CT-derived coronary artery calcium density is affected by regional lesion distribution and image reconstruction parameters.

PURPOSE: The prognostic relevance of coronary artery calcium (CAC) density, assessed from cardiac CT scans, is established. However, the influence of CAC distribution, volume, image reconstruction, and clinical factors on CAC density warrants further examination. METHODS: In this study, 120 patients underwent non-contrast ECG-gated cardiac CT scans using a prospectively defined CAC scoring protocol with 1-, 3-, and 5-mm thick image reconstructions, both with and without a 20% image overlap. We segmented CAC in all reconstructions and assessed the relationship between CAC density, volume, and number of detected calcifications/patient. RESULTS: Overall, 75/120 (63%) patients (66% men, mean age 63 ± 11 years) presented CAC across 342 segments. CAC density, CAC volume, and the number of detected calcifications decreased with increasing slice thickness (p < 0.001 for all); these effects were slightly reduced by image overlap (p < 0.001 for all). Higher CAC density correlated with greater CAC volume (ρ = 0.62; p < 0.001) and more calcified segments per person (ρ = 0.32; p = 0.006). Higher CAC density was also associated with lower patient weight (beta: -0.6, 95%CI: -1.1--0.1, p = 0.022) and increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels (beta: 0.7, 95%CI: 0.0-1.4, p = 0.046). In a multivariable analysis adjusted for clinical covariates, lower CAC density was associated with broader CAC distribution (i.e., a higher number of calcified segments at a given CAC volume; beta-coefficient: -58.9; 95%CI: -84.7 to -33.1; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: CAC density is significantly impacted by regional CAC distribution and image reconstruction, potentially confounding its prognostic value. Accounting for these factors may improve patient risk assessment, management, and cardiovascular health outcomes.

Long-term outcomes after aortic root repair using selective sinus replacement.

OBJECTIVES: The study aim was to evaluate long-term results after anatomic restoration of the aortic root. METHODS: During an 18-year period, a total of 669 patients underwent valve-sparing root repair (aneurysm 554, dissection 115) using selective sinus replacement. None/trivial, mild, moderate, and severe (grades 3+ and 4+) insufficiency were present in 57, 146, 204, and 262 patients, respectively. RESULTS: The anatomic repair was adjusted to the existing aortic annulus diameter, which was 27.0 ± 3.0 mm on average. Replacement of 1, 2, or 3 sinuses of Valsalva was performed in 209, 234, and 226 patients, respectively. Altogether, 454 additional procedures on the cusps were performed, mostly as cusp patch plasty with pericardium (210). Thirty-day mortality was 0.6%. The mean follow-up duration was 7.1 ± 4.1 years (range, 0.01-19.1 years). The estimated freedom from relevant aortic insufficiency grade 3+ or greater (15 events) was 98% ± 1%, 97% ± 1%, and 94% ± 3% at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. On echocardiogram, no patient revealed a considerable change of the form or size of the repaired root, which was confirmed radiologically in 160 patients who received computed tomography angiography for any reason. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified cusp prolapse/pseudo-prolapse as the only independent risk factor for the development of recurrent insufficiency grade 2+ or greater (41 occurrences), with a hazard ratio of 3.258 (95% confidence interval, 1.658-6.403; P = .001). An association between aortic annulus size and functional results could not be demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: Patient-tailored root repair using isolated sinus replacement offers excellent functional long-term results regardless of underlying root pathology or annulus size. Aortic cusp pathology was decisive for long-term valve function.

Selective sinus replacement for aortic root repair in bicuspid aortopathy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the results after selective sinus replacement (SSR) for aortic root remodeling in bicuspid aortopathy. METHODS: Among 662 patients who underwent root repair using SSR between 2005 and 2020, there were 114 with bicuspid aortopathy. SSR was performed either as an isolated procedure (31) or as an adjunct to aortic valve repair (83) and was adjusted to the existing aortic annulus diameter rather than a downsized diameter. In valves with asymmetrical commissural orientation, the repair aimed for the achievement of a 180°-commissural orientation. RESULTS: Abolishment of aortic insufficiency (AI) ≥2+ using root repair alone was only possible in 2 patients with acute-dissection-related AI, yet isolated root repair was also performed in 29 further patients with no/mild AI. All remaining patients with AI ≥2+ presented cusp-related regurgitation and necessitated an additional valve repair. During the mean follow-up of 91 months (range, 13-196), a relevant valve defect (AI ≥3+ in 8, stenosis in 2) occurred in 10 patients (all after combined repair) resulting in an estimated freedom from a relevant aortic valve defect and/or reoperation of 96 ± 2%, 89 ± 4%, and 82 ± 6% at 5, 10, and 12 years, respectively. Echocardiographically, no patient revealed a considerable change of form or size of the repaired root nor was any root reintervention necessary. CONCLUSIONS: Patient-tailored root repair using SSR is a very effective and durable valve-sparing approach for bicuspid aortopathy. Aortic cusp repair is decisive for both abolishment of AI in bicuspid aortopathy and for the functional durability of the repaired aortic valve.

Quality and safety of coronary computed tomography angiography at academic and non-academic sites: insights from a large European registry (ESCR MR/CT Registry).

OBJECTIVES: To compare the use of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) between academic and non-academic sites across Europe over the last decade. METHODS: We analyzed a large multicenter registry (ESCR MR/CT Registry) of stable symptomatic patients who received CCTA 01/2010-01/2020 at 47 (22%) academic and 165 (78%) non-academic sites across 19 European countries. We compared image quality, radiation dose, contrast-media-related adverse events, patient characteristics, CCTA findings, and downstream testing between academic and non-academic sites. RESULTS: Among 64,317 included patients (41% female; 60 ± 13 years), academic sites accounted for most cases in 2010-2014 (52%), while non-academic sites dominated in 2015-2020 (71%). Despite less contemporary technology, non-academic sites maintained low radiation doses (4.76 [2.46-6.85] mSv) with a 30% decline of high-dose scans ( > 7 mSv) over time. Academic and non-academic sites both reported diagnostic image quality in 98% of cases and low rate of scan-related adverse events (0.4%). Academic and non-academic sites examined similar patient populations (41% females both; age: 61 ± 14 vs. 60 ± 12 years; pretest probability for obstructive CAD: low 21% vs. 23%, intermediate 73% vs. 72%, high 6% both, CAD prevalence on CCTA: 40% vs. 41%). Nevertheless, non-academic sites referred more patients to non-invasive ischemia testing (6.5% vs. 4.2%) and invasive coronary angiography/surgery (8.5% vs. 5.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Non-academic and academic sites provide safe, high-quality CCTA across Europe, essential to successfully implement the recently updated guidelines for the diagnosis and management of chronic coronary syndromes. However, despite examining similar populations with comparable CAD prevalence, non-academic sites tend to refer more patients to downstream testing. KEY POINTS: • Smaller non-academic providers increasingly use CCTA to rule out obstructive coronary artery disease. • Non-academic and academic sites provide comparably safe, high-quality CCTA across Europe. • Compared to academic sites, non-academic sites tend to refer more patients to downstream testing.

Complete closure of coronary fistula communicating with the descending aorta.

We report a rare case of complex coronary fistula that contained two aneurysms and was connected to the descending aorta. The fistula was also associated with further aortic pathologies necessitating surgery. Preoperative computed tomography angiography, which revealed an abnormal vessel communication, was crucial for choosing the appropriate operative strategy. During a one-stage procedure comprising closure of both arterial (aortic and coronary) fistula origins and repair of the aortic valve and thoracic aorta, the coronary origin of the fistula was ligated and the frozen elephant trunk technique was used to close the aortic origin.

Ascending aorta replacement in patients with coronary ostia localized above the sinotubular junction.

OBJECTIVES: The study objective was to describe the technique and outcomes of original coronary ostial slide plasty in patients with anomalous coronary artery origin (ACAO) localized in the aneurysmal ascending aorta (AA) being replaced because of its isolated pathology and otherwise non-pathological aortic root. METHODS: A total of 23 patients (median age 52 years) with the ascending phenotype of proximal aorta aneurysm and ACAO of at least 1 coronary artery localized in the AA being replaced underwent ostial slide plasty to transpose the ACAO to the respective sinus of Valsalva and, consequently, to allow an AA replacement with placement of the proximal anastomosis at the level of the sinotubular junction (STJ). In 15 patients, the aortic valve was bicuspid, and all but 3 patients presented with a relevant valve defect. In addition to remodelling the STJs (all patients), valve-sparing repair or replacement was performed in 12 and 8 patients, respectively. RESULTS: No patient died during the entire follow-up (median 72, range 3-183 months). One patient required replacement of a recurrently insufficient valve that was repaired primarily using cusp patch plasty, but there were no further cardiac reoperations nor any re-interventions on the proximal aorta, aortic valve and/or coronary artery ostia. Two patients received peripheral coronary stents (8 and 7 years after surgery, respectively) due to coronary heart disease. CONCLUSIONS: Transposition of the ACAO from the replaced AA into the normal sinus of Valsalva using the ostial slide plasty offers a simple and safe surgical option enabling a recreation of a durable STJ at the level of the anastomosis between the root and the aortic graft.

Correlation of magnetic resonance imaging and post-ablation endoscopy to detect oesophageal thermal injury in patients after atrial fibrillation ablation: MRI-EDEL-study.

AIMS: To correlate oesophageal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities with ablation-induced oesophageal injury detected in endoscopy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ablation-naïve patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), who underwent ablation using a contact force sensing irrigated radiofrequency ablation catheter, received a cardiac MRI on the day of ablation, and post-ablation oesophageal endoscopy (OE) 1 day after ablation. Two MRI expert readers recorded presence of abnormal oesophageal tissue signal intensities, defined as increased oesophageal signal in T2-fat-saturated (T2fs), short-tau inversion-recovery (STIR), or late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) sequences. Oesophageal endoscopy was performed by experienced operators. Finally, we correlated the presence of any affection with endoscopically detected oesophageal thermal lesions (EDEL). Among 50 consecutive patients (age 67 ± 7 years, 60% male), who received post-ablation MRI and OE, complete MRI data were available in 44 of 50 (88%) patients. In OE, 7 of 50 (14%) presented with EDEL (Category 1 lesion: erosion n = 3, Category 2 lesion: ulcer n = 4). Among those with EDEL, 6 of 7 (86%) patients presented with increased signal intensities in all three MRI sequences, while only 2 of 37 (5%) showed hyperintensities in all three MRI sequences and negative endoscopy. Correspondingly, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value (NPV) for MRI (increased signal in T2fs, STIR, and LGE) were 86%, 95%, 75%, and 97%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Increased signal intensity in T2fs, STIR, and LGE represents independent markers of EDEL. In particular, the combination of all three has the highest diagnostic value. Hence, MRI may represent an accurate, non-invasive method to exclude acute oesophageal injury after AF ablation (NPV: 97%).

The role of computed tomography in the diagnostic pathway of acute mesenteric ischemia: a nested case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) can be used as the primary screening modality for the evaluation of patients suspected of having acute mesenteric ischemia known to show high sensitivity and specificity rates. PURPOSE: To prove the value of CT in patients with pathological abdominal findings following cardiac surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a retrospective case-control study, 12 different CT scan parameters of patients with or without mesenteric ischemia following cardiac surgery were compared using univariate and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Of 14,176 patients, 133 (0.9%) received an abdominal CT scan during postoperative care due to pathological abdominal findings. Sixty-eight patients were diagnosed with acute mesenteric ischemia. In-hospital mortality was 73.5% for this group. CT parameters with the highest specificity for indicating colonic ischemia were intestinal (99%) or porto-venous (96%) pneumatosis, abnormal contrast medium enhancement (89%), and occlusion of the proximal inferior mesenteric artery (81%). All of those parameters showed low sensitivity levels in the range of 15%-23%. A statistically significant association between acute mesenteric ischemia and CT appearance was obtained for contrast medium enhancement (odds ratio [OR] 12.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5-99.2) and intestinal pneumatosis (OR 21.0, 95% CI 2.7-165.2) only. CONCLUSION: The typical CT criteria indicating mesenteric ischemia lose their accuracy in patients under critical clinical conditions. As CT remains the first-line diagnostic imaging modality for abnormal abdominal findings following cardiac surgery, negative signs should not prevent early laparotomy if clinical suspicion remains high.

Computed tomography improves the differentiation of infectious mediastinitis from normal postoperative changes after sternotomy in cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To identify CT parameters independently associated with infectious mediastinitis after cardiac surgery and to improve the discrimination of patients with acute infection from those with normal postoperative changes. METHODS: In this single-center, retrospective, observational cohort study, we evaluated thoracic CT scans of poststernotomy cardiac surgery patients. Inclusion criteria were clinically suspected mediastinitis, unclear CT signs (e.g., retrosternal mass), and subsequent deep revision surgery. Revision surgery and microbiological samples determined the mediastinitis status. Overall, 22 qualitative and quantitative CT imaging parameters were assessed and associated with infectious mediastinitis in univariate and multivariate regression models. Discriminative capacity and incremental value of the CT features to available clinical parameters were determined by AUC and likelihood-ratio tests, respectively. RESULTS: Overall 105 patients (82% men; 67.0 ± 10.3 years) underwent CT and deep revision surgery. Mediastinitis was confirmed in 83/105 (79%) patients. Among available clinical parameters, only C-reactive protein (CRP) was independently associated with infectious mediastinitis (multivariate odds ratio (OR) (per standard deviation) = 2.3; p < 0.001). In the CT, the presence of free gas, pleural effusions, and brachiocephalic lymph node size were independently associated with mediastinitis (multivariate ORs = 1.3-6.3; p < 0.001-0.039). Addition of these CT parameters to CRP increased the model fit significantly (X2 = 17.9; p < 0.001; AUC, 0.83 vs. 0.73). CONCLUSION: The presence of free gas, pleural effusions, and brachiocephalic lymph node size in CT is independently associated with infectious mediastinitis in poststernotomy patients with retrosternal mass. These imaging features may help to differentiate mediastinitis from normal postoperative changes beyond traditional clinical parameters such as CRP. KEY POINTS: • Presence of free gas, pleural effusions, and brachiocephalic lymph node size on CT are associated independently with infectious mediastinitis. • Combination of these CT parameters increases the discriminatory capacity of clinical parameters such as CRP.

Innominate artery pathology in the setting of aortic arch surgery: incidences, surgical considerations and operative outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidences of innominate artery (IA) involvement in aortic arch pathology necessitating surgery, the surgical strategies and the operative results. METHODS: Among the 366 patients who underwent total/subtotal arch replacement because of non-acutely dissected aortic pathology between 2004 and June 2017, there were 46 (12.6%) patients (29 males; mean age 69 ± 10, range 35-84 years) with IA involvement. Pathologies necessitating replacement of the IA were chronic aneurysm including progression of chronic dissection, severe atherosclerosis with or without an aneurysmatic dilatation, and inflammatory vasculitis in 34, 11 and 1 patient, respectively. All data were collected prospectively, and intention-to-treat analysis was performed. RESULTS: All patients underwent total/subtotal aortic arch replacement using unilateral cerebral perfusion (mean duration 44.6 ± 15.7 min) under mild hypothermia (30.6 ± .4°C). In addition to arch and IA replacement, repair of one or two further supra-aortic arteries was performed in 20 and 23 patients, respectively. One patient underwent complete thoracic aorta replacement via clamshell thoracotomy. The aortic valve, which was the most frequent object of concomitant surgery, was replaced in 18 (including 3 valve composite-grafts) and repaired in 20 (18 valve-sparing root repairs) patients. Early (30-day and/or in-hospital) mortality was 0. The rate of permanent neurological deficit was 2.2% (1 patient with a huge, partially thrombosed arch and innominate aneurysm). Transient neurological dysfunctions such as agitation were observed in 6 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Involvement of the IA in aortic arch surgery is not infrequent, and its concomitant replacement using well-considered cannulation, perfusion and surgical strategy offers excellent operative outcomes.

Transapical Mitral Valve Implantation for Native Mitral Valve Stenosis Using a Balloon-Expandable Prosthesis.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter mitral valve implantation (TMVI) is still in its infancy and is mainly limited to valve-in-valve or valve-in-ring implantations. We present the early experience with TMVI for severe calcified native MV stenosis. METHODS: Between January 2014 and June 2015, 6 of 11 patients screened (mean age, 77.4 ± 6.3 years; 66% men) with severe native mitral valve (MV) stenosis (mean gradient [Pmean], 11.1 ± 2.1 mm Hg; mean effective orifice area [EOA], 0.9 ± 0.12 cm2) underwent transcatheter MV replacement at our institution as a bailout procedure. Conventional surgical procedures were denied in all patients because of severe annular calcification and extensive comorbidities (mean logistic EuroScore, 31.4% ± 8.3%). The Edwards SAPIEN 3 (29 mm) (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) was used in all cases. Procedural access was transapical in 5 cases and concomitant to aortic valve replacement through the left atrium through a sternotomy in 1 case. RESULTS: Initial implantation was successful in 100% of the cases. Because of early migration, 1 patient needed a valve-in-valve procedure. Postoperative echocardiography showed no residual mitral regurgitation in 4 cases (66%) and mild regurgitation in 2 cases (34%). Mean gradients were reduced to 4.2 ± 0.6 mm Hg (mean EOA, 2.8 ± 0.4 cm2). No patient had a stroke during hospitalization, and 30-day mortality was seen in 1 patient (17%) resulting from pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: TMV implantation using the SAPIEN 3 aortic prosthesis in patients with heavy annular calcification is feasible and represents a reasonable bailout option for inoperable patients. However, several limitations need to be considered in this special patient population.

Analysis of circumflex artery anatomy by real time 3D transesophageal echocardiography compared to cardiac computed tomography.

Iatrogenic injury to the circumflex artery (Cx) due to its close proximity to the mitral annulus is a rare but dreadful complication that can occur during mitral valve repair. The aim of our study was to compare multiple measurements of the Cx datasets, obtained by real time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT3D TEE) and corresponding measurements assessed in multi-planar three-dimensional images acquired by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). Preoperative RT3D TEE and MDCT datasets of 25 patients who had previously undergone minimally invasive mitral valve surgery were retrospectively analyzed. The vessel diameter and the horizontal as well as vertical distances from the center of the Cx to the mitral valve annulus were measured. Horizontal as well as vertical Cx distances showed a strong correlation between measurements of RT3D TEE and MDCT whereas the measurements of the Cx diameter showed no correlation. Measurements of horizontal and vertical distances of the Cx to the mitral annulus can be performed using RT3D TEE and show good correlation with MDCT-based measurements.

Postoperative Changes in the Distal Residual Aorta after Surgery for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection: Impact of False Lumen Patency and Size of Descending Aorta.

Objective In the present study, we retrospectively identified and analyzed the factors that influenced progressive dilatation of the residual distal aorta after surgical repair for acute type A aortic dissection (acute type A). Methods A total of 477 patients underwent surgical repair for acute type A aortic dissection between 1995 and 2012. Postoperative and follow-up computed tomography (CT) scans of the descending aorta were available in 105 patients. We analyzed the maximum aortic diameter, total luminal area, and true luminal area of the descending thoracic and abdominal aorta. Results The mean follow-up time was 4.5 ± 3 years, and the mean time interval between CT scan investigations was 2.0 ± 2.3 years. A residual dissection membrane was observed in 80 (76%) patients, with presence of a patent false lumen (FL) in 52 patients (50%) and a thrombosed FL in 28 patients (26%).Progression of aortic disease with an increase in aortic diameter greater than 10 mm was observed in 14.3% (n = 15) of patients during follow-up. The independent predictors that influenced progressive dilation of the descending aorta by 10 mm or more were postoperative descending aortic diameter greater than 40 mm (p = 0.006; odds ratio [OR], 5.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6-19) and postoperative patent FL (p = 0.002; OR, 8.5; 95% CI, 2.2-32.3).The unadjusted 1- and 5-year freedom from reoperation was 96.9 ± 2 and 80.1 ± 5%, respectively. Marfan syndrome (p = 0.006; OR, 5.2; 95% CI, 1.6-16.9) and postoperative descending aortic diameter greater than 40 mm (p = 0.07; OR, 4.1; 95% CI, 1.4-11.6) were independent predictors of aorta-related reoperations.The mean survival at 1, 5, and 8 years was 90.7 ± 3, 82.5 ± 4, and 70 ± 6%, respectively. Previous cardiac surgery was independent predictor of midterm survival (hazard ratio, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.03-2.8; p = 0.04). Conclusions A regular follow-up CT scan is mandatory to assess progressive dilatation of the distal residual aortic arch, descending thoracic, and abdominal aorta after surgical repair of acute type A dissection, particularly in patients with a patent FL, descending aortic diameter greater than 40 mm, and/or Marfan syndrome.

Valve-in-Valve Replacement Using a Sutureless Aortic Valve.

BACKGROUND We present a unique case of a 61-year-old female patient with homograft deterioration after redo surgery for prosthetic valve endocarditis with root abscess. CASE REPORT The first operation was performed for type A dissection with root, arch, and elephant trunk replacement of the thoracic aorta. The present re-redo surgery was performed as valve-in-valve with a sutureless aortic bioprosthesis. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged on day 6. CONCLUSIONS The current case report demonstrates that sutureless bioprostheses are an attractive option for surgical valve-in-valve procedures, which can reduce morbidity and mortality.

Aortic valve calcium score for paravalvular aortic insufficiency (AVCS II) study in transapical aortic valve implantation.

BACKGROUND: Transapical aortic valve implantation (TAAVI) has evolved into a routine procedure for select high-risk patients. The aim was to study the impact of native aortic valve calcification on paravalvular leaks in cardiac contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). METHODS: The degree and distribution of valve calcification were quantified using an Aortic Valve Calcium Score (AVCS) for each cusp separately (3mensio Valves). To reduce an artificial increase of the AVCS due to the presence of contrast material, we used thresholds for density [mean aortic density + 2*SD] and volume [0, 3, 5, 25, and 50 mm3] of calcification. RESULTS: 111 consecutive patients prior to TAAVI with preoperative CT aged 79.8 ± 5.8 years were included using the Edwards Sapien prosthesis. Paravalvular leaks were significantly associated with eccentric calcified plaques (r [Spearman] = 0.37; χ2-statistic = 15.4; P = .002), presence of LVOT calcium (r [Spearman] = 0.28; χ2-statistic = 11.3; P = .009), and the commissural gap at the anatomic ventriculo-arterial junction (r [Spearman] = 0.41-0.63; χ2-statistic = 50.8-53.0; P = .002-≤.001). There was no significant association between the total AVCS and PV leaks (r [Spearman] = 0.076; χ2-statistic = 1.471; P = .240, 120 kV, 850 hounsfield units) with no additional use of a volume-based threshold. CONCLUSION: Asymmetry of leaflet calcium distribution, LVOT calcium, and the commissural gap between leaflets were significantly associated with paravalvular leaks. Moreover, quantification of aortic valve calcification in contrast enhanced CTs shows only a weak correlation with paravalvular leakage and is therefore not reliable as a predictor, respectively.

Extra-anatomic revascularization for preoperative cerebral malperfusion due to distal carotid artery occlusion in acute type A aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVES: Management of patients with acute aortic dissection type A (AADA) and cerebral malperfusion secondary to occlusion or stenosis of the left common carotid artery (LCCA) or right common carotid artery (RCCA) is a significant challenge. The aim of this study is to present our institutional strategy and postoperative results for this high-risk patient cohort. METHODS: Between November 2005 and July 2013, 23 of 354 consecutively operated AADA patients [median age: 66.3; interquartile range (IQR): 55.2-69.9] suffered from cerebral malperfusion due to bilateral (n = 1) or unilateral occlusion of the LCCA/RCCA (n = 22). AADA repair comprised hemi- (n = 14) or total (n = 9) arch replacement in combination with aortic valve repair (n = 7) or replacement (n = 11), root replacement (n = 15) and coronary bypass (n = 3). Extra-anatomic aorto-carotid bypass was performed in all patients. Aorto-carotid bypass was performed at the beginning of the procedure to allow for unilateral selective cerebral perfusion (n = 17; 73.9%) or during the procedure if persisting malperfusion was suspected by near-infrared spectroscopy (n = 6; 26.1%). RESULTS: The median follow-up was 15.2 months (IQR: 4.8-34.1) and 100% complete. Median hospital stay and ICU stay were 16.0 (IQR: 12.5-26.0) and 13.7 (IQR: 2.0-16.5) days, respectively. Rethoracotomy for haemorrhage or cardiac tamponade was performed in 6 (26.1%) patients. Other postoperative complications comprised low cardiac output with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (n = 2; 8.7%), sepsis (n = 4; 17.4%), respiratory insufficiency (n = 10; 43.5%), renal failure with temporary dialysis (n = 7; 30.4%) and visceral malperfusion (n = 2; 8.7%) requiring stent grafting (n = 1) or laparotomy with intestinal resection (n = 1). New stroke with or without permanent sensory or motor deficit was diagnosed in 8 (34.8%) patients. Temporary neurological deficits were seen in 9 (39.1%) individuals. Hospital and 1-year mortality rates were 13.0 and 30.4%, respectively. Overall survival after 36 months of the 23 patients (Group I = Extra-anatomic bypass) versus the remaining 331 AADA patients without distal RCCA/LCCA occlusion (Group II = no extra-anatomic bypass) was 69.6% (n = 16) in Group I vs 72.5% (n = 240) in Group II (P = 0.90). CONCLUSION: Extra-anatomic bypass for LCCA or RCCA occlusion allows for early selective cerebral perfusion during AADA repair, and may reduce the risk of neurological complications in patients with preoperative cerebral malperfusion.

Emergency open surgery for aorto-oesophageal and aorto-bronchial fistulae after thoracic endovascular aortic repair: a single-centre experience†.

OBJECTIVES: Severe complications after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), such as secondary aorto-oesophageal (AOF) or aorto-bronchial fistulae (ABF), are most likely under-reported; however, once detected, emergent surgery becomes necessary. METHODS: Between June 2002 and September 2013, 10 (2.6%) of 374 patients (8 males; mean age 68 years, range: 49-77) were admitted with AOF (n = 8) or ABF (n = 2) post-TEVAR during follow-up (mean 12.9 months, range 0.2-48.1). The respective Ishimaru landing zones were 0 (n = 1), 2 (n = 3), 3 (n = 4) and 4 (n = 2). Median interval between TEVAR and AOF/ABF formation was 18.1 months (range 0.1-65.1). Symptoms on admission included haematemesis (n = 4), haemoptysis (n = 2), melena (n = 1), elevated C-reactive protein (n = 10), new-onset fever (n = 3), positive blood cultures (n = 8), dysphagia (n = 1), chest pain (n = 4), previous syncope (n = 1) and vertigo (n = 1). In 6 patients with AOF, stent graft removal required ascending aortic (n = 1), aortic arch (n = 1), left hemiarch (n = 2) and descending aortic (n = 6) replacement with concomitant oesophagectomy (n = 4) and cervical oesophagostomy (n = 1) or oesophageal repair (n = 2); another patient with AOF underwent oesophagectomy and cervical oesophagostomy via posterolateral thoracotomy without stent graft removal as a first-stage operation. One patient with ABF was treated by stent graft removal, aortic arch and descending aortic replacement in combination with bronchial repair. Two patients were deemed inoperable and treated conservatively. RESULTS: All patients survived the operation. Reoperation due to postoperative mediastinitis, haemorrhage, pericardial tamponade and wound infection was required in 4 (50%, 95% confidence interval [CI] [22, 78]) patients. In-hospital mortality was 25% (n = 2; 95% CI [7, 59]) due to mediastinitis with resulting multiorgan failure (n = 1) and aortic rupture with haemorrhagic shock (n = 1). One patient died due to unknown cause on postoperative day 158. No neurological complications occurred postoperatively. Postoperative complications comprised acute renal failure with temporary dependence on haemodialysis (n = 2) and respiratory insufficiency (n = 4) requiring percutaneous tracheostomy (n = 2). Both patients treated conservatively died after 4 and 81 days due to pulmonary haemorrhage and fulminant mediastinitis, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: AOF and ABF represent uncommon but fatal complications-if treated conservatively-after TEVAR that may occur during short- and mid-term follow-up. Surgery for AOF/ABF requires early diagnosis and should be performed promptly and in a radical fashion to totally excise all infected tissues in these high-risk patients.

Access path angle in transapical aortic valve replacement: risk factor for paravalvular leakage.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the angle between the left ventricular (LV) long axis and the LV outflow tract (αLV-LVOT) on cardiac computed tomography and to describe its effect on the occurrence of paravalvular leakage (PL), fluoroscopy time, and postoperative creatine kinase-MB levels in transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TA-TAVR). METHODS: High-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis scheduled for TA-TAVR using an Edwards SAPIEN (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) prosthesis were retrospectively included. The αLV-LVOT was measured during systole and diastole as far as retrospectively gated data sets were available. The αLV-LVOT was correlated with the occurrence of PL, total fluoroscopy time, and postoperative creatine kinase-MB levels. Interobserver variability was assessed in all cases. RESULTS: The study included 81 patients (57 women [70.4%], 24 men [29.6%]) with an average age of 81.9±5.8 years. The mean αLV-LVOTs were 61.8±9.9 degrees during systole and 61.1±10.0 degrees during diastole. There was a minimal, nonsignificant change in the αLV-LVOT between systole and diastole of 0.2±4.1 degrees (p=0.7). PL was found in 39 patients: grade 0 in 42 (51.9%), grade I in 30 (37.0%), and grade II in 9 (11.1%). Patients with a clinically significant PL (grade≥II) showed a significantly greater mean αLV-LVOT than patients with grade I or without PL (mean difference, 13.8±3.2 degrees; p<0.001). No significant correlation was found between the αLV-LVOT and total fluoroscopy time (r=-0.17, p=0.16) and postoperative creatine kinase-MB levels (r=-0.1, p=0.44). CONCLUSIONS: During TA-TAVR, greater αLV-LVOTs were associated with significantly higher grades of PL. Thus, the αLV-LVOT might influence the selection of the transapical implantation path and could have a significant effect on designs for future stents or novel delivery devices.