Morphological Features of the Ascending Aorta Remodeling and Activation of Regeneratory Potential in Intima when Forming Aneurysm.

In patients with an ascending aorta aneurysm, restructuring of all its layers and, first of all, the intima and media was revealed. The thickness of the intima was 79.3±63.1 µm in patients with aortic diameter <55 mm (group Ao<55) and 162.7±177.4 µm (p<0.05) in patients with aortic diameter ⩾55 mm (Ao⩾55 group), the thickness of the aortic media was 1184.0±198.2 and 1144.3±288.4 µm, respectively. In patients of the Ao<55 group, aortic dilatation was accompanied by compensatory thickening of the inner and middle layers of the aorta. In the Ao⩾55 group, thinning of the aortic media, fragmentation of elastic fibers, and its cystic degeneration were revealed. c-kit+ Stem cells were detected in the subendothelium of the thickened intima of the dilated ascending aorta. The appearance of c-kit+ cells correlated with intimal remodeling and its colonization with CD34+ and CD44+ myofibroblast-like cells.

[18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT in the diagnosis of vascular graft infection]. / Vozmozhnosti PET/KT S 18F-ftordezoksiglyukozoi v diagnostike infektsii sosudistykh protezov.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate diagnostic role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT in patients with suspected vascular graft (VG) infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective analysis included data of 30 PET/CT examinations for suspected infection of aortic VG (n=27) and bypass grafts (n=3) after surgical treatment (median 48 months). In 77% (23/30) of cases, the diagnosis was initially «possible¼ (n=11) or «rejected¼ (n=12) in accordance with common diagnostic criteria. All PET/CT results were verified by clinical, laboratory and intraoperative («=20) data. VG infection was confirmed in 18 patients and ruled out in 12 cases. RESULTS: PET/CT confirmed VG infection in 94% (17/18) and excluded in 50% (6/12) of cases. False PET/CT results were obtained in 23% (7/30) cases: false positive in 6 cases and false negative in 1 case. Thus, sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of PET/CT were 94%, 50% and 77%, respectively; positive and negative predictive value - 74% and 86%. PET/CT results allowed correct reclassifying 33% (10/30) of cases. VG infection was confirmed in 73% (8/11) of patients with initially «possible¼ diagnosis and excluded in 17% (2/12) of patients with initially «rejected¼ infection. Moreover, whole body PET/CT revealed unknown inflammation foci outside VG in 73% (22/30) of cases. These data were applied to correct treatment approach in 80% (24/30) of cases. CONCLUSION: Our results showed high efficacy of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT in the diagnosis of VG infection. Despite low specificity, this technique has high sensitivity and accuracy that allowed reclassifying 33% of cases.

[Use of temporary arterial shunt in surgery of dissection of the aorta and brachiocephalic arteries]. / Primenenie vremennogo arterial'nogo shunta v khirurgii rassloeniia aorty i brakhiotsefal'nykh arterii.

BACKGROUND: Unsolved problems of cerebral protection in operations on the aortic arch, especially in a combination with extension of dissection to the brachiocephalic arteries determine search for variants making it possible to carry out adequate cerebral perfusion. AIM: To propose a new technique and initial experience of using cerebral perfusion through a temporary shunt from the basin of the left subclavian artery at the stage of prosthetic repair of brachiocephalic arteries. PATIENTS AND METHODS: At the Department of Reconstructive Surgery and Aortic Root of A.N. Bakulev National Medical Research Centre of Cardiovascular Surgery, a total of 6 patients (5 men) with type A aortic dissection underwent a stage of restoration of brachiocephalic arteries with the use of a temporary arterial shunt. The mean age was 48±15 years. The patients had chronic aortic dissection involving brachiocephalic arteries, primary fenestration in the aortic arch. All were found to have signs of chronic cerebrovascular insufficiency (dizziness, loss of consciousness); 2 patients had a history of transitory focal impairments. All patients were subjected to prosthetic repair of the ascending portion, aortic arch and all brachiocephalic arteries in conditions of adaptive perfusion with the use of adaptive loop from arterial lines. Supracoronary reconstruction of the ascending aorta was performed in 4 patients, Bentall operation in 2 subjects, with all undergoing total aortic arch replacement according to the elephant trunk technique. Brachiocephalic arteries were repaired using a trifurcated vascular grafts. RESULTS: Mean duration of cerebral perfusion along the temporary shunt amounted to 34±12 min. At all stages of operation, the level of haemoglobin oxygen saturation (rSO2) according to cerebral oximetry was within the reference values. All patients were discharged averagely on POD 12. CONCLUSION: A novel technique of cerebral perfusion along a temporary shunt will make it possible to extend the capabilities of heart surgeons in complicated combined interventions on the aortic arch and brachiocephalic arteries.