Brazilian Society for Angiology and Vascular Surgery guidelines on abdominal aortic aneurysm / Projeto Diretrizes, Sociedade Brasileira de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular: aneurisma da aorta abdominal

Abstract The Brazilian Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, through the Guidelines Project, presents new Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Guidelines, on the subject of care for abdominal aortic aneurysm patients. Its development prioritized descriptive guidelines, using the EMBASE, LILACS, and PubMed databases. References include randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and cohort studies. Quality of evidence was evaluated by a pair of coordinators, aided by the RoB 2 Cochrane tool and the Newcastle Ottawa Scale forms. The subjects include juxtarenal aneurysms, infected aneurysms, and new therapeutic techniques, especially endovascular procedures. The current version of the guidelines include important recommendations for the primary topics involving diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up for abdominal aortic aneurysm patients, providing an objective guide for medical practice, based on scientific evidence and widely available throughout Brazil.

Resumo A Sociedade Brasileira de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular, por meio do projeto Diretrizes, apresenta as novas Diretrizes de Aorta Abdominal, referentes aos cuidados de pacientes com aneurisma de aorta abdominal. Para sua elaboração, foram priorizadas diretrizes descritivas, utilizando as bases EMBASE, LILACS e PubMed. As referências incluem ensaios clínicos randomizados, revisões sistemáticas, metanálises e estudos de coorte. A qualidade das evidências foi examinada por uma dupla de coordenadores, com auxílio da ferramenta RoB 2 da Colaboração Cochrane e dos formulários da Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Aneurismas justarrenais, infectados e novas técnicas terapêuticas, principalmente no âmbito endovascular, estão entre os temas estudados. A versão atual das Diretrizes apresenta importantes recomendações para os principais itens que envolvem o diagnóstico, tratamento e acompanhamento de pacientes com aneurisma de aorta abdominal, oferecendo um guia objetivo para prática médica, construído a partir de evidências científicas e amplamente acessível em todo o território nacional.

Status of surgical treatment of aortic diseases: experience of multi-center aortic registry in Jiangsu Province / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective:To analyze the status of treatment of aortic diseases in nine centers included in Jiangsu Aortic Registry study.Methods:Medical records of 1 105 patients who underwent surgery for aortic diseases in nine cardiovascular centers in Jiangsu province from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020 were retrospectively collected. According to the types of diseases, they are divided into three categories: Category Ⅰ diseases: aortic diseases requiring only simple open surgery; Category Ⅱ: aortic disease requiring complex open surgery; Category Ⅲ disease: aortic disease requiring interventional or hybrid surgery. The diagnosis and treatment of the three diseases were compared by statistical analysis.Results:Patients aged 50-59 years and 60-69 years were the most in the whole group, accounting for 291(26.3%) and 319 (28.9%), respectively. That is, the age group between 50-69 years was the main age for the incidence of aortic disease, accounting for 55.2% (610/1 105) of the total incidence. The ratio of male to female was 803∶302, and male was 72.7% (803/1 105). The perioperative mortality of patients with type Ⅰ and Ⅲ diseases was lower [1.6%(6/385) and 1.0% (4/330), respectively]. The perioperative mortality of patients with type Ⅱ diseases was significantly increased (15.5% (51/330)) due to their dangerous onset and complicated operation. The highest postoperative complications were infection 11.3% (124/1 105), acute kidney injury 8.6% (95/1 105), and neurological complications 7.0% (77/1 105), respectively.Conclusion:Individualized treatment according to the lesion site, lesion type and scope of involvement of aortic disease can achieve a satisfactory prognosis.

A review of aortic disease research in Malaysia

@#Aortic disease includes conditions such as chronic aortic aneurysms, acute aortic syndromes and congenital aortic abnormalities, amongst others. This paper reviews all research on aortic disease performed in Malaysia and published between 2000-2016.

Value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in diagnosis of prosthetic vascular graft infection after endovascular aortic repair / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective To study the features and clinical value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT in prosthetic vascular graft infections (PVGIs) after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR).Methods Data of 27 patients (22 males and 5 females,age range:21-77 years,average age:42 years) who underwent PET/CT imaging after EVAR from October 2011 to January 2017 were studied retrospectively.A total of 11 cases were finally diagnosed as PVGIs (PVGIs group),and the remaining 16 cases were defined as the negative group.PET/CT imaging features were compared between two groups.The detection rates of PET/CT and aortic CT angiography (CTA) for PVGIs were calculated and compared.Two-sample t test and Fisher exact test were used for data analysis.Results Significant uptake of FDG around the stents was detected by PET/CT in all patients in PVGIs group.The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of 11 patients in early imaging was 14.9±3.3 (10.8-21.8) and that of 9 patients in delayed imaging was 13.8±3.4 (10.6-19.1).Six patients of the negative group underwent the delayed imaging.No uptake or mild uptake of FDG around the stents was observed in negative group,with the SUVmax of 1.7±0.8(1.0--2.9) in early imaging and 1.6±0.7(1.1-2.5) in delayed imaging.SUVmax in negative group was significantly lower than that in PVGIs group (t values:12.6 and 11.8,both P＜0.001).Five patients in PVGIs group were diagnosed as graft infections by the aortic CTA,while the remaining 6 cases showed no definitive infection signs on aortic CTA.The detection rate of aortic CTA was 5/11,which was significantly lower than that of PET/CT (P＜0.05).In negative group,6 patients had abnormal FDG uptakes in other areas and were finally confirmed as infectious lesions (n=3) or malignant tumors (n=3).Conclusion Compared with aortic CTA,18F-FDG PET/CT is more sensitive and accurate in detection and diagnosis of PVGIs after EVAR.

The impact of preoperative dual antiplatelet therapy on early outcome of acute type A aortic dissection patients undergoing aortic surgery / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective@#To evaluate the impact of preoperative dual antiplatelet therapy on early outcome of acute type A aortic dissection(ATAAD) patients undergoing aortic surgery.@*Methods@#From December 2015 to November 2017, 45 consecutive patients with ingestion of aspirin and clopidogrel underwent aortic repair surgery at our center. 37 out of 45 patients(83%) were propensity-matched with 74 control ATAAD patients without antiplatelet therapy undergoing aortic surgery in 1∶2 fashion. Thereby, bleeding-related outcome(death, reoperation for bleeding, postoperative blood loss within 12 h ≥2 000 ml and usage of rFⅦa) and blood transfusion requirement were compared.@*Results@#Bleeding-related outcome occurred in 14(18.9%) and 9(24.3%) patients in control and antiplatelet group respectively(P=0.51). Postoperative blood loss within 12 hours was 490 ml in control group, compared to 500 ml in the antiplatelet group(P=0.85). There were no significant differences among the two groups in transfusion requirements of red blood cells, platelets and fresh frozen plasma. Multivariate regression analysis identified antiplatelet therapy as an nonsignifcant risk factor for bleeding-related outcome(OR=2.97, 95%CI: 0.87-10.21, P=0.08).@*Conclusion@#Preoperative dual antiplatelet therapy was not associated with increased risk of bleeding-related outcome and transfusion requirement, and was not a contraindication of emergent surgery for ATAAD patients.

Aortic valve replacement combined with ascending aortic aneurysmectomy in a patient with sickle cell disease: a case report

Abstract Sickle cell anemia is a haematological disorder characterized by multiple vaso-occlusive complications, resulting in a reduced life expectancy. These patients are exposed to several triggering factors for sickle cell crises when they are submitted to cardiovascular surgeries with extracorporeal circulation. Therefore, meticulous care and perioperative management are required. This paper reports a successful case of combined cardiovascular surgery - aortic valve replacement and ascending aortic aneurysmectomy - with no serious post-operative complications. In this report, we emphasize the peculiarities of perioperative care in patients with sickle cell anemia.

Medication adherence patterns in aortic dissection survivors

Background & objectives: Beta-blockers have been shown to improve survival in both type A and type B acute aortic dissection (AAD) patients. Calcium channel blockers have been shown to selectively improve survival only in type B AAD patients. There is a lack of data on medication adherence in AAD survivors. The purpose of this study was to assess medication adherence in patients who survived an AAD. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey-based study of individuals from a single medical centre which was part of the larger International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection (IRAD). Patients with type A or B AAD who survived to discharge were included in this study. Individuals who were deceased based on the results of an online Social Security Death Index were excluded from the study. Data were obtained from both a survey and also from abstraction from the local academic institution's IRAD registry. A survey packet was sent to patients. One section of this survey was dedicated to assessing medication adherence using the 4-item Morisky scale. Results: Eighty two completed surveys were returned; 74 patients completed the section of the survey pertaining to medication adherence (response rate 38%). Morisky score was ?1.0 for 27 (36%) patients and 0 for 47 (64%) patients. Thirty three patients reported yes to 'forget to take medications' and eight reported yes to 'careless with medications.' Medication non-adherence (defined as a score of ?1.0 on Morisky) was associated with increased follow up recurrence of chest pain at one year of follow up. Only two patients stopped their antihypertensive on their own and did not cite a reason for doing this. Interpretation & conclusions: The medication adherence rate for patients who survived an AAD was 64 per cent at a median (Q1, Q3) of 7.1 yr (5.6, 11.5) after discharge, as per the Morisky scale. The clinicians should educate their patients on the importance of antihypertensive therapy and assess for forgetfulness and carelessness at each clinic visit, as well as understand patients' beliefs about drug therapy, all of which have been shown to increase medication adherence.

Value of three-vessel and trachea view plus aortic arch coronal section in ultrasonic diagnosis and classification of fetal right aortic arch / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective To explore the value of three-vessel and trachea(3VT) view plus aortic arch coronal section in ultrasonic diagnosis and classification of fetal right aortic arch(RAA).Methods Echocardiography data and follow-up results of 44 fetuses with RAA were retrospectively analyzed.Sonographic features on 3VT view and aortic arch coronal section were summarized.Results Among 44 fetuses with RAA,27 cases(61.36%) were RAA with aberrant left subclavian artery(ALSA) and the left ductus arteriosus(LDA) connecting the ALSA and U-shaped vascular ring was formed;17 cases(38.64%) were mirror right aortic arch(MRAA).Among 17 cases with MRAA,3 cases were with LDA connecting the descending aorta(DAO) and U-shaped vascular ring was formed;1 case was with LDA connecting the left innominate artery(LINA),8 cases were with absent ductus arteriosus(ADA),5 case were with right ductus arteriosus(RDA),no vascular ring was formed.Parts of MRAA were combined with other complex intracardiac abnormalities.RAA-ALSA-LDA were rarely combined with intracardiac abnormalities.Conclusions 3VT view is simple and intuitive for diagnosing RAA.Aortic arch coronal section has great clinical value in determining the concrete type of RAA.

Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Diseases with Unibody Bifurcated Stent-graft / 中国微创外科杂志

Open surgery was the main treatment for abdominal aortic diseases in the past .However , with the development of endovascular instruments , endovascular repair technique has become the main option for abdominal aortic diseases .Unibody bifurcated stent-graft and modular bifurcated stent-graft are often used to treat abdominal aortic diseases .Unibody bifurcated stent-graft has its own features in endovascular repair of abdominal aortic diseases .We made a literature summary on application of unibody bifurcated stent-graft in abdominal aortic diseases .

Thoracic Endovascular Repair by Chimney Technique for Aortic Dissection with Malperfusion Syndrome / 대한내과학회지

A perfusion deficit of the aortic branch vessels in a patient with a type B aortic dissection is a challenging complication, as it leads to hemodynamic instability and doubles the mortality rate; however, the optimal management strategy in these cases remains controversial. Although surgical repair is still performed as the standard, endovascular approaches have been used recently as alternatives because of the high rate of perioperative complications. Herein, we report a patient with a type B aortic dissection and compromised renal and iliac arteries who was successfully treated by thoracic endovascular repair and insertion of a percutaneous stent. In addition, we adopted the chimney technique to preserve blood flow to the left subclavian artery due to the short proximal landing zone.

Two-stage Surgery for an Aortoesophageal Fistula Caused by Tuberculous Esophagitis

An aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) is an extremely rare, potentially fatal condition, and aortic surgery is usually performed together with extracorporeal circulation. However, this surgical method has a high rate of surgical complications and mortality. This report describes an AEF caused by tuberculous esophagitis that was treated successfully using a two-stage operation. A 52-yr-old man was admitted to the hospital with severe hematemesis and syncope. Based on the computed tomography and diagnostic endoscopic findings, he was diagnosed with an AEF and initially underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair. Esophageal reconstruction was performed after controlling the mediastinal inflammation. The patient suffered postoperative anastomotic leakage, which was treated by an endoscopic procedure, and the patient was discharged without any further problems. The patient received 9 months of anti-tuberculosis treatment after he was diagnosed with histologically confirmed tuberculous esophagitis; subsequently, he was followed as an outpatient and has had no recurrence of the tuberculosis or any further issues.

Perioperative nursing of patients with re-operation of complex type A aortic dissection / 现代临床护理

Objective To investigate the nursing experience of caring patients with second total aortic arch replacement with stent“trunk”.Method The nursing data of 28 patients undergoing total aortic arch replacement with stenttrunkwere analyzed to summarize the perioperative nursing experience.Results The operations were successful in all 28 patients.None of them died. Conclusion The nursing measures such as strengthened preoperative evaluation,strengthened body position and skin management, preparation of articles,strengthened blood recollection during operation to reduce blood loss and enhanced temperature monitoring are key to the success of total aortic arch replacement with stenttrunk.

Aortopathy in Congenital Heart Disease in Adults: Aortic Dilatation with Decreased Aortic Elasticity that Impacts Negatively on Left Ventricular Function

Bicuspid aortic valve and/or coarctation of the aorta are consistently associated with ascending aortic and para-coarctation medial abnormalities. Medial abnormalities in the ascending aorta are prevalent in other types of patients with a variety of forms congenital heart disease (CHD), such as single ventricle, persistent truncus arteriosus, transposition of the great arteries, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, tetralogy of Fallot. These abnormalities encompass a wide age range, and may predispose to dilatation, aneurysm, and rupture that necessitates aortic valve and root surgery. This dilatation can develop in CHD patients without stenotic region. These CHDs exhibit ongoing dilatation of the aortic root and reduced aortic elasticity and increased aortic stiffness that may relate to intrinsic properties of the aortic root. The concept of aortic dilatation is shifting a paradigm of aortic dilatation, as so called post stenotic dilatation, to primary intrinsic aortopahy. These aortic dilatation and increased stiffness can induce aortic aneurysm, rupture of the aorta and aortic regurgitation, but also provoke left ventricular hypertrophy, reduced coronary artery flow and left ventricular failure. We can recognize this association of aortic pathophysiological abnormality, aortic dilation and aorto-left ventricular interaction as a new clinical entity: "aortopathy".

Cirugía abierta versus cirugía endovascular en el tratamiento de la patología de la aorta torácica descendente / Open Surgery versus Endovascular Surgery in the Treatment of the Descendent Thoracic Aortic Disease

Introducción: El reparo endovascular de la aorta torácica (REVAT) se ha incrementado en el mundo en los últimos años con relación al abierto. Objetivo: Comparar los resultados clínicos del REVAT frente al reparo abierto en la Fundación Cardio Infantil (Bogotá, Colombia) entre 2002 y 2011. Metodología: Análisis retrospectivo de la cohorte de pacientes sometidos a reparo abierto (grupo 1) en comparación de REVAT (grupo 2). En cada uno de los grupos se evaluó tiempo quirúrgico, tasa de morbilidad, mortalidad, reintervención y estancia hospitalaria. Resultados: Se incluyeron 57 pacientes en el análisis (26 % reparo abierto; 74 % REVAT). Se reintervinieron dos pacientes por endofugas tipo 1 en el grupo 2 y un caso por sangrado en el grupo 1. La mortalidad operatoria fue para el grupo 1 de 20 %, y para el grupo 2, de 2,3 %. El tiempo quirúrgico fue de 398 ± 180 min (grupo 1) versus 85,5 ± 35 min (grupo 2 (p = 0,0001) y el tiempo de estancia hospitalaria promedio fue de 9,8 días (grupo 1) y 5,3 días (grupo 2) [p = 0,01]). El tiempo promedio de seguimiento fue 4,8 ± 3,1 años. Conclusiones: El REVAT parece ofrecer menor morbilidad, mortalidad, tiempo quirúrgico y estancia hospitalaria respecto al reparo abierto, aunque las poblaciones de pacientes incluidos no fueron estrictamente comparables. Se requieren nuevos análisis en un diseño prospectivo, idealmente aleatorizado para documentar los beneficios a largo plazo de este tipo de reparo...

Introduction: Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair(TEVAR) has increased worldwide morethan open repair in the last few years. Objective:To compare clinical outcomes of TEVARversus open surgery at Fundación Cardio Infantil(Bogota, Colombia), between 2002 and 2011.Methods: Retrospective analysis of the cohort ofpatients with open repair (group 1) in comparisonto TEVAR (group 2). In each group, surgicaltime, morbidity rates (infection, hemorrhage,medular ischemia, cerebrovascular event, andpostoperative renal failure), mortality, reintervention,and hospital stay were evaluated. For comparisonsa univariate analysis was used, being a p< 0.05 statistically significant. Results: 57 patientswere included (26 % open repair; 74 % TEVAR).Two type 1 endoleaks on group 2 and 1 bleedingpatient in group 1 required a second surgery. Surgicalmortality was 20 % in group 1, and 2.3 % ingroup 2); surgical time was 398 ± 180 (group 1)versus 85.5 ± 35 min (group 2) (p = 0.0001); andhospital stay was 9,8 days (group 1) and 5.3 days(group 2). Average follow-up time was 4.8 ± 3.1years. Conclusions: TEVAR may be associatedwith less morbidity, mortality, surgical time, andhospital stay than open repair, although the populationsincluded were not strictly comparable.New, prospective studies, ideally randomized,are needed to support the long term benefits ofthis type of repair...

Death of a Patient with Turner Syndrome Caused by Arotic Dissection and Rupture after Hemodialysis / 대한신장학회지

The main cause of death in hemodialysis patients is cardiovascular disease. Aortic dissection with rupture is one of the most life threatening cardiovascular diseases. The risk of developing aortic dissection can be increased by renal failure or hemodialysis and the morbidity also increases in Turner syndrome. Here, we report a case of Turner syndrome patient who died from ruptured aortic dissection after hemodialysis, and review relevant literature. A 59 year-old female presented to the emergency department complaining of severe dyspnea and general weakness. Six months ago, she had undergone an operation at another hospital due to horseshoe kidney and staghorn calculus. After the operation, acute renal failure developed, so she received hemodialysis. The chest x-ray image taken at the time of admission showed mediastinal widening compared to image taken 6 months ago. Aortic dissection was diagnosed by chest computer tomograph. Chromosomal analysis was performed and the study revealed the mosaicism of Turner syndrome (45,X/ 46,XX). The genetic defect, renal failure and especially hemodialysis were thought as important risk factors in the development of aortic dissection in this patient. Although storongly advised to have emergency operation, the patient only wanted conservative management. Two months later, the patient died from aorta rupture.

Hybrid Procedure for Thoracic Aortic Disease / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Form 2008 to 2009, four patients with complex thoracic aortic disease, including aortic aneurysms and dissections, were successfully treated in our department with a new treatment approach: hybrid procedure. Combined open surgery and endovascular repair were performed in these patients without deep hypothermia or circulatory arrest. Compared to those who underwent traditional open surgery in the same period, time of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay was decreased in these four patients. All of them were discharged soon after operation without postoperative complications or death. The result suggests that this new approach could be an option for thoracic aortic disease, but long-term and large-population studies are still required to demonstrate the safety and validity.

Clinical Study of Composite Valve Graft Replacement of the Aortic Root / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: A composite valve graft replacement has been used for a variety of aortic root diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mid-term results of this technique. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We conducted a retrospective analysis of aortic root composite valve graft replacements in 39 patients and these procedures were done at our institution between 1992 and 2009. The mean age of the patients was 49.2+/-16.4 years. The mean follow-up was 64.2+/-53.4 months (maximum: 176 months). RESULT: There were 4 hospital deaths (8.6%) due to emergency aortic dissection and 4 late deaths owing to several causes. The causes of late death were 2 ruptures of a remnant aneurysm, 1 subdural hemorrhage and 1 paravalvular leakage. The calculated survival rate was 93.5%, 85.0% and 85.0% at 1, 5 and 10 years, respectively. There were 3 cerebrovascular accidents during the follow up period. The rate of freedom from cerebrovascular accidents was 97.0%, 92.0% and 80.0% at 1, 5 and 10 years, respectively. All of these brain accidents were hemorrhage-related complications. CONCLUSION: A composite valve graft replacement of the aortic root was associated with favorable results. So, this technique seems to be a good method to treat various aortic root diseases.

Retrograde Stanford type A aortic dissection after endovascular stent graft placement for type B dissection / 대한내과학회지

Endovascular stent graft placement in Stanford type B aortic dissection has increased as a result of the demonstration of its safety and efficacy. Despite the advantage of reduced mortality and morbidity, the mid-to long-term prognosis and possible complications associated with the procedure are a source of concern. Among the many possible complications, retrograde type A dissection after stent grafting for type B dissection is considered rare; however, this life-threatening event appears to be underrecognized. Here, we report a case that converted to open surgery due to a retrograde type A dissection after endovascular stent graft placement for a Stanford type B dissection. This is the first report of a retrograde type A dissection after endovascular stent graft placement in Korea.