The Relationship between Basal Serum Lipoprotein(a) Levels and the Pulmonary Artery to Ascending Aorta Ratio in COVID-19 Survivors

Abstract Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) can cause permanent damage to vascular structures by directly or indirectly affecting the cardiopulmonary system. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is an important identified risk factor for vascular endothelial cell dysfunction. Objective: The aim of this study was to reveal the relationship between Lp(a) levels measured at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis and the pulmonary artery (PA) to the ascending aorta (Ao) ratio (PA:Ao ratio) in survivors evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Methods: The study sample consisted of 100 patients who recovered from COVID-19 in the past 3 to 6 months. The relationship between the change in the PA:Ao ratio (ΔPA:Ao) and the Lp(a) levels measured at the time of diagnosis was evaluated. Diameter measurements at baseline and follow-up were evaluated with TTE. Results: A significant increase was found in PA, Ao, and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness in TTE (p< 0.001 for all). There was a weak correlation between D-dimer and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin measured at the time of diagnosis and ΔPA:Ao and ΔEAT in survivors. However, a positive and strong correlation was observed between Lp(a) levels and ΔPa:Ao (r = 0.628, p< 0.001) and ΔEAT (r = 0.633, p< 0.001). Conclusion: There may be dysfunction in vascular structures due to COVID-19. For the first time in the literature, a strong correlation was shown between the Lp(a) levels measured at the time of diagnosis and ΔPA:Ao and ΔEAT values in patients with COVID-19.

Ministernotomy in Aortic Root and Arch Surgery: Early Outcomes

ABSTRACT Introduction: Minimally invasive methods have become more preferred in cardiac surgery today. In this study, the comparative results of patients who underwent an aortic root, arch or hemiarch replacement by ministernotomy and full sternotomy in our clinic are presented. Methods: Between January 2017 and October 2019, a series of operations including aortic root, ascending aorta, and aortic arch replacements were performed on 278 patients. The ministernotomy technique was used in 25 of them. Twenty patients who underwent full sternotomy were selected and matched to this group for comparison. Results: The ministernotomy group had a longer cross-clamping time (128.3±30.8 vs. 104.7±23.4 min, P=0.007) but the total operating time was similar in the two groups (249.76±28.56 vs. 248.25±37.53 min, P=0.879). The number of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions per patient was higher in the full sternotomy group (4.65±3.74 vs. 2.44±1.85 unit, P=0.020). The ministernotomy group had shorter ventilation times (7.60±4.88 vs. 32.30±32.25 h, P<0.001) and shorter ICU stay (1.56±0.58 vs. 3.35±1.46 d, P<0.001). The 30-day mortality was 0% in the ministernotomy group. Conclusion: Early results of our study show that, in combined or isolated aortic root, ascending aorta, and aortic arch surgeries, ministernotomy can be applied with relatively safety and low mortality and morbidity rates.

Comparison of curative effect and cost between domestic and imported covered stents in the treatment of non-complex Stanford type B aortic dissection / 国际外科学杂志

Objective:To compare the curative effect and cost of domestic and imported covered stents in the treatment of non-complex Stanford type B aortic dissection.Methods:A retrospective case-control study was used to analyze the clinical data of 93 patients with non-complex Stanford B aortic dissection who underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in Taizhou Second People's Hospital from September 2016 to September 2021.Ninty-three patients were divided into two groups according to the use of different covered stents during the operation, of which 47 patients were treated with domestic covered stents (observation group) and 46 patients were treated with imported covered stents (control group). Overall response rate, rate of complication, treatment cost and cost-effectiveness ratio of the two groups were compared and sensitivity analysis was performed in the two groups.The measurement datas conforming to the normal distribution were expressed as mean ± standard deviation( ± s), and the inter-group comparison was conducted by t test.The comparison of counting datas between groups was conducted by Chi-square test or Fisher exact probability method. Results:The overall response rate of the observation group and the control group were 93.62% and 97.83%, with no significant difference ( P>0.05); The incidence of complications was 6.38% and 2.17%, with no significant difference ( P>0.05). The cost of covered stent [(62 155.49±10 231.08) yuan] and the total cost of treatment [(95 063.66±20 042.34) yuan] in the observation group were lower than those in the control group [(93 825.37±16 577.04) yuan and (126 035.89±26 186.18) yuan]( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in other direct costs between the observation group [(32 908.17±9 811.26) yuan] and the control group [(32 210.52±9 609.14) yuan] ( P >0.05). The cost-effectiveness ratio of the observation group and the control group were 1 015.42 and 1 288.31, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of the control group was 7 356.82. After the cost-effectiveness sensitivity analysis and adjusting the cost of the covered stent to decrease by 10% of the two groups, the cost-effectiveness ratio of the observation group and the control group were 949.03 and 1 192.41, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of control group was 6 604.61. Conclusions:Both domestic and imported covered stents are effective in the treatment of non-complex Stanford type B aortic dissection with fewer complications. Compared with the imported covered stent, the domestic covered stent has lower treatment cost and more advantages of cost-effectiveness, which is more in line with diagnosis related groups reform.

Rare association between giant-cell aortitis and giant-cell aortic valvulitis

ABSTRACT Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a type of chronic vasculitis that affects medium and large-caliber arteries, frequently related to aortic involvement and, consequently, to aneurysm formation. However, associated valvulitis with giant cells is uncommon. We describe the case of a 50-year-old female patient with aortic aneurysm and valvular insufficiency, whose anatomopathological examination revealed giant-cell aortic valvulitis associated with giant cell aortitis.

Takayasu Arteritis as a Secondary Cause of Arterial Hypertension

Abstract Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a rare type of vasculitis that affects mainly the aorta and its major branches. It is highly similar to giant cell arteritis (GCA), and differentiation between them may not be achieved even by histological examination. Arterial hypertension is typical of TA and is caused by stenosis of the renal arteries. Here we report the case of a 59-year-old woman, with a history of dyslipidemia and anemia, seen in the Internal Medicine department for resistant hypertension. Evaluation of secondary causes led to stenosis of the renal arteries. Assessment of target organ involvement was performed by computed tomography angiograph which revealed ectasia of the aortic arch and ascending aorta, tortuous course of the brachiocephalic trunk and the proximal portion of the right common carotid artery; positron-emission tomography which showed diffuse increased uptake in the ascending aorta, compatible with large vessels vasculitis. The patient was submitted to aortic valve replacement with a biological prosthesis combined with myocardial revascularization (Bentall-De Bono procedure). Aortic biopsy specimens showed anatomical and pathological features of GCA and TA. Due to persistently uncontrolled hypertension, prednisone 60 mg was initiated,with significant improvement in patient's condition.

Preliminary application of CT on accessing aortic arch calcification during parathyroid SPECT/CT in patients with renal secondary hyperparathyroidism / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective:To access the clinical value and related risk factors of aortic arch calcification (AoAC) in patients with renal secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) on CT during parathyroid SPECT/CT imaging.Methods:From January 2014 to May 2021, 136 renal SHPT patients (70 males, 66 females, age (50.1±11.4) years) who underwent parathyroid 99Tc m-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) SPECT/CT in Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Nantong University were retrospectively enrolled. AoAC score was estimated with CT(1-5), and patients were divided into none-light AoAC group (AoAC score<3) and moderate-severe AoAC group (AoAC score≥3). Independent-sample t test or Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare differences of various indicators between two groups. Univariate binary logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of AoAC. Results:Of 136 renal SHPT patients, 111(81.62%) were AoAC detected by CT. There were 84 patients in none-light AoAC group and 52 patients in moderate-severe AoAC group. The age ((46.7±9.8) vs (55.7±11.6) years; t=-4.84, P<0.001), pulse pressure (52(41, 64) vs 60(51, 70) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa); z=-3.27, P=0.001), serum corrected calcium (2.41(2.28, 2.53) vs (2.49±0.22) mmol/L; z=-2.50, P=0.013), serum phosphorus ((1.95±0.39) vs (2.14±0.48) mmol/L; t=-2.54, P=0.012), calcium phosphorus product ((4.68±1.07) vs (5.29±1.10) mmol 2/L 2;t=-3.21, P=0.013) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) level (106.30(90.15, 127.45) vs 109.90(87.93, 157.63) pmol/L; z=-2.09, P=0.036) between non-light AoAC group and moderate-severe AoAC group were significantly different. Logistic regression analysis showed that serum phosphorus (odds ratio ( OR)=7.261, 95% CI: 2.416-21.819, P<0.001), calcium and phosphorus product ( OR=1.598, 95% CI: 1.073-2.380, P=0.021) and PTH level ( OR=1.018, 95% CI: 1.007-1.029, P=0.001) were independent risk factors of AoAC. Conclusions:Hybrid SPECT/CT can be used for an effective method of evaluating AoAC in patients with renal SHPT. High serum phosphorus, high calcium phosphorus product and high PTH level may be independent risk factors of AoAC.

Tetralogia de Fallot Associada a Artéria Subclávia Direita Aberrante. Implicações Clínicas / Tetralogy of Fallot Associated with Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery. Clinical Implications

Resumo Desde a primeira descrição da tetralogia de Fallot (ToF) em 1671 por Niels Stensen e em 1888 por Étienne-Louis Arthur Fallot, vários trabalhos relataram essa anomalia juntamente com suas variantes e anomalias cardiovasculares concomitantes. A artéria subclávia direita aberrante (ASDA) é a anomalia do arco aórtico mais comum. Diferentemente da artéria subclávia esquerda aberrante, a ocorrência de ASDA em pacientes com ToF só foi relatada casuisticamente. Apresentamos dois pacientes de ToF com ASDA. É importante notar que o conhecimento da coexistência das duas anomalias tem pontos muito práticos durante correções endovasculares ou cirúrgicas de defeitos cardíacos congênitos (inclusive ToF).

Abstract Since the first description of Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) in 1671 by Niels Stensen and in 1888 by Étienne-Louis Arthur Fallot, numerous papers have reported on this anomaly, along with its variants and concomitant cardiovascular anomalies. Aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) is the most common anomaly of the aortic arch. Different from the left aberrant subclavian artery, occurrence of ARSA in ToF-patients has only casuistically been reported so far. The present study reports on two ToF-patients with ARSA. It is important to note that knowledge of the coexistence of both anomalies has highly practical points during surgical or endovascular corrections of congenital heart defects (including ToF).

Diagnóstico y manejo del síndrome aórtico agudo / Diagnostic and management of acute aortic syndrom

El síndrome aórtico agudo incluye un grupo de patologías graves de la aorta, con una mortalidad hasta del 90% en los primeros 40 días tras el inicio de los síntomas. Según la localización de la lesión el tratamiento puede ser médico o quirúrgico, el cual ha demostrado mejorar el pronóstico de estos pacientes tanto a corto como a largo plazo. El diagnóstico oportuno es esencial para incrementar la supervivencia y disminuir la tasa de complicaciones relacionadas; no obstante, debido a la baja incidencia y presentación clínica en ocasiones inespecífica, l diagnóstico puede retrasarse u obviarse, ocasionando consecuencias catastróficas para los pacientes. Este artículo se centrará en el abordaje diagnóstico del síndrome aórtico agudo tipo A, además de ofrecer una breve revisión respecto al tratamiento médico y quirúrgico de estas patologías.

Acute aortic syndrome includes a group of serious aortic pathologies, with a mortality rate of up to 90% in the first 40 days after the onset of symptoms. Depending on the location of the lesion, the treatment will be medical or surgical which has been shown to improve the prognosis of these patients both in the short- and long-term. Timey diagnosis is essential to increase survival and decrease the rate of related complications; however, due to the low incidence and sometimes non-specific clinical picture, the diagnosis can be delayed or missed, leading to catastrophic consequences for the patients. This article will focus on the diagnostic approach of type A acute aortic syndrome, in addition to offering a brief review regarding the medical and surgical treatment of these pathologies.

Epidemiological analysis of 556 procedures of open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair in the Public Health System in the largest Brazilian city

ABSTRACT Objective Despite the development of endovascular procedures, open repair remains the gold standard for the treatment of aortic thoracoabdominal aneurysms and some type B dissections, with well-established good outcomes and long-term durability at high-volume centers. The present study described and analyzed public data from patients treated in the public system in a 12-year interval, in a city where more than 5 million inhabitants depend on the Public Health System. Methods Public data from procedures performed between 2008 and 2019 were extracted using web scraping techniques. The variables available in the database include sex, age, elective or emergency hospital admission, number of surgeries, in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and information on reimbursement values. Results A total of 556 procedures were analyzed. Of these, 60.79% patients were men, and 41.18% were 65 years of age or older. Approximately 60% had a residential address registered in the municipality. Of all surgeries, 65.83% were elective cases. There were 178 in-hospital deaths (mortality of 32%). In the elective context, there were 98 deaths 26.78% versus 80 deaths (42.10%) in the emergency context (p=0.174). Mortality was lower in the hospitals that performed more surgeries. A total of USD 3,038,753.92 was paid, an average of USD 5,406.95 for elective surgery and USD 5,074.76 for emergency surgery (p=0.536). Conclusion Mortality was no different between groups, and hospitals with higher volume presented more favorable outcomes. Specialized referral centers should be considered by health policy makers.

Fetal cervical aortic arch with closure of ductus arteriosus: a case report / 中华围产医学杂志

This paper reported the ultrasonographic findings and pregnancy outcome in a case of fetal cervical aortic arch complicated by premature closure of ductus arteriosus. Ultrasound at 22+6weeks of gestation showed that the apex of fetal aortic arch reached the level of left clavicle, but no obvious abnormality in fetal intracardiac structure was found. Ultrasound examinations showed premature contraction of the fetal ductus arteriosus at 25+ 4 weeks of gestation and premature closure at 27+6 weeks. The pregnant woman was hospitalized due to the aggravation of fetal right heart failure at 34+1 gestational weeks and delivered by cesarean section at 34+3weeks. After 17 d of intensive care, the newborn was discharged in good condition. Ultrasound examination performed three months after birth showed that the aortic arch was at the level of left clavicle and the right cardiac system recovered well.

Endovascular Repair of Primary Thoracic Aortic Mural Thrombus Following Upper Limb Embolization

Abstract We report the case of a 41-year-old female who presented with left upper limb embolization due to primary thoracic aortic mural thrombus; this latter represented an uncommon condition with difficult diagnosis and a high rate of life-threatening complications. Upper extremities embolization is extremely rare because it usually occurs in the lower limbs. Management strategy is still controversial, and no clear guidelines indicate superiority of either conservative or invasive treatment approach to date. Our report illustrates how endovascular exclusion of thoracic aortic mural thrombus has the advantage to be a low-risk procedure that represents a definitive therapy.

Exploration of Simplified Intraluminal TEVAR Technique for the Treatment of Aortic Arch Disease

Abstract Objective: The positional relationship between the three branches of the aortic arch was determined in normal people. This study provides data to support the customization of aortic arch stents and simplifies intraluminal treatment. Methods: From January 2019 to August 2019, 120 patients who met the inclusion criteria were examined by CT angiography. The ratio of the distance from the midpoint of the three-branch opening onto the anterior wall to the cross-sectional diameter of the aortic arch was calculated. The positional relationship among the three-branch openings was obtained and the data were analyzed statistically. Results: The three-branch openings were not in a straight line. The positional relationship among the three-branch openings was divided into four types, which were not statistically different between sex and age (P>0.05). Conclusion: By measuring the opening position of the three aortic branches, the positional relationship among the three branches was defined to provide a theoretical basis for the design of intraluminal stents and simplified intracavity thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) technology.

Double-lumen Aortic Arch: Persistence of the Fifth Aortic Arch?

Abstract Double-lumen aortic arch is a rare congenital anomaly related to persistence of the fifth aortic arch. It may be found alone or in association with other anatomical changes of the heart. We report a case of double-lumen aortic arch associated with coarctation of the aorta and patent ductus arteriosus in a child with a congenital malformation known as the VACTERL association (vertebral defects, imperforate anus, cardiopathy, tracheoesophageal fistula, renal abnormalities and limb anomalies).

Protein malnutrition during lactation affects thoracic aortic tunica media thickness in Wistar rat pups

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the morphological effects of a low-protein diet during maternal lactation on the offspring's thoracic aorta. Methods: Two female Wistar rats were mated with male of the same species at 4 months of age. Until the birth of the pups, all animals received commercial rat chow. After giving birth, the puerperal females were divided into two groups and adjusted the litter to five puppies per group: a control group that received commercial feed, and an experimental group whose diet included the same amount of calories, but 8% lower protein content. All animals' masses were measured throughout the lactation period, and the pups were euthanized after weaning at 21 days of age. The thoracic aorta was removed, histologically processed and stained with Weigert's resorcin-fuchsin for histomorphometric analysis of tunica media thickness. Results: Although both groups were born with similar body mass, during the 21 days of lactation the restricted protein group gained only 39% of the body mass of the control group. Histomorphometric analysis revealed that the restricted protein group had a significantly lower mean tunica media thickness than the control group. Conclusions: A low-protein diet for nursing mothers influences mass gain and aortic tunica media thickness in their offspring.

Epidemiological analysis of 5,595 procedures of endovascular correction of isolated descending thoracic aortic disease over 12 years in the public health system in Brazil

OBJECTIVES: In Brazil, descending thoracic aorta disease, including aneurysms and dissections, is managed preferentially by endovascular treatment, owing to its feasibility and good results. In this study, we analyzed endovascular treatment of isolated descending thoracic aortic disease cases in the Brazilian public health system over a 12-year period. METHODS: Public data from procedures performed from 2008 to 2019 were extracted using web scraping techniques to assess procedure type frequency (elective or urgency), mortality, and governmental costs. RESULTS: A total of 5,595 procedures were analyzed, the vast majority of which were urgent procedures (61.82% vs. 38.18%). In-hospital mortality was lower for elective than for urgent surgeries (4.96 vs.10.32% p=0.008). An average of R$16,845.86 and R$20,012.04 was paid per elective and emergency procedure, respectively, with no statistical difference (p=0.095). CONCLUSION: Elective procedures were associated with lower mortality than urgent procedures. There was no statistically significant difference between elective and urgent procedures regarding costs.

Efficacy of thoracic endovascular aortic repair for treatment of Stanford type B traumatic aortic dissection / 中华创伤杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in treating Stanford type B traumatic aortic dissection (TAD).Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical date of 26 patients with Stanford type B TAD admitted to Nantong First People's Hospital from June 2011 to December 2019. There were 21 males and 5 females, aged 35-83 years [(56.2±12.9)years]. All patients mainly suffered from chest and back trauma and were treated with TEVAR. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative heparin dosage, duration of ICU stay and postoperative organ complications were collected. The changes of brain natriuretic peptide, urea nitrogen and creatinine were compared before operation and at one day after operation. The CT angiography (CTA) was performed to mainly detect the location of stent, reverse tearing, paraplegia and internal leakage at 6 months after TEVAR. The aortic CTA was used to measure the maximum diameter of aortic dissecting aneurysm and true lumen diameter of distal aorta before operation and at 6 months after operation, and the diameter changes were compared to determine the aortic remodeling after TEVAR.Results:All patients were followed up for 6-36 months [(25.9±6.3)months]. The operation time was 60-200 minutes [(96.7±30.7)minutes], the intraoperative blood loss was 20-45 ml [(31.1±6.8)ml], the dosage of heparin was 0-0.53 mg/kg [(0.4±0.1)mg/kg], the postoperative ICU stay was 1-7 days [(4.7±1.3)days]. Seven patients developed pulmonary infections after operation and showed significant improvement after closed thoracic drainage, airway management and anti-infection treatment. Two patients had abnormal renal function after operation and received medical therapy for improvement. There was no significant difference in brain natriuretic peptide, urea nitrogen and creatinine between before operation and one day after operation ( P>0.05). At 6 months after operation, the CTA showed that the stent position was satisfactory and there were no serious complications such as reverse tearing and paraplegia. Of one patient with type I endoleak, the tumor did not further expand and his condition was stable. At 6 months after operation, the diameter of dissecting aneurysm [(34.4±5.0)mm] was smaller than that before operation [(38.2±5.6)mm], the true lumen of distal stent [(26.8±4.6)mm] was larger than that before operation [(22.6±6.0)mm] ( P<0.05 or 0.01). Conclusion:For Stanford type B TAD, TEVAR has no significant effect on cardiac function and renal function, with no severe complications and good aortic remodeling.

Discussion on the technical details of the controllable fenestrated thoracic aortic endovascular repair / 国际外科学杂志

Fenestrated thoracic aortic endovascular repair (TEVAR), as the most advantageous technique for total endovascular repair of aortic arch lesions, has been widely carried out in China, but the technical level is different, the operation process lacks standardization, and the quality control is insufficient. This article discusses the technical details include how to ensure the controllability of TEVAR in physician-modified fenestration, how to choose indications, select fenestration positions, make fenestration, install preset guide wires, unwind guide wires, accurately position fenestration of the hole, delivery and release of the bridging stent combined with author′s experience.

Conservative treatment of unicuspid aortic valve with newly diagnosed type a aortic dissection

Abstract We present a case of a 36-year-old male patient with known arthrogryposis multiplex congenita and an associated unicuspid aortic valve. The patient later developed a significant aneurysm of the ascending aorta, however refused surgical intervention and missed follow-up appointments for 5 years. During an urgent, general practitioner-initiated transthoracic echocardiography follow-up, a chronic type A aortic dissection was diagnosed as a result of progressive aortic dilatation. Due to the stationary pressure gradients and non-progressive leaflet fibrosis, a conservative approach for to the unicuspid aortic valve was chosen, combined with replacement of the ascending aorta and partial replacement of the aortic arch.