Risk stratification of best medical therapy for acute uncomplicated type B intramural hematoma.

OBJECTIVES: Best medical therapy (BMT) for acute uncomplicated type B intramural hematoma (TBIMH) is the current treatment guideline, but there is considerable controversy about subsequent clinical course and outcome, which may be associated with a significant failure rate. The purpose of this study was to identify potential risk factors for BMT failure and to develop a risk score to guide clinical decision making. METHODS: Patients with acute uncomplicated TBIMH between 2011 January and 2020 December were retrospectively studied. Logistic regression was applied to univariately assess potential risk predictors, and multivariable model results were then used to formulate a simplified predictive model for BMT failure. RESULTS: In a total of 61 patients, the overall rate of BMT failure was 57.4% (35/61), of which 48.6% (17/35) occurred within 28 days of onset. Logistic regression identified maximum descending aortic diameter (HR â€‹= â€‹1.99 CI â€‹= â€‹1.16-3.40, p â€‹= â€‹0.012), initial IMH thickness (HR â€‹= â€‹3.29, CI â€‹= â€‹1.28-8.46, p â€‹= â€‹0.013) and presence of focal contrast enhancement (HR â€‹= â€‹3.12, CI â€‹= â€‹1.49-6.54, p â€‹= â€‹0.003) as potential risk predictors of BMT failure. A risk score was calculated as follows: [Max DTA diameter (mm)∗0.6876 â€‹+ â€‹Max IMH thickness (mm)∗1.1918 â€‹+ â€‹PAU/ULP ∗1.1369]. Freedom from BMT failure at 1 year was 72% in patients with a risk score â€‹< â€‹4.12, compared with only 35.1% in those with a risk score â€‹â‰§ â€‹4.12. CONCLUSIONS: In a substantial proportion of patients with acute uncomplicated TBIMH, initial BMT failed. Based on the three initial computed tomographic imaging variables, this risk score could help stratify patients at high or low risk for BMT failure and provided additional information for early intervention.

Endovascular Aortic Arch Reconstruction with Parallel Grafts: A Dilemma of Excessive Endograft Oversizing.

BACKGROUND: Preservation of supra-aortic branches in thoracic endovascular aortic repair plays a role in associated neurological outcomes, and the strategy varies. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a parallel graft technique to reconstruct the aortic arch. METHODS: From August 2014 to July 2018, a total of 25 patients with thoracic aortic pathologies requiring arch reconstruction were included. All patients underwent thoracic aortic endovascular repair (TEVAR) with a zone 1 landing aortic stent graft, a chimney graft to preserve the left common carotid artery, and a periscope graft to preserve the left subclavian artery. The associated outcomes and complications were reported. RESULTS: Eighteen patients presented with aortic dissection, 4 with a thoracic aortic aneurysm, 1 with a penetrating aortic ulcer, 1 with a traumatic aortic injury, and 1 case of re-TEVAR. The technical success rate was 96% (24/25), but the case of immediate failure died of retrograde type A dissection. Over a mean follow-up of 32.33 months, another retrograde type A aortic dissection was detected in 1 month, and a case of early failure (< 1 year) and 3 cases of late failure (> 1 year) whose primary aortic problems recurred were detected. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a total endovascular approach to preserve supra-aortic branches with a parallel graft technique. However, the dilemma of excessive graft oversizing was disclosed due to the risk of retrograde type A dissections and an unsatisfactory durability in this small series.

Handmade fenestrated stent grafts to preserve all supra-aortic branches in thoracic endovascular aortic repair.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a zone 0 landing aortic stent graft with handmade fenestrations for the preservation of all supra-aortic branches in thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). METHODS: This study included 13 consecutive patients who underwent TEVAR using zone 0 landing handmade fenestrated stent grafts to preserve all supra-aortic branches from July 2016 to April 2017. Technical success was defined as the resolution of the primary aortic pathology as well as the preservation of all supra-aortic branches through the accurate alignment of the fenestration. Outcomes including technical success, perioperative morbidity and mortality, requirement of secondary interventions, and graft patency were analyzed. RESULTS: In this study, 11 patients presented with aortic dissection, 1 presented with thoracic aortic aneurysm with impending rupture, and 1 presented with penetrating aortic ulcer of the thoracic aorta. The technical success rate of the primary procedure was 100%. Over a mean follow-up of 20 months, secondary endovascular procedures were performed in 6 patients to resolve 3 cases of stent graft-induced new entry, 2 cases of type Ib endoleak, and 1 case of new false lumen formation. During the study period, no complication resulting from proximal landing and fenestration occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience of using handmade fenestrated stent grafts revealed preliminary results of using the grafts to preserve all supra-aortic branches in TEVAR, and results demonstrated the feasibility of this technique for achieving total arch replacement endovascularly in selective patients. Further technical advancement is anticipated, and larger studies with long-term follow-up are required.

Handmade stent graft fenestration to preserve left subclavian artery in thoracic endovascular aortic repair†.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a handmade fenestrated stent graft over an aortic stent graft for preserving the left subclavian artery (LSA) in thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). METHODS: From July 2015 to October 2018, a total of 32 consecutive patients with various thoracic aortic pathologies who underwent TEVAR in which handmade fenestration over a thoracic aortic stent graft was used for LSA were included. Outcomes including technical success, procedure-related complications, perioperative mortality and morbidity and graft patency were analysed. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients (75.00%) presented with aortic dissection, 5 patients (15.63%) with thoracic aortic aneurysm and 2 patients (6.25%) with penetrating aortic ulcer; 1 patient (3.13%) required re-TEVAR due to endoleak and sac expansion from previous TEVAR for thoraco-abdominal aneurysm. TEVAR was performed in a zone 2 landing with single fenestration for LSA (26 patients, 81.25%), zone 1 landing with double fenestration for both LSA and left common carotid artery (5 patients, 15.63%) or zone 1 landing with single fenestration for LSA and a chimney graft for left common carotid artery (1 patient, 3.13%). The technical success rate, defined as the successful alignment of fenestration to LSA, was 93.75%. At a mean follow-up of 17.3 months, 4 cases of endoleak and 2 cases of stent graft-induced new entry were noted, 3 of which were treated endovascularly. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results demonstrate the viability of preserving LSA blood flow in TEVAR using a handmade stent graft fenestration to treat various aortic pathologies in various clinical situations and the technical feasibility and short-term results that may justify the use of this method in emergency cases.