Surgical Strategy for Protecting Major Branch Arteries during Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Shaggy Descending Aortic Aneurysms / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

Surgery for a shaggy aortic aneurysm requires a meticulous strategy to prevent embolic complications since the complications are associated with longer length of hospital stay and higher mortality. However, until now, there are no established treatment options to prevent embolic complications. We report a case of a 75-year-old man with a descending aortic aneurysm and a shaggy aorta who underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with major branch artery protection. During the procedure, we placed balloon catheters in the left subclavian and left common iliac arteries, a filter device in the superior mesenteric artery, and a sheath at the ostium of the right common iliac artery. The patient did not develop embolic or other complications and was discharged on the eighth postoperative day. Our strategy of using the balloon occlusion technique and filter placement at the major vessels effectively prevented embolic complications during TEVAR for a shaggy aorta.

Efficacy of Aortic Valve Replacement with Ascending Aorta Grafting under Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest for the Patients with Shaggy/Calcified Aorta / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

Purpose : The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcome of aortic valve replacement (AVR) with ascending aorta grafting under hypothermic circulatory arrest for patients with shaggy/calcified ascending aorta based on preoperative and intraoperative assessment of ascending aorta. Methods : From April 2010 to July 2019, 133 patients with aortic stenosis underwent AVR. Based on preoperative computed tomography and intraoperative epi aortic ultrasound, 121 patients were able to have their aorta clamped (C-AVR), while clamping was not possible for 12 patients due to shaggy/calcified in the ascending aorta (Asc-AVR). In Asc-AVR, ascending aorta was replaced to the vascular graft under hypothermic circulatory arrest with retrograde cerebral perfusion followed by AVR. Results : Although operative time and cardiopulmonary bypass time were prolonged and blood transfusion volume was significantly high in Asc-AVR, there were no significant differences in postoperative complications. Although postoperative MRI revealed two silent strokes, no symptomatic neurologic complications occurred in Asc-AVR. Five-year survival rates between groups were comparable (64.2% in Asc-AVR vs. 79.9% in C-AVR, p=0.420). Replacement of ascending aorta was not a risk factor of late death. Conclusion : AVR with ascending aorta grafting under hypothermic circulatory arrest based on preoperative and intraoperative assessment of ascending aorta is an acceptable method for patients with shaggy/calcified aorta.

A Case of Staged Hybrid Repair for Subacute Type B Aortic Dissection in a Patient with Shaggy Aorta / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

In aortic surgery involving shaggy aorta, surgical strategy to avoid embolism is crucial for each case. We applied the frozen elephant trunk technique to a patient with shaggy aorta. A 79-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for conservative treatment of acute Type B aortic dissection. Dissecting aneurysms of the aortic arch and descending aorta were shown to have rapidly dilated according to CT three weeks later. Preoperative contrast CT showed an ulcerated shaggy aorta from the aortic arch to the mid portion of the descending aorta. To utilize the benefit of the stent compared with the classical elephant trunk technique, we proposed that the frozen elephant trunk technique would be helpful in prevention of embolism. We therefore planned total arch replacement with the frozen elephant trunk technique and performed thoracic endovascular aortic repair. We employed the frozen elephant trunk technique in the first operation and balloon protection of the superior mesenteric artery and the renal artery in the second operation. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course without thromboembolism. The frozen elephant trunk technique may be helpful for patients with shaggy aorta to avoid thromboembolic events.

Utility of the Isolation Technique for Total Arch Replacement in Patients with a Shaggy Aorta / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

Introduction : Prevention of embolic stroke is the key issue to perform aortic arch replacement in patients with a shaggy aorta. The aim of this study is to report the utility of the isolation technique for total arch replacement in patients with a shaggy aorta. Methods : Clinical results of seven patients (71.7 years old, all men) with a shaggy aorta who underwent total arch replacement between January 2017 and November 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The operative indications were a distal arch or proximal descending aortic aneurysm in 6 patients and a thrombus inside brachiocephalic artery in one. A cerebral perfusion was established by inserting a cannula directly into all supra-aortic branches before starting systemic perfusion. Result : Utilizing the isolation technique with clamping of all branches in 4 patients and the functional isolation technique with clamping of two branches in 3, total arch replacement was performed in all patients (operation time : 513 min, selective cerebral perfusion time : 162 min). No operative death was observed and no newly developed stroke was encountered. Conclusion : The isolation technique is a useful method to prevent stroke during total arch replacement in patients with a shaggy aorta.

Mielitis isquémica como presentación de aorta shaggy en paciente con síndrome aórtico agudo concomitante / Ischaemic myelitis as a presentation of a shaggy aorta in a patient with concomitant acute aortic syndrome

Resumen La aorta shaggy se define como una degeneración ateromatosa agresiva y extensa de la aorta, cuya friabilidad predispone a ulceración y complicaciones embólicas, cursa con alto riesgo de embolia sistémica y no se conocen prevalencia ni incidencia en poblaciones de riesgo. La mayoría de casos publicados hacen referencia a complicaciones en procedimientos quirúrgicos. En la literatura no se hallaron reportes que asocien ateroembolia aórtica con obstrucción de la arteria de Adamkiewicz, cuyo diagnóstico no siempre es posible visualizando su oclusión por angiotomografía o por angiorresonancia, pues el defecto puede ser evanescente o puede existir compromiso distal con obstrucción microvascular, difícilmente aparente con arteriografía selectiva. Se presenta un caso de mielopatía isquémica embólica asociada a aorta shaggy con probable oclusión de la arteria de Adamkiewicz como responsable del deterioro neurológico agudo de la paciente, confirmado por resonancia magnética nuclear. Para caracterizar mejor esta enfermedad y para tener las estrategias diagnósticas y terapéuticas apropiadas en su abordaje oportuno, consideramos importante el reporte de casos similares aumentando así su sospecha diagnóstica.

Abstract A shaggy aorta is defined as an aggressive and extensive atheromatous degeneration of the aorta. Its friability predisposes to ulceration and embolic complications. It carries a high risk of systemic embolisms, and its prevalence and incidence in risk populations is unknown. The majority of published cases mention complications in surgical procedures. No reports have been found in the literature that associate aortic atheroembolism with obstruction of the artery of Adamkiewicz. Its diagnosis is not always possible by visualising its occlusion by computed tomography angiography or by magnetic resonance angiography, since the defects may be evanescent, or there may be a distal compromise with a microvascular obstruction, hardly apparent with selected angiography. A case is presented of embolic ischaemic myelitis associated with a shaggy aorta, with probable occlusion of the artery of Adamkiewicz being responsible form the acute neurological deterioration of the patient, confirmed by a nuclear magnetic resonance scan. In order to better describe the features of this disease and to have the appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for its timely approach, it is considered important to report all similar cases, thus increasing its diagnostic suspicion.

Two Cases of Graft Replacement of the Infrarenal Abdominal Aorta for Shaggy Aorta Syndrome / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

The optimal strategy for shaggy aorta syndrome has not been established, however, several case reports are published with the increase of the aged population. We report two men with shaggy aorta syndrome. The one was 75 years old with acute limb ischemia at the left popliteal artery due to the macroembolism from infrarenal Shaggy Aorta. The other was 76 years old with kidney dialysis, who had suffered from blue toe syndrome due to microembolism from the mobile plaque adhering to the infrarenal aortic wall. We successfully performed graft replacement of the abdominal aorta in order to prevent the recurrence of atheromatous embolization from the Shaggy Aorta. They have been free from any embolic event for the last 1 year. The ultrasonogram was useful for preoperative diagnosis and intraoperative management.

Nuevo enfoque para el tratamiento de las causas de ateroembolia / New approach in the treatment of the causes of ateroembolism

La ateroembolia es una entidad poco conocida y cuyo pronóstico es sombrío, especialmente en aquellos cuadros de ateroembolia diseminada, pero también en casos de ateroembolia distal que provoca un síndrome inflamatorio de respuesta sistémica. Durante 14 años recopilamos 31 casos de ateroembolia, 5 de ellas postoperatorias y 26 casos con orígenes distintos: 20 debido a aorta Shaggy y 6 a otras causas. De las 20 con aorta Shaggy, 10 presentaban ateroembolia. 22 de los 26 casos no iatrogénicos fueron tratados por vía endovascular, con una mortalidad del 9%. De acuerdo a nuestras observaciones, comentamos nuestra conducta y las variaciones en el tratamiento, proponiendo una clasificación que contemple los casos asintomáticos para el tratamiento precoz de estas lesiones aórticas, antes de producir complicaciones severas por ateroembolias o síndromes isquémicos de los miembros inferiores. Asimismo, comentamos aquellos trucos que aprendimos con la observación de los distintos casos reseñados.

A ateroembolia é uma entidade pouco conhecida e cujo prognóstico é sombrio, especialmente em quadros de ateroembolia disseminada, mas que também ocorre em casos de ateroembolia distal, o que provoca uma síndrome inflamatória de resposta sistêmica. Durante 14 anos recolhemos 31 casos de ateroembolia. 5 deles, postoperatórias e 26 casos com origens diferentes: 20 devido à aorta Shaggy e 6 por outras causas. Das 20 com aorta Shaggy, 10 apresentavam ateroembolia. 22 dos 26 casos não iatrogênicos foram tratados via endovascular, com uma mortalidade de 9%. De acordo com as nossas observações, comentamos as condutas e variações no tratamento, propondo uma classificação que inclua os casos assintomáticos para o tratamento precoce destas lesões aórticas, antes de produzir complicações severas por ateroembolias ou síndromes isquêmicos dos miembros inferiores. Comentamos os truques que aprendemos com a observação dos diferentes casos selecionados.

Ateroembolism is not a very well known entity and its prognosis is poor, especially in cases of disseminated ateroembolism, and also in cases of distal ateroembolism which causes aninflammatory syndrome of systemic response. 31 cases of ateroembolism were registered during 14 years, 5 were post-surgical and 26 due to different etiologies: 20 due to shaggy aorta and 6 due to other reasons. Of the 20 cases with shaggy aorta, 10 presented ateroembolism. 22 of the 26 non-iatrogenic cases were treated with the endovascular approach with a 9% mortality. According to our observations, we discussed our approach and treatment options, suggesting a classification which includes asymptomatic cases for early treatment of these aortic lesions, before they induce severe ateroembolic complications or lower limb ischemic syndromes. Likewise, we discuss some tips learnt during the observation of the different cases commented.