthotopic Heart Transplantation Using an Investigational Zenith Ascend Stent-Graft.

PURPOSE: To report the use of an investigational stent-graft to treat an ascending aortic aneurysm in a patient with a heart transplant. CASE REPORT: A 48-year-old man presented with a 3.5×1.5-cm saccular aneurysm in the mid anterior ascending aorta, abutting the sternum. The patient's history was notable for placement of a left ventricular assist device followed by orthotopic heart transplantation 2 years prior to treat end-stage familial dilated cardiomyopathy. Under compassionate use, a custom-designed ascending aortic stent-graft (Zenith Ascend) was successfully delivered via an 18-F system and deployed just distal to the origin of the left main coronary artery under pulmonary artery catheter-guided rapid ventricular pacing. The patient was discharged the next day, and 6-month follow-up was unremarkable. Imaging at 5 months showed an excluded aneurysm sac with no endoleak or migration. CONCLUSION: The ideal ascending aortic stent-graft should be low profile, conformable to the arch anatomy, with short tip delivery system and a stepwise deployment mechanism that allows precise placement relative to the ostia of the coronary arteries and the innominate artery. This case illustrates the advancement of endovascular techniques to the most challenging segment of the aorta to decrease morbidity and mortality in high-risk patients.

Axillary artery conduit formation for arterial access during transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: Transapical transcatheter valve replacement is a relatively new technique for select patients with aortic valve stenosis, most of whom have severe peripheral vascular disease. We report our experience with the use of a right axillary artery conduit for arterial access during transapical valve replacement. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 129 patients who underwent transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement between November 2009 and August 2013. The study group included 26 (20.2%) patients who received a right axillary artery conduit for arterial access. Median age of the patients was 84 years (63 to 90), sex was female in seven (26.9%), and Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted risk of mortality was 8.7% (1.8 to 21.2). RESULTS: Axillary artery conduit use was significantly more common during the first half of our operative experience (24/65 patients, 36.9%) in comparison to the second half (2/64 patients, 3.1%; p < 0.0001). Inadequate iliofemoral artery diameter for cardiopulmonary bypass support was present in six patients (23.1%) who received a conduit. All patients underwent successful placement of the axillary artery conduit and subsequent conduit access for catheter-based procedures. Cardiopulmonary bypass support was provided to five (19.2%) patients. Operative mortality occurred in three (11.5%) patients and complications in 12 (46.2%), neither of which were related to the axillary artery conduit. CONCLUSIONS: Creation of an axillary artery conduit provides a safe arterial access platform for transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Outcomes of Surgical Repair of Aberrant Subclavian Arteries in Adults.

BACKGROUND: Symptoms, imaging characteristics, and early and midterm surgical outcomes for aberrant subclavian arteries (ASCA) are not well defined in the adult population. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective review was conducted of adults undergoing surgical repair of ASCA and descending aorta origin/Kommerell diverticulum (KD) from January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2021. Symptom improvement and differences in imaging characteristics between anatomic groups and the number of symptoms were assessed. RESULTS: Mean age was 46 ± 17 years. There were 23 of 37 left aortic arches with right ASCA (62%) and 14 of 37 right aortic arches with left ASCA (38%). Of these, 31 of 37 (84%) were symptomatic, and 19 of 37 (51%) had KD size/growth meeting criteria for surgical repair. KD aortic origin diameter was larger in more symptomatic patients: 20.60 mm (interquartile range [IQR], 16.42-30.68 mm) in patients with ≥3 symptoms vs 22.05 mm (IQR, 17.52-24.21 mm) for 2 symptoms vs 13.72 mm (IQR, 12.70-15.95 mm) for 1 symptom (P = .018). Aortic replacement was required in 22 of 37 (59%). There were no early deaths. Complications occurred in 11 of 37 (30%): vocal cord dysfunction (4 of 37 [11%]), chylothorax (3 of 37 [8%]), Horner syndrome (2 of 37 [5%]), spinal deficit (2 of 37 [5%]), stroke (1 of 37 [3%]), and temporary dialysis requirement (1 of 37 [3%]). Over a median follow-up of 2.3 years (IQR, 0.8-3.9 years), there was 1 endovascular reintervention and no reoperations. Dysphagia and shortness of breath resolved in 92% and 89%, respectively, whereas gastroesophageal reflux persisted in 47%. CONCLUSIONS: The KD aortic origin diameter correlates with the number of symptoms, and surgical repair of ASCA and descending aorta origin/KD effectively relieves symptoms, with low rates of reintervention. Given the operative complexity, surgical repair should be performed in patients meeting size criteria or with significant dysphagia or shortness of breath symptoms.