Symptomatic extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysm deferred repair.

Extracranial carotid artery aneurysm is a rare condition (0.3-0.6% of the population), yet it has a significant cost to public health as the aneurysm is often revealed by stroke. Open and endovascular management of this condition have already been described, but no optimal treatment strategy could have been determined due to the lack of data. We present a case of a symptomatic extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysm revealed by an ischemic Sylvian stroke, followed shortly by a parenchymal haemorrhage. Surgery had to be postponed for ten weeks due to the initial risk of massive haemorrhagic transformation. To prevent thromboembolic event in the preoperative period, we introduced aspirin at first. It was replaced by tinzaparin when regression of parenchymal haemorrhage was assessed by control-computerised tomography (CT) 35 days later. No thromboembolic event happened during the preoperative period, up to Day 70 when surgery was performed. Aneurysm was successfully repaired with prosthetic polytetrafluoroethylene interposition bypass. The only complication observed was a transient XIIth cranial nerve injury due to large mobilisation during the surgery. No other neurological or cardiovascular event happened during nine months in the postoperative follow-up period. Literature about extracranial carotid artery aneurysm is scarce, mostly composed of small cases series. More data are needed to ascertain an optimal treatment strategy. In this optic, we report a case of an extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysm successfully treated surgically, after three weeks of antiplatelet therapy followed by seven weeks of anticoagulant therapy.

Outcomes of Left Subclavian Artery Transposition for Hybrid Aortic Arch Debranching.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes of left subclavian artery (LSA) revascularization for hybrid aortic arch debranching. METHODS: Between 1998 and 2015, 68 patients (41 men; mean age, 67 ± 16 years) underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with LSA coverage, 19.2% (n = 13) were never revascularized, and the remaining patients underwent LSA revascularization (n = 55; 80.8%). Revascularization was achieved by LSA-carotid transposition via a medial approach in 81.8% (n = 45) and a lateral approach in 18.2% (n = 10). The indication for TEVAR was aneurysmal disease in 30.9% (n = 17), dissection in 29% (n = 16; acute, n = 5), traumatic aortic injury in 21.8% (n = 12), pseudoaneurysm in 10.9% (n = 6), aortobronchial fistula in 5.5% (n = 3), and penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer in 1.9% (n = 1). Elective cases accounted for 52.7% (n = 29). Follow-up computed tomography scans were performed at 1 week, 3 and 6 months, and annually thereafter. RESULTS: LSA revascularization was achieved in all the cases. Thirty-day mortality rate was 12.7%. Thirty-day mortality related to LSA revascularization was 0%. No patient suffered a stroke. Vocal cord paralysis was detected in 7.2% of patients (n = 4). Hematoma requiring surgical drainage was observed in 3.6% of patients (n = 2). Lymph leak requiring revision surgery was observed in 1.8% of patients (n = 1). Phrenic nerve palsy was not observed. The local complication rate was significantly higher (P = 0.03) in patients with LSA transposition via a lateral approach (20%; n = 2) when compared to patients with LSA revascularization via a medial approach (11.1%; n = 5). After a mean follow-up of 31.5 months (range, 2-171 months), the patency of the LSA revascularization was maintained in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: During TEVAR, when LSA coverage is required, LSA revascularization is a durable procedure associated with a low morbidity rate. LSA transposition via a medial approach would appear to be associated with significantly fewer complications.

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair: A single center's 15-year experience.

OBJECTIVE: Specific complications of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) exist and long-term data are lacking. The purpose of this study was to evaluate our long-term TEVAR results. METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective study of 223 patients undergoing TEVAR from 1998 to 2013. Indication was aneurysm (45%), traumatic (26%), dissection (23%), and septic (6%). RESULTS: Patients' mean age was 62.7 ± 17.9 years, 84% of them had an American Society of Anesthesiologists score ≥3, and 42% had an aortic rupture. TEVAR was performed in zone 0 (n = 17), 1 (n = 17), or 2 (n = 59) in 42% of patients. Technical success rate was 96.4%. Overall 30-day mortality was 11.7% (elective aneurysm, 11.6%; emergent aneurysm, 34.3%; acute type B dissection, 14.8%; chronic dissection, 4.2%; septic, 8.3%; and traumatic, 1.7%). Major adverse events included stroke in 4.5%, spinal cord ischemia in 1.8%, and retrograde aortic dissection in 2.7%. Mean follow-up was 43.4 ± 38 months. Estimated aortic complications-free survivals at 12, 36, 60, and 120 months were (% ± standard error) 73% ± 3%, 64% ± 4%, 62% ± 4% and 57% ± 5%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that patients treated for a chronic aortic dissection had a significant risk of late reintervention (P = .001) CONCLUSIONS: Because of its simplicity and low morbimortality rate, TEVAR has become the first-line approach for thoracic aortic diseases. Mortality outcomes are related to aortic pathology, emergent status, and proximal landing zone. To improve long-term results, rigorous patient selection and follow-up, development of referral centers, and technologic evolution of materials have to be reached.

Outcomes of cold-stored venous allograft for below-knee bypasses in patients with critical limb ischemia.

OBJECTIVE: Critical limb ischemia (CLI), the most advanced form of peripheral arterial disease, is associated with strikingly high morbidity and mortality rates. Autogenous single-segment great saphenous vein (GSV) remains the optimal conduit for infrainguinal revascularization. Unfortunately, GSV is unavailable in up to 20% of patients. There is no consensus about the alternative graft that should be used for infragenicular bypass grafting when the GSV is unavailable. Currently, there are no outcome data for cold-stored venous allograft use in regard to recent safety and efficacy objective performance goals described by the Society for Vascular Surgery. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of 118 infragenicular revascularizations performed for CLI with cold-stored venous allografts obtained from varicose vein stripping surgery in a single institution from November 2002 to August 2013. RESULTS: Mean age (± standard deviation) was 75 ± 12 years (male, 76%; diabetes, 73%; dialysis, 16%), and 38% (n = 45) had a history of failed ipsilateral revascularization. None had suitable autogenous conduit for even composite vein bypass. The distal anastomosis was performed to an infrapopliteal artery in 85 cases (72%). At 30 days, perioperative death rate was 6.8%, major adverse cardiovascular event rate was 7.6%, and major adverse limb event rate was 11.9%. Mean follow-up was 34 ± 29 months (range, 1-113 months). At 1 year, freedom from major adverse limb event or perioperative death, limb salvage, survival, amputation-free survival, and secondary patency rates were, respectively, 64.9%, 82.5%, 85.4%, 73.3%, and 58.3%. Ejection fraction <45% and dialysis were the most significant factors predicting failure of revascularization. CONCLUSIONS: Cold-stored venous allografts may be used for performing infragenicular revascularization for CLI with acceptable safety and efficacy results despite poor long-term patency. Their level of performance remains inferior to autologous vein sources but seems comparable to alternative allografts or prosthetic conduit. Their availability is a major advantage compared with other biologic alternative sources.

Factors favoring retrograde aortic dissection after endovascular aortic arch repair.

OBJECTIVE: To assess factors predisposing patients to retrograde type A aortic dissection (RTAD) who have undergone hybrid aortic arch repair. METHODS: From 2001 to 2013, 32 patients underwent hybrid aortic arch repair in our department: 19 in zone 1 and 13 in zone 0. Among these patients, 6 experienced RTAD (18.7%): 3 in zone 0 (23%), 3 in zone 1 (15.8%). Preoperative computed tomography scans of these 32 patients were evaluated. A morphologic assessment of the aortic arch, ascending aorta, and aortic root was performed. Other potential risk factors were investigated. Binary logistic regression was performed to test for possible associations with RTAD. RESULTS: Five patients were successfully converted to open repair. Patients who had RTAD were similar to those who did not, across pertinent variables, including age, type of device, diameter of the ascending aorta, and presence of a bicuspid aortic valve (all P > .1). Incidence of RTAD was observed to be higher among women (P = .034), patients with stent-graft oversizing ≥10% (P = .018), and patients treated with a stent-graft of diameter >42 mm (P = .01). Aortic morphology analysis showed that an indexed aortic diameter of ≥20 mm/m(2) (P = .003); aortic root morphology, specifically loss of the sinotubular junction (P = .004); and presence of an aortic arch malformation (P = .03) were correlated with risk of RTAD. Two patients in the zone-0 group with severe angulation (>120°) between the ascending and the transverse aorta suffered RTAD. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of RTAD after hybrid aortic arch repair is common. To prevent this complication, preoperative screening of the aortic arch, ascending aorta, and aortic root morphology is critical.

Urgent endovascular repair for ruptured aortic aneurysm using computed tomography image fusion.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture remains a cardiovascular catastrophe with strikingly high morbidity and mortality rates. Endovascular aneurysm repair management has recently emerged as a valuable treatment modality for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, but better outcomes have to be reached. Image fusion may potentially improve perioperative outcomes in selected patients, guiding navigation and device implantation and limiting contrast dosage during interventions. We report an 83-year-old man presenting with an 80-mm infrarenal aortic aneurysm rupture suitable for endovascular aneurysm repair. Endovascular navigation and stent graft deployment were achieved using computed tomography image fusion for the first reported case in English.

Minimum 10-year follow-up of endovascular repair for acute traumatic transection of the thoracic aorta.

OBJECTIVE: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for traumatic rupture of the descending thoracic aorta seems, in the short term, to be associated with better outcomes than open repair, but long-term data are lacking. METHODS: A review was conducted of a prospectively maintained database of patients who underwent TEVAR for traumatic rupture of the descending thoracic aorta in our unit, with a minimum 10-year follow-up. Follow-up computed tomography scans were performed at 1 week, 3 and 6 months, and annually thereafter. Particular attention was focused on device-related issues. RESULTS: Among the 53 patients, 17 had a minimum 10-year follow-up: mean age was 45.8 ± 17 years (range: 18-78 years); 4 were women. Mean follow-up was 11.6 years (range: 10.1-13.1 years). Technical success was achieved in 100% of cases. The distribution of the proximal landing zone was zone 2 in 4 cases, zone 3 in 13 cases. A case of inadvertent coverage of supra-aortic trunks occurred intraoperatively. An early proximal type I endoleak was successfully treated by proximal implantation of an additional second stent-graft. No perioperative death was observed, and none of the patients suffered transient or permanent paraplegia, or cerebral complication. After a minimum 10-year follow-up, all patients were still alive. Follow-up computed tomography scans did not reveal any stent-graft migration or collapse, or secondary endoleaks. However, we observed that the proximal and distal aortic neck dilated to some extent, as is the natural history of the thoracic aorta. This dilation was more marked in patients aged <30 years. CONCLUSIONS: Our minimum 10-year follow-up study of endovascular repair for acute traumatic transection of the thoracic aorta demonstrated that the reduction in the operative mortality rate of TEVAR, compared with open repair, lasts over time, without any device-related issues. Longer-term follow-up is necessary to determine whether the thoracic aorta expansion continues and becomes clinically significant.

Hemi-aortic arch debranching for hybrid aortic arch repair by sequential transposition of the left common carotid and subclavian arteries.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the short-term and midterm results after hemi-aortic arch debranching for hybrid aortic arch repair by sequential transposition of the left common carotid artery and of the left subclavian artery. METHODS: From November 1998 to August 2011, 11 patients underwent a hybrid technique with supra-aortic debranching (by sequential transposition of the left common carotid artery and of the left subclavian) and simultaneous endovascular stent grafting for zone 1 lesions. There were 8 men and 3 women (mean age, 62.9 ± 20.9 years; range, 15-89 years). Aortic arch lesions treated included 4 complicated aortic dissections, 3 degenerative aneurysms, 2 postcoarctectomy aortic pseudoaneurysms, 1 mycotic aneurysm, and 1 traumatic transection of the arch. Four (36%) operations were performed in an emergency setting. RESULTS: Endovascular exclusion success was achieved in 90.9% of the patients (type I endoleak: 1/11). One iliac artery rupture occurred intraoperatively. The 30-day mortality rate was 0%. Overall actuarial survival was 82% and 71.8% at 1 and 2 years. Mean follow-up is 31 ± 25 months (range, 3-72 months). No instance of permanent cerebral or spinal cord ischemia was observed. Two type II endoleaks are currently observed. There was no device migration. CONCLUSIONS: Hybrid aortic arch repair by sequential transposition of the left common carotid artery and of the left subclavian artery for zone 1 lesions provides an attractive alternative for treating hemi-aortic arch lesions in high-risk patients with minimal atherosclerotic disease in the aorta and great vessels with acceptable primary results and encouraging midterm efficacy to prevent rupture. This hybrid strategy avoiding prosthetic bypass offers several advantages over conventional repair, including the potential to treat patients who are not candidates for open repair and single-stage treatment of some pathologic conditions previously requiring 2-stage repair.