The role of surgeon's intuition for acute type A aortic dissection in an era of evidence-based medicine: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Intuition may play a role in clinical practice. This prospective cohort study aimed to explore whether surgeons' intuition is valid in predicting the operative mortality of acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD). Methods: After admission (before surgery), attending surgeons were asked to rate the mortality on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 to 3 representing unlikely, 4-6 possible, and 7-10 very likely. The area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to assess the accuracy of prediction models. Results: A significantly higher Surgeon's Score [5.0 (2.0, 8.0) vs. 8.0 (7.0, 10.0)] was observed in the mortality group, compared to the survival group. The odds ratio (OR) for Surgeon's Score was 1.32 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09-1.66, P=0.009]. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression picked the following variables as significant predictors for early mortality of ATAAD: Surgeon's Score, Penn classification, age, aortic regurgitation, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, platelet count, and ejection fraction. The AUC for the German Registry for Acute Aortic Dissection Type A (GERAADA) score and Surgeon's Score were 0.740 (95% CI: 0.625-0.854), and 0.710 (95% CI: 0.586-0.833), respectively. The combined model of GERAADA score and Surgeon's Score yielded an AUC of up to 0.761 (95% CI: 0.638-0.884). Conclusions: Intuition certainly has a place alongside evidence-based medicine. The duet of intuition and statistics-based scoring systems allows us to make more accurate predictions, potentially resulting in more rational clinical decisions.

Does the weekend effect exist for acute type A aortic dissection?-a retrospective case-control study.

Background: The weekend effect refers to the mortality difference for patients admitted/operated on weekends compared to those on weekdays. The study aimed to provide new evidence on the impact of the weekend effect on acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD). Methods: Primary endpoints were operative mortality, stroke, paraplegia, and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). A meta-analysis of current evidence on the weekend effect was first conducted. Analyses based on single-center data (retrospective, case-control study) were further performed. Results: A total of 18,462 individuals were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled results showed that mortality was not significantly higher for ATAAD on weekends compared to that on weekdays [odds ratio (OR): 1.16, 95% CI: 0.94-1.43]. The single-center cohort included 479 patients, which also showed no significant differences in primary and secondary outcomes between the two groups. The unadjusted OR for weekend group over weekday group was 0.90 (95% CI: 0.40-1.86, P=0.777). The adjusted OR for weekend group was 0.94 (95% CI: 0.41-2.02, P=0.880) controlling for significant preoperative factors, and 0.75 (95% CI: 0.30-1.74, P=0.24) controlling for significant preoperative and operative factors altogether. In PSM matched cohort, the operative mortality was still comparable between the weekend group [10 (7.2%)] and weekday group [9 (6.5%)] (P=1.000). No significant survival difference was observed between the two groups (P=0.970). Conclusions: The weekend effect was not found to be applicable to ATAAD. However, clinicians should be cautious of the weekend effect as it is disease-specific and may vary across healthcare systems.

Inferior Mesenteric Artery Snorkel for Endovascular Treatment of a Large Degenerating Saccular Aneurysm.

Objective: Preservation of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) during endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) is necessary for prevention of mesenteric ischaemia in the case of chronically occluded coeliac and superior mesenteric arteries (SMA). This case report presents an approach in a complex patient. Methods: A 74 year old man with hepatitis C cirrhosis and recent non-ST elevation myocardial infarction presented with an infrarenal degenerating saccular aneurysm (58 mm), chronically occluded SMA and coeliac artery, and 9 mm IMA with high grade ostial stenosis. He also had concomitant atherosclerosis of the aorta with a narrow distal aortic lumen of 14 mm, which tapered to 11 mm at the aortic bifurcation. Endovascular attempts to cross long segment occlusions of the SMA and coeliac artery were unsuccessful. Thus, EVAR was performed using the unibody AFX2 endograft and chimney revascularisation of the IMA using a VBX stent graft. One year follow up demonstrated regression of the aneurysm sac to 53 mm with patent IMA graft and no endoleak. Conclusion: Few reports have described techniques for endovascular preservation of the IMA, which is a necessary consideration in the context of coeliac and SMA occlusion. Because open surgery was not a good option for this patient, available endovascular options had to be weighed up. An added challenge was the exceptionally narrow aortic lumen in the context of aortic and iliac atherosclerotic disease. It was decided that the anatomy was prohibitive for a fenestrated design and extensive calcification was too limiting for gate cannulation of a modular graft. Thus a bifurcated unibody aortic endograft with chimney stent grafting of the IMA was successfully used as a definitive solution.

Technical Feasibility and Safety of a Snare-Less, EVAR-First Technique for Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the technical feasibility, safety, and early outcomes of a snare-less, endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR)-first technique (SET) for iliac branch endoprosthesis (IBE) placement. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all patients who received IBEs between July 2018 and March 2022. Patients were divided into 2 categories based on method of IBE deployment: SET or Standard. Primary endpoints were technical success, major adverse events, mortality, reintervention, internal iliac artery (IIA) patency, and freedom from IIA branch instability. Technical success was defined by successful deployment of both the EVAR and the IBE with maintained patency of the IIA and no stent graft migration. RESULTS: There were 20 patients (90% male, median age 72 [65.4-74.5] years) who underwent IBE placement. Among these, 5 (33.3%) underwent SET to treat 5 common iliac artery (CIA)/IIA aneurysms, while the remaining 15 (66.7%) underwent standard IBE deployment with through-and-through femoral access (n=13) or trans-brachial access (n=2) to treat 19 CIA/IIA aneurysms. Overall median renal to iliac bifurcation length was 169 (152-177) mm, with 9 patients falling short of the minimum of 165 mm for on-label IBE placement. Median contrast used was 148 (120-201) mL, fluoroscopy time 42.8 (35.0-49.8) minutes, estimated blood loss 200 (100-275) mL, and procedure time 192 (167-246) minutes, with no significant differences between the 2 groups. Technical success was achieved in 100% of cases. At 30 days, there were no mortalities or major adverse events in either group; there were 100% IIA patency, no IIA instability, and no reinterventions in both groups. Median follow-up in the SET group was 5.7 (5.5-6.2) months, with 1 death at 6 months and 1 type 1B endoleak at 6 months requiring reintervention. Median follow-up for the Standard group was 1.6 (0.8-2.1) years with 2 non-aneurysm-related deaths and no reinterventions at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: SET for IBE is a safe and effective approach that decreases technical complexity and mitigates anatomic barriers to IBE placement. CLINICAL IMPACT: SET for IBE is a safe and effective approach to IBE placement that decreases technical complexity. A critical component to this technique is a large bore sheath with a stiff steerable tip. Importantly, this approach also mitigates anatomic barriers to IBE placement, expanding applicability of IBE technology to patients who may be otherwise ineligible.

Fate of the unoperated ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm: three-decade experience from the Aortic Institute at Yale University.

AIMS: This study aims to outline the 'true' natural history of ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm (ATAA) based on a cohort of patients not undergoing surgical intervention. METHODS AND RESULTS: The outcomes, risk factors, and growth rates of 964 unoperated ATAA patients were investigated, over a median follow-up of 7.9 (maximum of 34) years. The primary endpoint was adverse aortic events (AAE), including dissection, rupture, and aortic death. At aortic sizes of 3.5-3.9, 4.0-4.4, 4.5-4.9, 5.0-5.4, 5.5-5.9, and ≥6.0 cm, the average yearly risk of AAE was 0.2%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 1.4%, 2.0%, and 3.5%, respectively (P < 0.001), and the 10-year survival free from AAE was 97.8%, 98.2%, 97.3%, 84.6%, 80.4%, and 70.9%, respectively (P < 0.001). The risk of AAE was relatively flat until 5 cm of aortic size, at which it began to increase rapidly (P for non-linearity <0.001). The mean annual growth rate was estimated to be 0.10 ± 0.01 cm/year. Ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms grew in a very slow manner, and aortic growth over 0.2 cm/year was rarely seen. Multivariable Cox regression identified aortic size [hazard ratio (HR): 1.78, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.50-2.11, P < 0.001] and age (HR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00-1.05, P = 0.015) as significant independent risk factors for AAE. Interestingly, hyperlipidemia (HR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.23-0.91, P = 0.025) was found to be a significant protective factor for AAE in univariable Cox regression. CONCLUSION: An aortic size of 5 cm, rather than 5.5 cm, may be a more appropriate intervention criterion for prophylactic ATAA repair. Aortic growth may not be an applicable indicator for intervention.

Elucidating the Role of the AFX2 Endograft in Endovascular Treatment of Aortic Pathology.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to elucidate the role of the AFX2 platform in the endovascular treatment of aortic pathology. METHODS: All procedures by a single surgeon resulting in implantation of a bifurcated unibody stent graft were reviewed retrospectively. Indications for selection of the AFX2 endograft in each case were evaluated. Aortic anatomy was determined via review of pre-operative computed tomography (CT) scans. Cumulative event probabilities for endoleak, reintervention, and mortality were estimated. Patient and procedural details were described using mean, standard deviation, medians, and interquartile range (IQR). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis estimated freedom from mortality and reintervention. Cumulative incidence probabilities were calculated as one minus the Kaplan-Meier estimator. RESULTS: Between March 2018 and December 2020, the author (NN) used 142 aortic endografts in 142 patients. Of these, 46 (32.4%) were AFX2 endografts and the remaining were modular bifurcated devices, predominantly Medtronic Endurant II and Terumo Treo. No AFX-Strata or AFX-Duraply devices were placed. Amongst the patients who received an AFX2, mean age was 71.3 +/- 9.8 years with 84.8% male. Median operative time was 116 (86-166) min, with contrast dose of 79 (41-120) milliliters and fluoroscopy time of 12 (8.6-18) min. Overall, 78.3% (n = 36) of AFX2 devices were placed in aortas with maximum true lumen diameter <5.0 cm. Median postoperative follow-up was 1.7 years (IQR 1.0-2.4 years), with a maximum follow-up of 3.6 years. There was 1 patient lost to follow-up at 5 months. The 2-year incidence of type II endoleak, reintervention, and all-cause mortality was 12.7% (95% confidence interval CI, 0-29.6%), 2.2% (95% CI, 0-6.3%), and 11.3% (95% CI, 0.1-2.1.2%), respectively. There were no type I or III endoleaks. CONCLUSIONS: The AFX2 endograft plays a safe and effective role in treatment of infrarenal aortic pathologies that may be otherwise more technically challenging for traditional modular, bifurcated devices.

False lumen access for trans-septal thoracic endovascular aortic repair in a 10-cm dissecting thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm.

Endovascular treatment of the chronically dissected aorta can be especially challenging due to unending variations in post-dissection configurations. Traditionally, basic principles of thoracic endovascular aortic repair rely on bilateral femoral access and deployment of a stent-graft within the true lumen. In the present report, we describe a case of trans-septal thoracic endovascular aortic repair in a patient with complex chronic residual type B aortic dissection (1,10) with dilation up to 10 cm in the context of a chronically occluded right external iliac artery, and a left iliofemoral system supplied by the false lumen.

Alternative Endograft Aortoiliac Reconstruction for Iliac Branch Endoprostheses.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular treatment of complex common iliac artery (CIA) and internal iliac artery (IIA) aneurysms using iliac branch endoprostheses (IBE) has proven safe and effective. Instructions for use (IFU) require deployment of current IBE technology with the corresponding manufacturer's modular bifurcated aortic endograft. Concomitant aortoiliac occlusive disease, inadequate renal artery-iliac bifurcation length, and unfavorable aortic anatomy preclude on-label IBE deployment. This study aimed to evaluate the technical feasibility and safety of Alternative Endograft Aortoiliac Reconstruction (AEGAR) for branched endovascular treatment of complex iliac artery aneurysms. METHODS: In 7 consecutive patients with CIA or IIA aneurysms, computed tomography angiography (CTA) and center-line reconstruction revealed aortoiliac anatomy incompatible with the current IBE IFU due to inadequate proximal CIA landing zone (n = 7), inadequate renal artery to iliac bifurcation length (n = 2), compromised aortic anatomy (n = 3), or short infrarenal neck <15 mm (n = 1), either alone or in combination. To overcome these restrictions and facilitate IBE deployment, aortoiliac reconstruction was performed using the Endologix AFX, Endologix Ovation limbs or the Medtronic Endurant II platforms (AEGAR technique). All internal iliac artery reconstructions and external iliac artery extensions were performed using the Gore VBX or Viabahn stent grafts. Technical success was defined as successful delivery of all endograft components without migration or endoleak. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 69 years (range 52-82 years; 6 male). Four patients had bilateral CIA aneurysms and 3 patients had unilateral CIA aneurysms (mean diameter 4.3cm; range 2.2-7 cm). There were 13 IIA VBX stent grafts used for a total of 9 IIAs treated with IBE (bilateral IBE = 2 patients). The mean fluoroscopy time was 38.8 min (range 21.3-64.3 min) and the mean contrast volume was 168.5 mL (range 122-226 mL). Technical success was achieved in all patients and there were no perioperative complications. Mean hospital-stay was 2.2 days (range 1-3 days). Follow-up ranged from 82-957 days (mean = 487 days). At last follow-up, all patients were alive without cardiovascular morbidity; and CTA revealed stable or decreased aneurysm size, patent endografts, and no evidence of endoleak or migration. CONCLUSIONS: The AEGAR technique can be used to safely and effectively overcome certain aortoiliac anatomic constraints that preclude use of current IBE technology. We encourage broader use of these alternative endografts in pertinent anatomic configurations.

Emergent percutaneous chimney endovascular aortic repair of a secondary aortoenteric fistula in the setting of a solitary kidney.

Secondary aortoenteric fistula is a potentially lethal complication after aortic surgery. Traditional treatment consists of open graft excision with extra-anatomic bypass or in situ reconstruction. Patients who present in extremis, however, are generally poor candidates for re-do open aortic surgery. Endovascular repair has emerged as an alternative treatment modality for patients who would otherwise be unable to tolerate an extended operation. We report here a case of urgent endovascular repair of a juxtarenal secondary aortoenteric fistula via endovascular aneurysm repair with a renal artery chimney in a patient with a solitary kidney who presented in hemorrhagic and septic shock.

Superselective carotid body tumor embolization with platinum-based coils.

Resection of Shamblin II and III carotid body tumors can be challenging owing to the potential for significant blood loss. Prophylactic use of liquid embolic agents poses a risk of inflammatory reactions and nontarget embolization. On the other hand, coil embolization has traditionally been limited to cases involving external carotid artery sacrifice. Herein we demonstrate that superselective targeting of tumor-feeding vessels using platinum based, fully detachable packing coils is effective at sustained devascularization of Shamblin II and III carotid body tumors without subsequent inflammation, allowing for a longer interval between embolization and tumor resection, and potentially reducing blood loss without need for ligation or reconstruction of the internal or external carotid artery.

Natural history of descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.

OBJECTIVES: Elucidating critical aortic diameters at which natural complications (rupture, dissection, and death) occur is of paramount importance to guide timely surgical intervention. Natural history knowledge for descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms is sparse. Our small early studies recommended repairing descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms before a critical diameter of 7.0 cm. We focus exclusively on a large number of descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms followed over time, enabling a more detailed analysis with greater granularity across aortic sizes. METHODS: Aortic diameters and long-term complications of 907 patients with descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms were reviewed. Growth rates (instrumental variables approach), yearly complication rates, 5-year event-free survival (Kaplan-Meier), and risk of complications as a function of aortic height index (aortic diameter [centimeters]/height [meters]) (competing-risks regression) were calculated. RESULTS: Estimated mean growth rate of descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms was 0.19 cm/year, increasing with increasing aortic size. Median size at acute type B dissection was 4.1 cm. Some 80% of dissections occurred below 5 cm, whereas 93% of ruptures occurred above 5 cm. Descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm diameter 6 cm or greater was associated with a 19% yearly rate of rupture, dissection, or death. Five-year complication-free survival progressively decreased with increasing aortic height index. Hazard of complications showed a 6-fold increase at an aortic height index of 4.2 or greater compared with an aortic height index of 3.0 to 3.5 (P < .05). The probability of fatal complications (aortic rupture or death) increased sharply at 2 hinge points: 6.0 and 6.5 cm. CONCLUSIONS: Acute type B dissections occur frequently at small aortic sizes; thus, prophylactic size-based surgery may not afford a means for dissection protection. However, fatal complications increase dramatically at 6.0 cm, suggesting that preemptive intervention before that criterion can save lives.

Increased Virulence of Descending Thoracic and Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms in Women.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluates sex differences in the natural history of descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (DTTAAs). METHODS: In all, 907 patients with descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic sizes greater than 3 cm were retrospectively reviewed. Growth rate estimates were performed utilizing an instrumental variables approach. Yearly complication rates as a function of aortic size were computed. RESULTS: There were 615 men (67.8%) and 292 women (32.2%) treated between 1990 and 2018, with mean aortic diameters of 4.1 ± 1.4 cm and 4.8 ± 1.6 cm, respectively (P < .001). The mean growth rate of DTTAAs was 0.17 cm per year in men and 0.25 cm per year in women (P < .001), increasing with increasing aneurysm size. Dissection, rupture, or aortic death or the combination of the three occurred at double the rate for women compared with men (5.8% vs 2.3% per year for the combined endpoint). Diameter of DTTAA greater than 5 cm was associated with 26.3% (male) and 33.1% (female) average yearly rates of the composite endpoint of rupture, dissection, and death (P < .05). The probability of fatal complications (rupture and death) increased sharply at 5.75 cm in both sexes. Between 4.5 and 5.75 cm, there was another hinge-point of higher probability of fatal complications among women. CONCLUSIONS: Women diagnosed with DTTAA fare worse. Faster aneurysm growth and higher rates of dissection, rupture, and aortic death are apparent among women. Current guidelines recommend surgical intervention at 5.5 to 6 cm for DTTAAs without sex considerations. Our findings suggest that increased virulence of DTTAA in women may indicate surgery at a somewhat smaller diameter.

Retreatment of a recanalized splenic artery aneurysm using a low-profile microembolization platform.

Recanalization of a splenic artery aneurysm owing to incomplete transcatheter coil embolization is uncommon. In addition to the challenges of inherent vessel tortuosity, reintervention via catheterization of the main splenic artery presents unique difficulties in navigating across potentially obstructive preexisting coils. We describe here the application of a low-profile microembolization platform, most commonly used in neurovascular interventions, in the treatment of a tortuous, expanding splenic artery aneurysm that had previously undergone failed coil embolization.

Snare-assisted thoracic endovascular aortic repair for redirection of a false lumen elephant trunk.

In recent years, a hybrid approach to the classic two-stage elephant trunk technique has come into favor for treatment of thoracic aortic dissection. During the first stage, inadvertent intraoperative placement of the elephant trunk into the false lumen can occur on rare occasions, resulting in untoward difficulties during the second stage of the procedure. We describe here a snare-assisted technique for endovascular salvage of an elephant trunk that had inadvertently been placed in the false lumen of a chronic aortic dissection.

Surgical Management and Outcomes of the Aortic Root in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the short- and middle-term outcomes of different aortic root managements in the setting of acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD): aortic root repair (ARR group), untouched aortic root (UAR group), and Bentall procedure (Bentall group). METHODS: The study enrolled 673 patients (512 men; age 48.8 ± 11.2 years) between 2010 and 2015. Survival, aortic growth, reintervention, and valve function were compared between the 3 groups. RESULTS: The ages were 50.6 ± 9.9, 49.8 ± 12.2, and 44.0 ± 12.0 years for ARR, UAR, and Bentall groups, respectively (P < .01). The mean follow-up time was 3.0 years (range, 0.5-6.8 years). The aortic root diameters in the groups were 39.0 ± 5.1 mm in ARR, 38.2 ± 4.4 mm in UAR, and 50.3 ± 6.2 mm in Bentall (P < .01). The overall 30-day mortality was 11.7% (79 of 673). There was no difference in 30-day mortality between the 3 groups (P = .58). The estimated aortic root growth rate was 0.60 ± 0.17 mm/y for ARR and 0.50 ± 0.14 mm/y for UAR. During follow-up, 28 patients (4.1%) died. Differences in 5-year survival between the 3 groups did not reach statistical significance (P = .82). Aortic insufficiency greater than grade 2+ developed in 15 patients (2.2%). There was no significant difference between ARR and UAR in freedom from aortic insufficiency greater than grade 2+ (P = .56). None of the patients experienced new dissection or underwent proximal reoperation during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Conservative techniques (ARR and UAR) and aggressive root replacement can both be performed with excellent short- and middle-term outcomes in ATAAD. Thus, an individualized approach in managing the aortic root for ATAAD is recommended based on the patient's general condition, root pathology, and the surgeon's preference.

Coil embolization of bilateral internal mammary artery aneurysms in the setting of a heterozygous missense variant of unknown significance in COL5A1 and fibromuscular dysplasia.

Internal mammary artery aneurysms are rare but serious clinical entities. Rupture results in hemothorax and can be life threatening. Most reported cases are pseudoaneurysms secondary to iatrogenic or traumatic causes. Noniatrogenic, nontraumatic, true internal mammary artery aneurysms have most commonly been associated with vasculitides or connective tissue disorders; rare cases have been deemed idiopathic. We describe a rare case of bilateral internal mammary artery aneurysms-successfully treated with coil embolization-in the setting of heterozygosity for a missense variant of unknown significance in the COL5A1 gene and multifocal fibrodysplastic changes on angiography.