Open, endovascular, or hybrid repair of aortic arch disease: narrative review of diverse strategies with diverse options.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: The management of aortic arch disease is complex. Open surgical management continues to evolve, and the introduction of endovascular repair is revolutionizing aortic arch surgery. Although these innovative techniques have generated the opportunity for better outcomes in select patients, they have also introduced confusion and uncertainty regarding best practices. In New York, we have developed a collaborative group named the New York Aortic Consortium (NYAC) as a means of crosslinking knowledge and working together to better understand and treat aortic disease. In our meeting in May 2023, regional aortic experts and invited international experts discussed the contemporary management of aortic arch disease, differences in interpretation of the available literature, as well as the integration of endovascular technology into disease management. In this review article, we summarize the current state of aortic arch surgery. RESULTS: Approaches to aortic arch repair have evolved substantially, whether it be methods to reduce cerebral ischaemia, improve hemostasis, simplify future operations, or expand options for high-risk patients with endovascular approaches. However, the transverse aortic arch remains challenging to repair. Amongst our collaborative group of cardiac/aortic surgeons, we discovered a wide disparity in our practice patterns and management strategies of patients with aortic arch disease. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to build unique institutional expertise in the context of complex and evolving management of aortic arch disease with open surgery, endovascular repair, and hybrid approaches, tailored to the risk profiles and anatomical specifics of individual patients.

Amplatzer Vascular Plug for Complicated Residual DeBakey Type 1 Aortic Dissection in the Aortic Arch.

Surgical treatment of acute DeBakey type I aortic dissection does not address the entire aorta, which can leave anatomically complex residual aortic dissection in the aortic arch and descending aorta. Open repair has been the standard treatment for this pathology. When the lesions are located in the aortic arch, re-do total arch replacement needs to be performed. Plug placement to close small entry tears in the aortic arch has been reported. This article reports about a 79-year-old man who underwent hemiarch replacement for acute DeBakey type I aortic dissection. One year later, his proximal descending aorta dilated to 6.3 cm. The patient was treated with Amplatzer plug in the false lumen, and a stent graft was placed in the true lumen. Follow-up computed tomography scan confirmed complete thrombosis of the false lumen in the descending aorta which had decreased from 6.3 to 4.0 cm. Plug placement in the false lumen in the aortic arch is a potential treatment strategy for anatomically complex residual aortic dissection to induce thrombosis of the false lumen and encourage remodeling.

Acute complicated type B aortic dissection during the New York City COVID-19 surge.

The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in New York City (NYC) is dramatic. COVID-19 cases surged, hospitals expanded to meet capacity, and NYC remains the global epicenter of this pandemic. During this unprecedented time, a young woman with known Marfan syndrome presented with an acute complicated type B aortic dissection to our Aortic Center. Using the provisional extension to induce a complete attachment technique, we treated this patient and quickly discharged her the next day to decrease the risk of COVID-19 infection. Her progress was monitored using frequent phone calls and one office visit at two weeks.

A Novel Case of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection During Cabergoline Therapy for Prolactinoma.

We present a case of spontaneous coronary artery dissection associated with cabergoline treatment for prolactinoma. A 31-year-old woman with history of hypertension and prolactinoma, treated with cabergoline, presented with chest pain. She had non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction with double vessel coronary artery dissection and was treated with coronary artery bypass grafting. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.).

The treatment of tuberculous aortic pseudoaneurysm.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to compare the outcomes of tuberculous aortic aneurysms treated with endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) or open surgery. METHODS: An electronic search of the National Library of Medicine PubMed database for tuberculous aortic aneurysm was performed between January 1998 through December 2017. Cases were screened for completeness of information and outcomes were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 56 studies were reviewed, with 61 (20 TEVAR, 41 open surgical repair) having adequate case details and follow-up. The in-hospital/30-day mortality was 0% (0 out of 20) in the TEVAR group and 7% (three out of 41) in the open surgery group (P = .54). Overall mortality was 5% (1/20) in the TEVAR group and 10% (4/41) in the open surgery group (P = .53). Two-year survival and freedom from aneurysm recurrence were comparable in the two groups, P = .45 and P = .94, respectively. One patient in the TEVAR group and one patient in the open surgery group died due to a rupture of a recurrent aortic aneurysm 16 and 28 months after surgery, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: TEVAR and anti-tuberculosis (TB) medications are reasonable initial treatment options for tuberculous aortic aneurysm especially in high-risk patients; however, careful follow-up is necessary.

Conventional aortic valve replacement for elderly patients in the current era.

BACKGROUND: Because of the rising expectation of prolonged life in the general population and the recent recognition of undertreated aortic valve disease in the elderly, updating the available results of aortic valve surgery is imperative, especially considering the rapid evolution of the transcatheter valve implantation procedure. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between 1997 and 2010, 308 patients aged 70 years or older underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic stenosis (AS). Short- and long-term results were analyzed and risk factors for long-term mortality were determined. Mean age was 78.5 years and 124 patients were aged 80 or older. Concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was performed in 46% of the cases. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 52%. Overall observed and expected operative mortality using the Society of Thoracic Surgeons-Predicted Risk of Mortality score was 3.9% and 4.8%, respectively. Overall survival rates at 1, 5, and 10 years were 88.6%, 71.6%, and 31.8%, respectively. Predictors of long-term mortality included diabetes; preoperative shock; LVEF ≤ 40%; New York Heart Association functional class III or IV; and age. CONCLUSIONS: Short- and long-term results of conventional AVR in the elderly prove it to be durable and, especially in relatively low-risk patients and patients who require concomitant CABG, operative mortality is reasonably low. Conventional AVR ± CABG remains the gold standard for elderly patients with AS.

Rigid sternal fixation improves postoperative recovery.

INTRODUCTION: During the past five years, ridged sternal fixation has been utilized for sternal closure after cardiac surgery. It is known that this procedure provides better sternal stability; however, its contribution to patient recovery has not been investigated. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was conducted for patients who underwent CABG and/or valve surgery in our institution between 2009 and 2010. Preoperative, perioperative, and follow-up data of patients with ridgid fixation (group R, n=89) were collected and compared with those patients with conventional sternal closure (group C, n=133). The decision regarding the sternal closure method was based on the surgeon's preferences. Univariate followed by multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the dominant factor of sternal lock usage and to evaluate postoperative recoveries. The factors included in the analyses were; age, sex, coronary risk factors, urgency of surgery, ejection fraction, coronary anatomy, preoperative stroke, renal function, and preoperative presence of heart failure. All statistical analyses were performed by JMP software. RESULTS: Group R was younger (62 ± 9 in group R vs 69 ± 11 in group C, p<0.0001) than group C, more male dominant (61% vs 49%, p=0.0452), had a lower percentage of patients undergoing redo-surgery (2.2% vs 9.0%, p<0.0418), was more likely to be used in isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (71% vs 46%, p=0.0002), more often to be used for large patient (body mass index, BMI greater than 30) (58% vs 37%. P=0.0045), and patients were more likely to have a low EuroSCORE (2.6 ± 2.3 vs 4.4 ± 2.7). Intubation time (13 ± 20 hours vs 39 ± 97 hours, p=0.0030), ICU stay (58 ± 40 hours vs 99 ± 119 hours, p=0.0003), and postoperative length of stay (7.0 ± 3.7 days vs 8.4 ± 4.7 days, p<0.0141) were significantly shorter in group R than group C. Multivariate analyses showed ridged sternal fixation was the most dominant factor affecting intubation time and ICU stay. CONCLUSION: Rigid sternal fixation systems were more frequently applied to low risk young male patients. Among these selected patients, ridgid sternal fixation can contribute to early patient recovery.

Coronary steal syndrome after coronary artery bypass for anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery.

Anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery found in a symptomatic 9-year-old boy was initially treated with coronary artery bypass grafting using a left internal mammary artery anastomoses to the left anterior descending coronary artery, but resulted in coronary ischemia, likely from a steal phenomenon. Subsequent transection of the proximal left internal mammary artery with anastomosis to the ascending aorta, and coronary ostial enlargement, resulted in a durable treatment. We recommend caution in choosing coronary artery bypass grafting using a left internal mammary artery pedicle graft for the treatment of anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery.

Stroke from a large left atrial myxoma.

A 36-year-old male involved in a car accident was found to have an embolic stroke due to a left atrial myxoma. Open heart surgery was delayed 4 weeks to decrease the risk of neurologic complications from the anticoagulation required for cardiopulmonary bypass. After resection of the myxoma, intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography found severe mitral regurgitation, which was repaired.

Comparison of eight prosthetic aortic valves in a cadaver model.

OBJECTIVES: Proper valve selection is critical to ensure appropriate valve replacement for patients, because implantation of a small valve might place the patient at risk for persistent gradients. Labeled valve size is not the same as millimeter measure of prosthetic valve diameters or the annulus into which it will fit. Studies that use the labeled valve size in lieu of actual measured diameter in millimeters to compare different valves might be misleading. Using human cadaver hearts, we sized the aortic annulus with 8 commonly used prosthetic aortic valve sizers and compared the valves using geometric orifice area. This novel method for comparing prosthetic valves allowed us to evaluate multiple valves for implantation into the same annulus. METHODS: Aortic annular area was determined in 66 cadavers. Valve sizers for 8 prosthetic valves were used to determine the appropriate valve for aortic valve replacement. Regression analyses were performed to compare the relationship between geometric orifice area and aortic annular area. RESULTS: Tissue valves had a larger orifice area for any annular size but were not different at small sizes. Supra-annular valves were larger than intra-annular valves for the small annulus, but this relationship was not uniform with increasing annular size. CONCLUSIONS: Labeled valve size relates unpredictably to annular size and orifice area. No advantage in geometric orifice area could be demonstrated between these tissue valves at small annular sizes. Valves with the steepest slope on regression analysis might provide a larger benefit with upsizing with respect to geometric orifice area.

Aorto-innominate fistula by gun-shot injury: a case report.

We report an aorto-innominate fistula caused by gun-shot injury. The fistula was diagnosed by aortography and repaired under hypothermic circulatory arrest.

Inflammatory aneurysm of the descending aorta: a case report.

We report a rare case of an inflammatory descending aneurysm. At surgery, the patient had multiple aneurysms on the descending aorta. Histology of the specimen demonstrated an infiltration of chronic inflammatory cells in the aortic media.