Aortic Arch Debranching and Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR) for Type B Aortic Dissection.

BACKGROUND: Since its introduction, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has revolutionized the treatment of type B aortic dissections (TBADs). However, the proximal aspect of the aortic pathology treated may infringe on the origin of the left subclavian artery or even more proximally. Hence, to ensure durable outcomes, the origin of these vessels needs to be covered, but an extra-anatomical bypass is required to perfuse vital branches, known as aortic arch debranching. This series aims to describe and delineate the disparities of aortic arch debranching during TEVAR for TBAD. METHODS: A retrospective review and analysis of a multicenter international database was conducted to identify patients with TBAD treated with TEVAR between 2005 and 2021. Data analyzed included patient demographics, disease characteristics, operative characteristics, and postoperative outcomes with follow-up on mortality and reintervention. All statistical analyses were carried out using IBM SPSS 26. Patient survival was calculated using a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and a P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 58 patients were included in the analysis, of which 27 (46.6%) presented with complicated disease and 31 were uncomplicated, of which 10 (17.2%) were classed as high risk and 21 (36.2%) low risk. Zone 2 was the most common proximal landing zone for the stent graft. Left subclavian artery bypass was performed selectively (26%), with 1 stroke occurring, likely due to embolic reasons. A further 6 underwent more proximal aortic debranching before TEVAR (10%) and was a significant risk factor for mortality and the number of stents deployed. The overall rates of reintervention and mortality were 17.2% (n = 10) and 29.3% (n = 17). CONCLUSIONS: Aortic arch debranching and TEVAR for TBAD is associated with significant mortality. Future developments to treat aortic arch pathology could incorporate branched graft devices, eliminating the need for debranching, improving stroke rates, and reducing future reinterventions.

Cost Analysis of Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair in Type B Aortic Dissection: How Much Does Quality Cost?

BACKGROUND: Aortic dissection (AD) is a life-threatening medical emergency that affects an estimated 3-4 people per 100,000 annually, with 40% of cases classified as type B AD (TBAD). TBAD can be further classified as being complicated (co-TBAD) or uncomplicated (un-TBAD) based on the presence or absence of certain features such as malperfusion and rupture. TBAD can be managed conservatively with optimal medical therapy (OMT), or invasively with open surgical repair (OSR) or thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), depending on several factors such as type of TBAD and its clinical acuity. The cost-effectiveness, or cost-benefit profile, of these strategies must be given equal consideration. However, TBAD studies featuring cost analyses are limited within the literature. This narrative review aims to address the gap in the literature on cost-effectiveness of TBAD treatments by providing an overview of cost analyses comparing OMT with TEVAR in un-TBAD and TEVAR with OSR in co-TBAD. Another aim is to provide a market analysis of the commercially available TEVAR devices. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed using several search engines including PubMed, Ovid, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Embase to identify and extract relevant studies. RESULTS: Several TEVAR devices are available commercially on the global market costing $12,000-19,495. Nevertheless, the Terumo Aortic RELAY® stent graft seems to be the most cost-effective, yielding highly favourable clinical outcomes. Despite the higher initial cost of TEVAR, evidence in the literature strongly suggest that it is superior to OMT for un-TBAD on the long-term. In addition, TEVAR is well established in the literature as being gold-standard repair technique for co-TBAD, replacing OSR by offering a more optimal cost-benefit profile through lower costs and improved results. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of TEVAR has revolutionized the field of aortovascular surgery by offering a highly efficacious and long-term cost-effective treatment for TBAD.

Ethnic & Sex Disparities in Type B Aortic Dissection Patients Undergoing Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair: An International Perspective.

BACKGROUND: There has been a revolution in the management of type B aortic dissection (TBAD) over the last 2 decades due to the increasing development of endovascular techniques, with the prime example being thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). However, many controversies concerning the use of TEVAR in TBAD exist. For instance, there is little available evidence suggesting any differences in demographics, disease characteristics, intervention technicalities, and clinical outcomes between males and females as well as different ethnicities when undergoing TEVAR for TBAD, both in the short and long term. Also, there is no risk prediction model/tool available. The objective of this international study is to describe and delineate the disparities between male and female patients of different ethnicities in terms of demographics, disease and interventional characteristics, and clinical outcomes. METHODS: Over 17 years a total of 58 TBAD patients were admitted to 2 tertiary vascular centres and treated using TEVAR. Mortality, postoperative complications and reintervention data were recorded for the first 30 days after the procedure as well as during follow-up. Follow-up for all patients lasted until the study endpoint or until a patient's death. Data were analysed retrospectively using IBM SPSS statistical package 26 for Windows. RESULTS: The mean age was similar between the 2 groups, with the majority of patients in both being Caucasian. More than half of the males had complicated TBAD, while the majority of females were classed as having uncomplicated disease. The most commonly utilized proximal and distal landing zone for the TEVAR stent graft was zone 2 and zone 4, respectively. The mean proximal stent diameter was significantly larger in males compared to females (P = 0.004). The difference in mean distal diameter between the 2 groups was insignificant (P = 0.721). The mean total stent coverage of the thoracic aorta was 251.3 mm in male patients compared to 291.2 mm in females (P = 0.203). A total of 32 patients underwent adjunctive procedures. Seven (17%) of the males had one or more postoperative complications compared to 2 (12%) females. Nine (22%) males underwent a reintervention procedure post TEVAR compared to only 1 (6%) female (P = 0.136). Overall, males had a mortality rate of 24% (n = 10) compared to 41% of females (n = 7) (P = 0.201). Estimated survival of males and females post TEVAR was 80.4 ± 9.6 months and 69.7 ± 14.4 months (P = 0.428). For the total population, the number of stent grafts was inversely correlated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the favourable clinical outcomes achieved by TEVAR in TBAD, there remains a grey area concerning its management. Thus, it is important to perform risk stratification of individual patients using their demographics and comorbidities, particularly scrutinizing patient sex and ethnic origin, when considering intervention for TBAD to achieve optimum results.

Uncomplicated Type B Aortic Dissection: Challenges in Diagnosis and Categorization.

BACKGROUND: Acute type B aortic dissection (TBAD) is a rare disease that is likely under-diagnosed in the UK. As a progressive, dynamic clinical entity, many patients initially diagnosed with uncomplicated TBAD deteriorate, developing end-organ malperfusion and aortic rupture (complicated TBAD). An evaluation of the binary approach to the diagnosis and categorisation of TBAD is needed. METHODS: A narrative review of the risk factors predisposing patients to progression from unTBAD to coTBAD was undertaken. RESULTS: Key high-risk features predispose the development of complicated TBAD, such as maximal aortic diameter > 40 mm and partial false lumen thrombosis. CONCLUSION: An appreciation of the factors that predispose to complicated TBAD would aid clinical decision-making surrounding TBAD.

Surgical and endovascular treatment of late postcoarctation repair aortic aneurysms: Results from an international multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: The formation of postaortic coarctation aneurysms (pCoAA) is well-described in the literature and carries a significant risk of rupture and death. Treatment strategies include open surgical, hybrid, and endovascular repair, depending on the clinical presentation, risk assessment, and anatomy. The aim of this study was to report the early and midterm results of open surgical and endovascular repair of pCoAA. METHODS: This is an international multicenter retrospective study including patients who underwent open surgical or endovascular repair for pCoAA between 2000 and 2021 at 14 highly specialized academic cardiovascular centers. The preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 74 patients (46 male; median age, 44 years; interquartile range [IQR], 35-53 years) underwent pCoAA repair. All patients had previously undergone surgical repair of aortic coarctation at a median age of 11 years for the index procedure (IQR, 7-17 years). The most common first surgical correction was synthetic patch aortoplasty in 48 patients, followed by graft interposition in 11. The median pCoAA diameter was 54 mm (IQR, 44-63 mm). The median time from the aortic coarctation repair to the pCoAA diagnosis was 33 years (IQR, 25-40 years). A total of 33 patients had symptoms at presentation, including thoracic or back pain in 8 patients. Open surgical repair was performed in 28 patients, including four frozen elephant trunk procedures and one Bentall. The remaining 46 patients underwent endovascular repair of the pCoAA. Two in-hospital deaths were observed (one frozen elephant trunk and one endovascular). After a median follow-up of 50 months (IQR, 14-127 months), there were a total of seven reinterventions. CONCLUSIONS: This international multicenter study demonstrates that patients with pCoAA can be safely treated with either open surgical or endovascular interventions. Because the median time between the coarctation repair and the aneurysm formation was more than 30 years, life-long surveillance of these patients is warranted.

Type A aortic dissection during in pregnancy: Confront without aversion or delay.

Type A aortic dissection (TAAD) is a life-threatening clinical emergency requiring timely surgical intervention. Concomitant with pregnancy at any stage, it adds an additional level of complexity which mandates careful planning for the management strategy that will yield the optimal outcomes. It is life-threatening pathology to both the mother and fetus, with mortality rates of up to 30% and 50% reported, respectively. Safe imaging modalities that do not expose the fetus to radiation and contrast are recommended to reach an accurate diagnosis. In addition, meticulous multidisciplinary team planning is pivotal to ensure optimal outcomes are achieved through careful choice of surgical technique as well as strict control of medications. Although TAAD in pregnancy is associated with high mortality and morbidity to both the mother and her fetus, success in the treatment of this small subset of patients can certainly be achieved.

Malperfusion syndrome in acute type A aortic dissection: It's not what you know, it's what you can prove!

Organ malperfusion after type A aortic dissection represents a high-risk group for open surgical repair. This is particularly the case when mesenteric ischemia occurs. Central aortic repair should be considered for all presenting with malperfusion as many are due to dynamic obstruction. However, depending on imaging and clinical appearance many should be considered for adjunctive techniques including catheter-based endovascular and even open surgical revascularisation may be appropriate. This is due to as many as 20% with a static component to the malperfusion syndrome. Improving methods of ascertaining the type of malperfusion being treated and presenting symptoms requires a multidisciplinary team with access to a hybrid theater where all techniques can be accessed 24/7. This would only be achieved by centralization of vascular units whereby sufficient funding and organization are in place to deal with the consequences of this unpredictable and invariably deadly aortic pathology.

Coronary artery involvement in type A aortic dissection: Fate of the coronaries.

BACKGROUND: Type A aortic dissection (TAAD) involves a tear in the intimal layer of the thoracic aorta proximal to the left subclavian artery, and hence, carries a high risk of mortality and morbidity and requires urgent intervention. This dissection can extend into the main coronary arteries. Coronary artery involvement in TAAD can either be due to retrograde extension of the dissection flap into the coronaries or compression and/or blockage of these vessels by the dissection flap, possibly causing myocardial ischemia. Due to the emergent nature of TAAD, coronary involvement is often missed during diagnosis, thereby delaying the required intervention. AIMS: The main scope of this review is to summarize the literature on the incidence, mechanism, diagnosis, and treatment of coronary artery involvement in TAAD. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed using multiple electronic databases, including PubMed, Ovid, Scopus and Embase, to identify and extract relevant studies. RESULTS: Incidence of coronary artery involvement in TAAD was seldom reported in the literature, however, some studies have described patients diagnosed either preoperatively, intraoperatively following aortic clamping, or even during autopsy. Among the few studies that reported on this matter, the treatment choice for coronary involvement in TAAD was varied, with the majority revascularizing the coronary arteries using coronary artery bypass grafting or direct local repair of the vessels. It is well-established that coronary artery involvement in TAAD adds to the already high mortality and morbidity associated with this disease. Lastly, the right main coronary artery was often more implicated than the left. CONCLUSION: This review reiterates the significance of an accurate diagnosis and timely and effective interventions to improve prognosis. Finally, further large cohort studies and longer trials are needed to reach a definitive consensus on the best approach for coronary involvement in TAAD.

The misnomer of uncomplicated type B aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND: Acute type B aortic dissection (TBAD) is a rare condition that can be divided into complicated (CoTBAD) and uncomplicated (UnCoTBAD) based on certain presenting clinical and radiological features, with UnCoTBAD constituting the majority of TBAD cases. The classification of TBAD directly affects the treatment pathway taken, however, there remains confusion as to exactly what differentiates complicated from uncomplicated TBAD. AIMS: The scope of this review is to delineate the literature defining the intervention parameters for UnCoTBAD. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using multiple electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE to collate and summarize all research evidence on intervention parameters and protocols for UnCoTBAD. RESULTS: A TBAD without evidence of malperfusion or rupture might be classified as uncomplicated but there remains a subgroup who might exhibit high-risk features. Two clinical features representative of "high risk" are refractory pain and persistent hypertension. First-line treatment for CoTBAD is TEVAR, and whilst this has also proven its safety and effectiveness in UnCoTBAD, it is still being managed conservatively. However, TBAD is a dynamic pathology and a significant proportion of UnCoTBADs can progress to become complicated, thus necessitating more complex intervention. While the "high-risk" UnCoTBAD do benefit the most from TEVAR, yet, the defining parameters are still debatable as this benefit can be extended to a wider UnCoTBAD population. CONCLUSION: Uncomplicated TBAD remains a misnomer as it is frequently representative of a complex ongoing disease process requiring very close monitoring in a critical care setting. A clear diagnostic pathway may improve decision making following a diagnosis of UnCoTBAD. Choice of treatment still predominantly depends on when an equilibrium might be reached where the risks of TEVAR outweigh the natural history of the dissection in both the short- and long-term.

Cardiothoracic surgery leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.

Cardiothoracic surgery is facing a multitude of challenges in leadership and training on the global scale, these being a complex and aging patient population, shortage of cardiac surgeons, diminishing student interest and trainee enthusiasm, increasingly challenging training obstacles and work-life imbalances, suboptimal job prospects, reports of discrimination and bullying and lack of diversity as well as gap between innovation and technology, clinical application, and training of future surgeons. The survival of cardiac surgery hinges on the leadership attracting and retaining young surgeons into the specialty. Mentoring, leading through example, recognizing the work-life imbalances, adapting to diverse and modern training models and embracing diversity with respect to gender and race, will ultimately be required to create and cultivate a nurturing environment of training and preparing future leaders. The vision for training future generations of cardiothoracic surgeons must rely heavily on strengthening the unity of the heart team. In doing so we can provide the best possible care for our patients and a most fulfilling career for the future generation of cardiac surgeons.

COVID-19: An Indian perspective.

Lockdown, quarantine, self-isolation, personal protection equipment, and social distancing have become words of daily usage ever since the world health organization declared coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a pandemic. The impact of COVID-19 extends over the medical field, economy, education, and politics. Though the knowledge of the virus is evolving, we are yet to find a solution. India, country with the second largest population, went into a phase of lockdown from 25th March 2020 to 31st May 2020. There was phased measure to "Unlock" starting from 1st June 2020. This has affected the clinical practice and training of the resident. The challenges faced during this unprecedented time are multifaceted which includes overcrowding, healthcare system, and educational background. Indian Association of Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgeons kept continuing the educational program through a series of "Masterclass."

Prosthetic valve sparing aortic root replacement-A persuasive option in well-functioning aortic valve prosthesis.

OBJECTIVES: Only limited data is available on prosthetic valve sparing aortic root replacement after aortic valve replacement. The aim of the present study was to assess the short- and midterm outcomes of the patients who underwent such procedures. METHODS: From June 2004 to March 2018, 21 patients underwent this procedure. The mean age was 51.2 ± 10.2 years with a male predominance (85.7%). The mean time interval from aortic valve replacement to the present surgery was 10.62 years. RESULTS: One patient died in immediate postoperative period who was taken up for emergency surgery-acute type A aortic dissection. Kaplan-Meier estimates of 1, 3, and 5 year survival were 95.2% ± 0.04%, 85.7% ± 0.07% and 85.7% ± 0.07%, respectively. No cardiac or aortic reinterventions were performed during follow up with a 100% freedom from reoperation at 5 years. Fifteen patients (71.43%) had aortopathy and had borderline pathology at the time of first surgery, with all of them having a tear either in the aortic sinuses or pervious aortotomy site. CONCLUSION: The favorable short and midterm results suggests that prosthetic valve sparing aortic root replacement is a valid option when possible. Utmost care has to be taken at the primary surgery especially in patients with aortopathy, trying to avoid the need for a second surgery.

Paving the way for E-vita open NEO hybrid prosthesis implantation for complex aortic arch disease in Asia-Pacific.

We report first in man implantations of the newly designed Evita-open-NEO hybrid prosthesis for complex aortic arch disease from three different countries in Asia-Pacific including instructions on how to proceed with perioperative coagulation management.

Left subclavian artery management in frozen elephant trunk: A novel technique.

Proximilization of frozen elephant trunk (FET) necessitates the ligation and reimplantation of the left subclavian artery (LSA), the origin of which is distal and posterior, make rerouting difficult and cumbersome. We describe a rather simple technique for subclavian artery exposure and effective anatomical reconstruction in the mediastinum coupled with hybrid FET utilization for aortic aneurysm in elective and nonelective settings. The division of the sternocleidomastoid coupled with the sandbag behind the left shoulder brings the LSA superficial enabling anastomosis without any difficulty.

Practical Considerations of Remote Care in Thoracic Aortopathy in India.

Background: Thoracic aortopathy includes conditions like aortic aneurysms and dissections, posing significant management challenges. In India, care delivery is complicated by geographic vastness, financial constraints, and healthcare resource disparities. Telemedicine and digital health technologies offer promising solutions. Methods: A comprehensive review of literature and clinical experiences was conducted to explore the implementation of remote care strategies for thoracic aortopathy in India. The review included studies from 2000 to 2023 and insights from cardiothoracic specialists. Results: Remote care benefits include improved access to specialized expertise, enhanced patient engagement, and optimized resource utilization. Telemedicine enables consultations without travel, and remote monitoring facilitates early intervention. However, challenges like technology integration, digital literacy, patient engagement, privacy concerns, and regulatory compliance need addressing. Discussion: Telemedicine offers significant advantages but requires overcoming challenges to ensure effective, secure care. Careful planning for technology integration, patient education, robust privacy measures, and supportive regulatory policies are essential. Addressing these issues can bridge the healthcare access gap and improve outcomes in India's diverse landscape.

Stanford type B aortic dissection in a patient with aberrant right subclavian artery.

An aberrant right subclavian artery is a rare aortic arch anomaly where the right subclavian artery arises from the proximal part of the descending thoracic aorta and distal to origin of left subclavian artery. It usually courses behind the esophagus. Type B aortic dissection along with aberrant right subclavian artery is not common. A middle-aged man presented with complaints of epigastric pain and on evaluation was found to have aberrant right subclavian artery with type B aortic dissection. A total arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk surgery and an extra-anatomic bypass of right subclavian artery were performed. Type B aortic dissection is more often an incidental finding and its association with aberrant right subclavian artery is unusual. Such association should be identified and treated accordingly to avert clinical complications.

Thoraflex Hybrid Prosthesis (THP): the profile.

INTRODUCTION: With the incidence of thoracic aortic disease on the rise, total arch replacement (TAR) with frozen elephant trunk (FET) remains the gold-standard management strategy due to optimal results. Several FET devices exist commercially on the global market. However, the mainstay and most commonly used and reported device is the Thoraflex Hybrid Prosthesis (THP), with several recent reports suggesting its superiority. AREAS COVERED: This review aims to collate and summarize the evidence in the literature on the clinical outcomes of TAR with FET using THP, with a focus on mortality, neurological complications, endoleak, distal stent-induced new entry (dSINE), aortic remodeling, coagulopathy, and graft kinking. In addition, the design features of THP is discussed, and an overview of market competitors is also highlighted. EXPERT OPINION: THP consistently demonstrates its effectiveness in treating complex thoracic aortic pathology through favorable clinical outcomes, which can be attributed to its unique and innovative design. Rates of early mortality ranged 0.6-14.2%, neurological complications 0-25%, endoleak 0-8.4% and dSINE 0-14.5%, with minimal incidence of graft kinking and coagulopathy. Aortic remodeling is favorable and comparable to competitors. All this evidence solidifies THP as the leading FET device, particularly when combined with appropriate patient selection and surgical planning.

Open aortic arch surgery-how we do it.

Open aortic arch surgery is still challenging even in the present era with the Achilles' heel being the neurological complication. The variety of approaches and surgical techniques used to reconstruct the aortic arch, protecting the vital organs, the extent of aortic replacement, and the options of reimplanting the supra-aortic arch vessels indicate the challenges involved in the procedure. Though open surgery still remains the 'gold standard', in the last two decades, endo-prostheses and stents have emerged as alternate options. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12055-023-01574-9.