Total aortic arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk technique for intramural haematoma of the thoracic aorta.

Presenting this video tutorial, we want to demonstrate a step-by-step surgical approach to acute intramural haematoma of the thoracic aorta without a definite entry tear. Limited by the aortic valve proximally, the intramural haematoma involved the aortic root, ascending aorta, aortic arch, including adjacent parts of supra-aortic branches, and descending aorta extending to the diaphragmatic level. The operative strategy involved urgent total aortic arch replacement with the frozen elephant trunk technique and anatomical reimplantation of the three supra-aortic vessels. The direct open over-the-wire technique was used to cannulate the right axillary artery, and standard venous cannulation was performed while brain protection was achieved with bilateral selective antegrade cerebral perfusion.

The Use of a Proximal Anastomotic Device to the Side of the Aortic Arch in CABG and AVR: a Case Report / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

A 73-year-old woman presented at our hospital with dyspnea. Echocardiography showed severe aortic stenosis and a coronary angiography revealed right coronary artery disease. Therefore, we performed aortic valve replacement (AVR) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. Proximal anastomosis was initially attempted to the ascending aorta. However, the ascending aorta was thin and weak, we decided to anastomose to the side of the aortic arch. Proximal anastomosis was performed with an anastomotic device. Postoperative coronary computed tomography (CT) showed that the graft was patent.

A modified prosthesis eversion technique for proximal anastomosis in ascending aorta replacement.

Background: One of the crucial aspects of ascending aorta replacement is to achieve hemostasis of the proximal anastomosis. This study aimed to describe a modified prosthesis eversion technique for proximal anastomosis in ascending aorta replacement and compare its operative outcomes with the conventional prosthesis eversion technique. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients who had ascending aortic aneurysm and underwent ascending aorta replacement with the modified or conventional prosthesis eversion technique between January 2019 and December 2022 in our center. Results: A total of 108 patients were included: 55 in the modified group and 53 in the conventional group. The durations of cardiopulmonary bypass, aortic cross-clamping and total operation in the conventional group were longer than those in the modified group. Furthermore, perioperative blood loss and the incidence of re-exploration for bleeding were significantly lower in the modified group. Accordingly, patients in the conventional group accepted more blood transfusion. The modified group had a shorter duration in intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital, and lower total hospitalization costs than those in the conventional group. Conclusions: The modified prosthesis eversion technique is an effective alternative for proximal anastomosis in ascending aorta replacement, with less blood loss, shorter operation time, and lower rate of postoperative complications compared with the conventional technique.

Early efficacy of water sac blocking versus Heartstring for proximal anastomosis during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective:To compare the early effect of water sac blocking and Heartstring for proximal anastomosis of the calcific ascending aorta.Methods:The data of 400 consecutive patients undergoing elective off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting(OPCABG) in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2022 to June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. 46 patients with calcific ascending aorta including 40 males and 6 females, with the age ranged from 53 to 73 years and an average of(65.2±5.1) years, who were revealed by preoperative chest CT scan and intraoperative palpation. According to the method of proximal anastomosis, the patients were divided into 2 groups: water sac blocking group(n=19) and Heartstring group(n=27). The effect of preventing postoperative stroke was compared by counting the incidence of postoperative stroke. The efficacy of the 2 methods was compared by detecting the flow and pulsatility fraction of the saphenous vein trunk during surgery, observing the dynamic changes of the electrocardiogram and cTnI level within 48h after the surgery, and reviewing the coronary CTA 3 months after discharge.Results:There was no perioperative death, and all the patients were discharged 4-13 days postoperatively. No adverse events such as stroke and malignant ventricular arrhythmia occurred during perioperative period. 1 patient in each group developed low cardiac output syndrome postoperatively, and both improved after IABP placement. 1 patient in Heartstring group developed acute inferior myocardial infarction, which was improved after IABP placement. Coronary CTA 3 months after operation showed that there was no proximal anastomotic stenosis in both groups.Conclusion:There is no significant difference between the 2 proximal anastomosis methods in preventing stroke after OPCABG in patients with ascending aortic calcification. Compared with Heartstring, water sac blocking does not increase the risk of proximal anastomotic stenosis. In addition, water sac blocking does not require expensive consumables, which is especially suitable for patients with limited funds and can be generalized.

Comparison of two techniques in proximal anastomosis in acute type A aortic dissection.

Background: The proximal anastomosis is an important procedure during the acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) surgery. The conventional method is a double patch sandwich technique with Teflon felt. Adventitial eversion and prosthesis eversion technique as a novel approach has been applied to many patients in our center. Herein, This technique would be introduced, and the perioperative and 1-year follow-up results of the two different anastomosis methods were also evaluated. Methods: Between December 2017 and May 2021, 143 AAAD patients who underwent total arch replacement (TAR) and frozen elephant trunk (FET) implantation were included in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into the eversion technique group (adventitial eversion and prosthesis eversion technique for proximal anastomosis, n = 64) and the sandwich technique group (n = 79). Results: The medical records were analyzed and compared between the groups. The mean operation time was 466 ± 73 min in the eversion technique group and 513 ± 81 min in the sandwich technique group (P < 0.001). Compared with the sandwich technique group, the eversion technique group also showed a shorter time on proximal anastomosis (38 ± 12 min vs. 58 ± 20 min, P < 0.001), cardiopulmonary bypass (195 ± 26 vs. 211 ± 40 min, P = 0.003), and aortic cross-clamp (120 ± 23 min vs. 134 ± 27 min, P = 0.002). Furthermore, a decreased proportion of >600 ml fresh frozen plasmas transfusion was observed in eversion technique group (10.9% vs. 34.2%, P = 0.002). No statistical differences were found in the postoperative morbidities and 1-year follow-up outcomes. Conclusion: Proximal anastomosis with adventitial eversion and prosthesis eversion technique is a promising surgical option for AAAD patients, with favorable perioperative and 1-year follow-up results.

Double mattress suture lines for valve-sparing aortic root replacement.

Valve sparing aortic root replacement remains a complex procedure despite various improvements that have been made to this operation. Specifically, a hemostatic proximal anastomosis is one of the most important factors for successful completion of the operation without complication. Here we describe a double mattress suture line technique, which facilitates a secure and hemostatic proximal suture line.

Simple and safe removal modification of the HEARTSTRING device.

HEARTSTRING is a useful proximal anastomosis assist device, but it has a drawback in that the removal process is irreversible. If thread cutting occurs during the tying process, repair without side clamping is difficult. We developed a simple modified technique for the safe removal of the HEARTSTRING device.

A practical and inexpensive proximal anastomosis technique in calcified aorta.

Patients with severely calcified aorta have high risk of atheroemboli and bleeding during cardiac surgery. Clamping the ascending aorta to initiate cardiac arrest or to perform proximal anastomosis is a challenging problem. Beating heart coronary artery bypass grafting without aortic clamping is usually accepted as the best solution. Herein, we present a feasible and inexpensive proximal anastomosis technique without using aortic clamps for patients with severely atherosclerotic aorta.

An easy and useful exposure technique using a malleable u-shaped retractor for proximal anastomosis in abdominal aortic replacement.

During surgery for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, various problems can occur at the proximal anastomosis. Adequate exposure must be secured, and the proximal anastomosis must be sutured firmly. We have used a malleable U-shaped retractor to easily secure exposure of the proximal anastomosis. Despite recent advances in endovascular treatment, abdominal aortic aneurysm repair often requires open surgery. We describe our malleable U-shaped retractor technique, which is very easy and facilitates the creation of a secure proximal anastomosis.

Technological solutions for cardiac surgery in the elderly.

The current review addresses contemporary technological advances in cardiac surgery performed on octogenarian patients, namely off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), proximal anastomosis device, routine use of intraoperative epiaortic ultrasound, proximal anastomosis without clamping, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), and brain protection during cardiac surgery.

Anastomotic devices in coronary artery surgery: it is about the anastomosis?

Excellent long-term graft patency remains the primary goal of any surgical coronary revascularization procedure, irrespective of how the operation itself is performed. Inter- and intra-surgeon variability in the surgical technique and in the subsequent quality of the anastomosis have the potential to significantly impact not only on graft patency but also, as a result, on patient outcomes. Anastomotic devices, proximal and distal, can facilitate the creation of rapid, reproducible, compliant anastomoses, on- or off-pump, in potentially difficult-to-access areas, often through minimal-access incisions, potentially with neuro-protective benefits, and can thus mitigate some of the hazards inherent in manually constructing anastomoses in technically challenging or suboptimal conditions. We review the three most commonly employed anastomotic devices in adult cardiac surgical practice today.

Artéria femoral profunda: uma opção como origem de fluxo para derivações infrageniculares / Deep femoral artery: an option as inflow site in infragenicular bypasses

CONTEXTO: Na isquemia crítica, a artéria femoral profunda pode tornar-se a opção mais distal como origem de fluxo para derivações distais em casos de oclusão da origem da artéria femoral superficial associada a prega inguinal hostil. OBJETIVO:Avaliar, retrospectivamente, a artéria femoral profunda como doadora de fluxo para derivações infrageniculares. MÉTODOS: De 2000 a 2005, 129 derivações infrageniculares apresentaram anastomose proximal nas artérias femorais, comum (40), superficial (72) e profunda (17). O presente estudo teve como foco a artéria femoral profunda, e suas indicações foram: prega inguinal hostil (seis casos), limite da extensão do substituto (seis casos) e ambos os fatores (outros cinco casos). Foram abordadas a primeira e a segunda porção em 12 casos e a terceira porção em cinco casos. As cirurgias foram secundárias em 47% dos casos, e os substitutos utilizados foram veias do membro superior em 11 casos, safena interna em cinco e safena externa em um caso. RESULTADOS: No total dos enxertos (129), as estimativas de perviedade primária e salvamento do membro foram: 68,0% e 84,7%, respectivamente, com erro padrão (EP) aceitável (0,1) em 36 meses. Quando o grupo foi estratificado, as artérias femorais comum, superficial e profunda apresentaram resultados comparáveis de perviedade primária (63,3, 70,2 e 64,7%; p = 0,63) e salvamento do membro (83,1, 82,4 e 92,3%; p = 0,78). A perviedade dos enxertos com origem nas porções proximal e distal da artéria femoral profunda, bem como das cirurgias primárias e secundárias, foram comparáveis, sem diferença estatística significante (p = 0,89 e p = 0,77, respectivamente). CONCLUSÃO: A artéria femoral profunda mostrou ser acessível e efetiva como origem de fluxo de enxertos infrageniculares, com resultados satisfatórios de perviedade e salvamento do membro.

BACKGROUND: Deep femoral artery can be the most distal technical option as donor site in patients with critical limb ischemia presenting superficial artery occlusion and hostile groins. OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively assess the deep femoral artery as an inflow site for infragenicular bypass grafts. METHODS: From 2000 to 2005, 129 infragenicular bypass grafts with proximal anastomosis located in femoral arteries were performed. Forty were located in the common femoral artery (CFA), 72 in the superficial femoral artery (SFA) and 17 in the deep femoral artery (DFA). Indications for using the DFA as inflow were hostile groin (six cases), limited arterial substitute length (six cases) or both (five cases). Anastomosis site was located in the first or second portion in 12 cases, and in the third in five cases. The surgery was secondary in 47% of the cases, and the arterial substitutes used were arm veins (11), greater saphenous vein (five) and lesser saphenous vein (one). RESULTS: Primary patency and limb salvage rates were 68.0 and 84.7%, respectively, with acceptable standard error (0.1) in 36 months. The results of patency divided by inflow artery were similar (CFA, 63.3%; SFA, 70.2%; DFA 64.7%; p = 0.63), as well as limb salvage rates (CFA, 83.1%; SFA, 82.4%; DFA 92.3%; p = 0.78). Analyzing the deep femoral group, no difference of patency rates was observed when the anastomotic site was compared (proximal vs. distal portions of the DFA) or between patients with or without previous grafts. (p = 0.89 and 0.77, respectively). CONCLUSION: Deep femoral artery is a feasible and effective option as donor site for infragenicular bypass grafts, with satisfactory patency and limb salvage rates.

A Case of Distal Aortic Arch Aneurysm with Tracheal Compression. Successful Repair with Open Proximal Anastomosis / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

A 55-year-old man was admitted with a thoracic aortic aneurysm causing wheezing. Computed tomography and angiography revealed a large distal aortic saccular aneurysm, occupying the retrotracheal space and compressing the trachea. There has been only one report of this type of aneurysm. This patient needed emergency intubation because of severe dyspnea caused by premedication for surgery. Replacement of the distal arch was performed via left posterolateral thoracotomy. Profound hypothermia was used during open proximal anastomosis, which helped to make this procedure safe and simple. This patient recovered uneventfully.