Endotension Following Endovascular Aneurysm Repair: Retrospective Review of Treatment and Clinical Outcome.

Purpose: : Endotension is a rare late complication characterized by an increase in sac size without any type of endoleak following endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). Due to its rarity, few studies have demonstrated the mechanism behind and the management of endotension. In this study, we aimed to better understand the treatment and the long-term outcome of endotension in a single-center cohort. Materials and Methods: : This study was designed for a retrospective review of the patients diagnosed with endotension between January 2006 and December 2017. The study patients were categorized into two groups (primary versus secondary) based on the presence of any type of endoleak before the diagnosis of endotension. We collected data related to endotension treatment, intraoperative findings, and long-term outcomes. Results: : In a cohort of 15 patients diagnosed with endotension following EVAR, eight were classified into the primary endotension (PE) group without prior endoleak, and seven exhibited secondary endotension (SE). Among the eight PE patients, endovascular intervention for a preemptive purpose was conducted in six patients; however, three (50%) showed continuous sac expansion and finally received open conversion. Overall, eight patients (five in PE and three in SE) underwent open conversion, and one (12.5%) presented with an undetected endoleak during the operative findings. Postoperative morbidity was observed in three patients with no operative mortality. Conclusion: : Endotension can be managed initially through simple observation for changes on serial images, along with preemptive endovascular intervention. However, surgical intervention should be considered for patients with specific indications including continuous aneurysm sac enlargement, presence of symptoms, suspicions of migration of stent-graft with endoleak, and infection.

Acute Paraplegia Result from Spinal Ischemia Nine Years After Hybrid Total Arch Repair with Frozen Elephant Trunk: A Case Report.

Spinal cord ischemia due to decreased cord perfusion is a devastating complication in patients with thoracoabdominal dissection following frozen elephant trunk (FET) repair surgery. However, rare occurrence of spinal cord ischemia leading to paraplegia after long-term follow-up of FET repair has been reported. Here, we describe a case of spinal cord ischemia resulting in paraplegia nine years after hybrid total arch repair with FET. Cerebrospinal fluid drainage and serial treatment were utilized to decrease intraspinal pressure and increase blood flow to the spinal cord. Three months after the onset of paraplegia and with treatment and rehabilitation, the patient recovered to walk.

The feasibility of debranching aortic arch and visceral arteries with sutureless telescoping anastomoses during open aortic aneurysm repair.

Background: Open repair of aortic aneurysms frequently requires reimplantation of major aortic vessels. Traditional techniques can be time consuming, require meticulous hemostasis, and risk aneurysmal patch degeneration, which can require a challenging reoperation. We describe our experience using a stent graft to create a sutureless anastomosis that obviates these drawbacks. Methods: Between April 2018 and March 2021, all consecutive adult patients who underwent open repair of the aorta with at least one supra-aortic trunk or visceral vessel reimplanted using the sutureless anastomotic technique were included. Anastomoses were constructed by bridging a branch graft and the target artery with a Viabahn self-expanding stent (W.L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ). Clinical information and perioperative outcomes for the patients were collected and analyzed. Results: Among 26 patients, 50 individual aortic vessels were debranched using sutureless self-expanding stent anastomoses, including 42 visceral vessels and 8 supra-aortic trunk vessels. Technical success was 100%. The median time to complete the anastomosis was 3 minutes, 12 seconds (range, 2-6 minutes). Perioperative mortality was 15% (n = 4). No stent-related complications, such as occlusion, bleeding, stroke, renal failure requiring hemodialysis, bowel ischemia, or the need for anastomotic reintervention, occurred. Follow-up imaging at 1 year revealed a 100% patency rate and no anastomotic stenosis, misalignment, or kinking. Conclusions: The sutureless anastomosis technique to debranch the aorta during open aortic aneurysm repair is technically feasible and reliably hemostatic and does not require early reintervention. The operative outcomes have been acceptable, and the short-term follow-up imaging findings demonstrated excellent patency without anastomotic kinking. In select cases, sutureless anastomoses are a possible alternative to traditional sutured anastomoses during aortic debranching. Further research is needed to compare the operative times and long-term patency of sutureless anastomosis to those of traditional sutured techniques.

How to select the optimal size of frozen elephant trunk in total arch replacement for type A acute aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND: Total arch replacement (TAR) with a frozen elephant trunk (FET) is a common technique for acute aortic dissection, but there is no consensus on the optimal size of the FET. METHODS: Forty-four patients who underwent TAR with FET for acute aortic dissection at our hospital since 2014 were included. The aortic diameter obtained from FET was measured on postoperative computed tomography (CT) and the estimated oversizing ratio was calculated. We investigated the relationship between the estimated oversizing ratio and postoperative outcomes. We also measured the maximum true lumen diameter, circumference of the true lumen, and total aortic diameter at the same level as the FET end on preoperative CT and examined the correlation with the aortic diameter obtained from FET. RESULTS: The average estimated oversizing ratio was 109%. Early postoperative CT showed complete thrombosis of the false lumen in 41 (93.2%) patients. No distal stent graft-induced new entry occurred during follow-up. The correlation coefficients between the three measurements and aortic diameter obtained from FET were 0.64 (maximum true lumen diameter), 0.76 (true lumen diameter calculated from circumference), and 0.72 (total aortic diameter), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The aortic diameter obtained from FET on postoperative CT was strongly correlated with the true lumen diameter calculated from the circumference and total aortic diameter on preoperative CT. It is reasonable to select a size of approximately 130% of the true lumen diameter calculated from the circumference or 80% to 85% of the total aortic diameter.

Editor's Choice - Comparison of Outcomes for Major Contemporary Endograft Devices Used for Endovascular Repair of Intact Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: To compare rates of mortality, rupture, and secondary intervention following endovascular repair (EVAR) of intact abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) using contemporary endograft devices from three major manufacturers. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study using linked clinical registry (Australasian Vascular Audit) and all payer administrative data. Patients undergoing EVAR for intact AAA between 2010 and 2019 in New South Wales, Australia were identified. Rates of all cause death, secondary rupture, and secondary intervention (subsequent aneurysm repair; other secondary aortic intervention) were compared for patients treated with Cook, Medtronic, and Gore standard devices. Inverse probability of treatment weighted proportional hazards and competing risk regression were used to adjust for patient, clinical, and aneurysm characteristics, using Cook as the referent device. RESULTS: This study identified 2 874 eligible EVAR patients, with a median follow up of 4.1 (maximum 9.5) years. Mortality rates were similar for patients receiving different devices (ranging between 7.0 and 7.3 per 100 person years). There was no statistically significant difference between devices in secondary rupture rates, which ranged between 0.4 and 0.5 per 100 person years. Patients receiving Medtronic and Gore devices tended to have higher crude rates of subsequent aneurysm repair (1.5 per 100 person years) than patients receiving Cook devices (0.8 per 100 person years). This finding remained in the adjusted analysis, but was only statistically significant for Medtronic devices (HR 1.57, 95% CI 1.02 - 2.47; HR 1.73, 95% CI 0.94 - 3.18, respectively). CONCLUSION: Major endograft devices have similar overall long term safety profiles. However, there may be differences in rates of secondary intervention for some devices. This may reflect endograft durability, or patient selection for different devices based on aneurysm anatomy. Continuous comparative assessments are needed to guide evidence for treatment decisions across the range of available devices.

Partial and complete explantation of aortic endografts in the modern era.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the progressive advancement of devices for endovascular aortic repair (EVAR), endografts continue to fail, requiring explant. We present a single-institutional experience of EVAR explants, characterizing modern failure modes, presentation, and outcomes for partial and complete EVAR explantation. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of all EVARs explanted at an urban quaternary center from 2001 to 2020, with one infected endograft excluded. Patient and graft characteristics, indications, and perioperative and long-term outcomes were analyzed. Partial versus complete explants were performed per surgeon discretion without a predefined protocol. This process was informed by patient risk factors; asymptomatic, symptomatic, or ruptured aneurysm presentation; and anatomical or intraoperative factors, including endoleak type. RESULTS: From 2001 to 2020, 52 explants met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. More than one-half (57.7%) were explants of EVAR devices placed at outside institutions, designated nonindex explants. Most patients were male (86.5%), the median age was 74 years (interquartile range, 70-78 years). More than one-half (61.5%) were performed in the second decade of the study period. The most commonly explanted grafts were Gore Excluder (n = 9 grafts), Cook Zenith (n = 8), Endologix AFX (n = 7), Medtronic Endurant (n = 5), and Medtronic Talent (n = 5). Most grafts (78.8%) were explanted for neck degeneration or sac expansion. Five were explanted for initial seal failure, five for symptomatic expansion, and seven for rupture. The median implant duration was 4.2 years, although ranging widely (interquartile range, 2.6-5.1 years), but similar between index and nonindex explants (4.2 years vs 4.1 years). Partial explantation was performed in 61.5%, with implant duration slightly lower, 3.2 years versus 4.4 years for complete explants. Partial explantation was more frequent in index explants (68.2% vs 56.7%). The median length of stay was 8 days. The median intensive care unit length of stay was 3 days, without significant differences in nonindex explants (4 days vs 3 days) and partial explants (4 days vs 3 days). Thirty-day mortality occurred in two nonindex explants (one partial and one complete explant). Thirty-day readmission was similar between partial and complete explants (9.7% vs 5.0%), without accounting for nonindex readmissions. Long-term survival was comparable between partial and complete explants in Cox regression (hazard ratio, 2.45; 95% confidence interval, 0.79-7.56; P = .12). CONCLUSIONS: Explants of EVAR devices have increased over time at our institution. Partial explant was performed in more than one-half of cases, per operating surgeon discretion, demonstrating higher blood loss, more frequent acute kidney injury, and longer intensive care unit stays, however with comparable short-term mortality and long-term survival.

Acute Paraplegia Result from Spinal Ischemia Nine Years After Hybrid Total Arch Repair with Frozen Elephant Trunk: A Case Report

ABSTRACT Spinal cord ischemia due to decreased cord perfusion is a devastating complication in patients with thoracoabdominal dissection following frozen elephant trunk (FET) repair surgery. However, rare occurrence of spinal cord ischemia leading to paraplegia after long-term follow-up of FET repair has been reported. Here, we describe a case of spinal cord ischemia resulting in paraplegia nine years after hybrid total arch repair with FET. Cerebrospinal fluid drainage and serial treatment were utilized to decrease intraspinal pressure and increase blood flow to the spinal cord. Three months after the onset of paraplegia and with treatment and rehabilitation, the patient recovered to walk.

Non-prompt surgery for patients with acute type A aortic dissection without pre-operative shock and malperfusion.

Background: Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) requires urgent surgical treatment. However, during daily practice, there were some patients with ATAAD sought for medical attention several days after symptoms occurred and some other patients hesitated to receive aortic surgery after the diagnosis of ATAAD was made. This study aims to investigate the surgical outcomes of non-prompt aortic surgery (delayed diagnosis caused by the patient or delayed surgery despite immediate diagnosis) for ATAAD patients. Methods: From November 2004 to June 2020, of more than 200 patients with ATAAD patients who underwent aortic surgery at our hospital, there were 30 patients without pre-operative shock and malperfusion who sought for medical attention with symptoms for several days or delayed aortic surgery several days later despite ATAAD was diagnosed. Of the 30 patients (median age 60.9, range 33.4~82.5 years) in the study group, there were 18 patients undergoing surgery when they arrived at our hospital (delayed diagnosis by the patient) and 12 patients receiving surgery days later (delayed surgery despite immediate diagnosis). Patients with prompt surgery after symptom onset (control group) were matched from our database by propensity score matching. The surgical mortality rate and post-operative morbidities were compared between the study group and control group. Results: The in-hospital mortality was 3.3% for the study group and 6.7% for the control group (p = non-significant). The incidence of post-operative cerebral permanent neurological defect was 0% for the study group and 13.3% for the control group (p = 0.112). There were three patients receiving aortic re-intervention or re-do aortic surgery during follow-up for the study group and two patients for the control group. Conclusion: Prompt surgery for ATAAD is usually a good choice if everything is well prepared. Besides, urgent but non-prompt aortic surgery could also provide acceptable surgical results for ATAAD patients without pre-operative shock and malperfusion who did not seek medical attention or who could not make their minds to undergo surgery immediately after symptom onset. Hospitalization with intensive care is very important for pre-operative preparation and monitoring for the patients who decline prompt aortic surgery.

CT angiography for the assessment of EVAR complications: a pictorial review.

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a minimally invasive treatment proposed as an alternative to open repair in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms. EVAR consists in a stent-graft placement within the aorta in order to exclude the aneurysm from arterial circulation and reduce the risk of rupture. Knowledge of the various types of devices is mandatory because some stents/grafts are more frequently associated with complications. CT angiography is the gold standard diagnostic technique for preprocedural planning and postprocedural surveillance. EVAR needs long-term follow-up due to the high rate of complications. Complications can be divided in endograft device-related and systemic complications. The purpose of this article is to review the CT imaging findings of EVAR complications and the key features for the diagnosis.

Pre-clinical In Vitro Models of Vascular Graft Coating in the Prevention of Vascular Graft Infection: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: Vascular graft infection (VGI) is a feared complication. Prevention is of the utmost importance and vascular graft coatings (VGCs) could offer a potential to do this, with in vitro research a first crucial step. The aim of this study was to summarise key features of in vitro models investigating coating strategies to prevent VGI in order to provide guidance for the setup of future translational research. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive search was performed in MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. For each database, a specific search strategy was developed. Quality was assessed with the Toxicological data Reliability Assessment Tool (ToxRTool). In vitro models using a VGC and inoculation of the graft with a pathogen were included. The type of graft, coating, and pathogen were summarised. The outcome assessment in each study was evaluated. RESULTS: In total, 4 667 studies were identified, of which 45 papers met the inclusion criteria. The majority used polyester grafts (68.2%). Thirty-one studies (68.9%) included antibiotics, and nine studies (20%) used a commercial silver graft in their protocol. New antibacterial strategies (e.g., proteolytic enzymes) were investigated. A variety of testing methods was found and focused mainly on bacterial adherence, coating adherence and dilution, biofilm formation, and cytotoxicity. Ninety-three per cent of the studies (n = 41) were considered unreliable. CONCLUSION: Polyester is the preferred type of graft to coat on. The majority of coating studies are based on antibiotics; however, new coating strategies (e.g., antibiofilm coating) are coming. Many in vitro setups are available. In vitro studies have great potential, they can limit the use, but cannot replace in vivo studies completely. This paper can be used as a guidance document for future in vitro research.

Frozen elephant trunk usage in acute aortic dissection.

This review discusses the clinical applications of the frozen elephant trunk procedure for patients with acute aortic dissection. Sub-analysis of the multicenter Japanese Frozenix study, J-ORCHESTRA, are presented, and recent reports of frozen elephant trunk usage for acute aortic dissection are discussed.

[Visceral debranching in hybrid surgery of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms]. / Vistseral'nyi debranching v gibridnoi khirurgii torakoabdominal'nykh anevrizm aorty.

Presented herein is a review of the literature dedicated to the method of visceral debranching, i. e., switching of the visceral and renal branches of the abdominal aorta to its intact portion, using synthetic vascular prostheses as the first stage of hybrid surgical treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms prior to endovascular aortic aneurysm repair. This is accompanied and followed by describing the history of the problem, operative technique, results of studies, as well as the data from registries and meta-analyses. Also discussed are the main complications of the method and measures of their prevention. We conclude that hybrid surgery of the thoracoabdominal portion of the aorta is a promising method in a particular cohort of patients, especially those at high surgical risk of 'open' aortic surgery.

Risk Factors, Dynamics, and Clinical Consequences of Aortic Neck Dilatation after Standard Endovascular Aneurysm Repair.

OBJECTIVE: Aortic neck dilatation (AND) occurs after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) with self expanding stent grafts (SESs). Whether it continues, ultimately exceeding the endograft diameter leading to abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture, remains uncertain. Dynamics, risk factors, and clinical relevance of AND were investigated after EVAR with standard SESs. METHODS: All intact EVAR patients treated from 2000 to 2015 at a tertiary institution were included. Demographic, anatomical, and device related characteristics were investigated as risk factors for AND. Outer to outer diameters were measured at a single standardised aortic level on reconstructed computed tomography (CT) images. RESULTS: A total of 460 patients were included (median follow up 5.2 years, interquartile range [IQR] 3.0, 7.7 years; CT imaging follow up 3.3 years, IQR 1.3, 5.4). Baseline neck diameter was 24 mm (IQR 22, 26) and increased 11.1% (IQR 1.5%, 21.9%) at last CT imaging. Endograft oversizing was 20.0% (IQR 13.6, 28.0). AND was greater during the first year (5.2% [IQR 0, 11.7]) decreasing subsequently (two to four years to 1.4%/year [IQR 0.0, 4.5%], p ≤ .001) and was associated with suprarenal fixation endografts (t value = 7.9, p < .001) and oversizing (t value = 4.4, p < .001). AND exceeding the endograft was 3.5% (95% CI 2.2% - 4.8%) and 14.4% (95% CI 11.0% - 17.8%) at five and eight years, respectively. Excessive AND was associated with baseline neck diameter (OR 1.2/mm, 95% CI 1.05 - 1.41) while the Excluder endograft had a protective effect (OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.04 - 0.58). Excessive AND was associated with type 1A endoleak (HR 3.3, 95% CI 1.1 - 9.7) and endograft migration > 5 mm (HR 3.1, 95% CI 1.4 - 6.9). CONCLUSION: AND after EVAR with SES is associated with endograft oversizing and radial force but decelerates after the first post-operative year. Baseline aortic neck diameter and suprarenal stent bearing endografts were associated with an increased risk of AND beyond nominal stent graft diameter. However, it remains unclear whether patient selection, differences in endograft radial force or the suprarenal stent are accountable for this difference.

Pre-clinical in vivo Models of Vascular Graft Coating in the Prevention of Vascular Graft Infection: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: Vascular graft infection (VGI) remains an important complication with a high mortality and morbidity rate. Currently, studies focusing on the role of vascular graft coatings in the prevention of VGI are scarce. Therefore, the aims of this study were to survey and summarise key features of pre-clinical in vivo models that have been used to investigate coating strategies to prevent VGI and to set up an ideal model that can be used in future preclinical research. DATA SOURCES: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred reporting items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. A comprehensive search was performed in MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, and Web of Science. REVIEW METHODS: For each database, a specific search strategy was developed. Quality was assessed with the Toxicological data Reliability Assessment Tool (ToxRTool). The type of animal model, graft, coating, and pathogen were summarised. The outcome assessment in each study was evaluated. RESULTS: In total, 4 667 studies were identified, of which 94 papers focusing on in vivo testing were included. Staphylococcus aureus was the organism most used (n = 65; 67.7%). Most of the graft types were polyester grafts. Rifampicin was the most frequently used antibiotic coating (n = 43, 48.3%). In the outcome assessment, most studies mentioned colony forming unit count (n = 88; 91.7%) and clinical outcome (n = 72; 75%). According to the ToxRTool, 21 (22.3%, n = 21/94) studies were considered to be not reliable. CONCLUSION: Currently published in vivo models are very miscellaneous. More attention should be paid to the methodology of these pre-clinical reports when transferring novel graft coatings into clinical practice. Variables used in pre-clinical reports (bacterial strain, duration of activity coating) do not correspond well to current clinical studies. Based on the results of this review, a proposal for a complete and comprehensive set up for pre-clinical invivo testing of anti-infectious properties of vascular graft coatings was defined.

Direct and virtual measurements of abdominal aortic aneurysms: three-dimensional printed models.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the use of a three-dimensional printing system for metric and volumetric analysis of the segments of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In patients scheduled to undergo endovascular AAA repair, the computed tomography angiography (CTA) measurements obtained during the preoperative assessment of the patients were compared with those obtained by computed tomography of individualized three-dimensional biomodels. RESULTS: The volumetric assessment showed a discrepancy of 3-12%, and the difference between the areas was 10-16%. CONCLUSION: Computed tomography measurements of 3D-printed biomodels of AAAs appear to be comparable to those of threedimensional CTA measurements of the same AAAs, in terms of the metric and volumetric dimensions.

OBJETIVO: Validar a aplicação do método de impressão tridimensional de biomodelos para aferição métrica e volumétrica de segmentos de aneurisma de aorta abdominal. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Compararam-se as medidas obtidas por tomografia computadorizada dos biomodelos tridimensionais com as realizadas no planejamento pré-operatório de pacientes submetidos a correção endovascular de aneurisma de aorta abdominal. RESULTADOS: A avaliação da volumetria demonstrou discrepância de 3% a 12% e a diferença entre as áreas foi de 10% a 16%. CONCLUSÃO: A tomografia computadorizada dos biomodelos impressos é compatível nas aferições métricas e volumétricas com as imagens tridimensionais da angiotomografia do paciente.

Direct and virtual measurements of abdominal aortic aneurysms: three-dimensional printed models / Medidas de aneurisma da aorta abdominal: modelos tridimensionais impressos e virtuais

Abstract Objective: To validate the use of a three-dimensional printing system for metric and volumetric analysis of the segments of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Materials and Methods: In patients scheduled to undergo endovascular AAA repair, the computed tomography angiography (CTA) measurements obtained during the preoperative assessment of the patients were compared with those obtained by computed tomography of individualized three-dimensional biomodels. Results: The volumetric assessment showed a discrepancy of 3-12%, and the difference between the areas was 10-16%. Conclusion: Computed tomography measurements of 3D-printed biomodels of AAAs appear to be comparable to those of threedimensional CTA measurements of the same AAAs, in terms of the metric and volumetric dimensions.

Resumo Objetivo: Validar a aplicação do método de impressão tridimensional de biomodelos para aferição métrica e volumétrica de segmentos de aneurisma de aorta abdominal. Materiais e Métodos: Compararam-se as medidas obtidas por tomografia computadorizada dos biomodelos tridimensionais com as realizadas no planejamento pré-operatório de pacientes submetidos a correção endovascular de aneurisma de aorta abdominal. Resultados: A avaliação da volumetria demonstrou discrepância de 3% a 12% e a diferença entre as áreas foi de 10% a 16%. Conclusão: A tomografia computadorizada dos biomodelos impressos é compatível nas aferições métricas e volumétricas com as imagens tridimensionais da angiotomografia do paciente.

Right size matters! The ideal size of hybrid prosthesis in frozen elephant trunk.

There is abundant of literature emerging to support the use of the frozen elephant trunk prosthesis, but there is still a lack of clear consensus on the sizing of the hybrid prosthesis. There is a general consensus that the stent should not be oversized in acute aortic dissection and chronic aortic dissection. Some surgeons consider that only the true lumen has to be measured while others argue that the entire diameter of the aorta has to be measured, and a few measure the aorta intraoperatively. In regards to thoracic aortic aneurysm, most surgeons oversize the stent-graft by 10% to 20%. A small device may not provide adequate sealing, whereas a larger device may cause new entry points distally. Hence, an appropriate device has to be selected for the optimal outcome.

Alternatives to the frozen elephant trunk in acute type A aortic dissection.

Acute type A aortic dissection remains one of the most challenging condition in cardiothoracic surgery, with a high mortality rate. Various improvements and innovations have happened over the years to better the outcome of this lethal condition. The frozen elephant trunk prosthesis has been developed to negate the long-term complications of acute type A aortic dissection, but at the cost of increased morbidity compared to hemiarch replacement. Although hemiarch and total arch replacement seem have less morbidity than the frozen elephant trunk technique, they do not address the long-term complications of the distal dissected aorta. Few surgeons now suggest hybrid aortic arch repair as a solution for acute type A aortic dissection. The long-term results need to be studied in all procedures before standardizing them. Although multiple strategies are evolving, the short-term goal of acute type A aortic dissection has not changed: to save the patient's life. The surgical strategy has to be tailored according to the patient's condition and the surgeon's experience.

Endo-Bentall for proximal aortic dissection: from conception to application.

The endovascular treatment of pathologies of the ascending aorta has not been incorporated into routine clinical practice. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the endovascular treatment of pathologies of the ascending aorta, particularly type A aortic dissection. A thorough analysis and discussion of anatomical, physiological, clinical and technical challenges, and obstacles is performed. Conventional straight stent-grafts alone are not capable of fixing the entire complex underlying problem in the vast majority of patients with acute type A aortic dissection. An endovascular valve-carrying conduit consisting of a proximal transcatheter aortic valve connected to a covered stent-graft would be able to close a primary entry tear in the ascending aorta, ensure coronary perfusion, initiate true lumen expansion, treat malperfusion, treat aortic regurgitation, drain any pericardial effusion through a transapical approach, and possibly stabilize the distal aorta. Two thirds of all patients with acute aortic dissection are potential candidates for endovascular treatment, and the concept may help to significantly improve survival in patients with acute aortic dissection.

Goal-directed cerebral perfusion in aortic arch surgery: scientific leap or hype?

Although significant advancements in cerebral protection strategies in aortic surgery have been achieved in recent years, controversy remains on what constitutes the optimal strategy. Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest alone is a viable approach in many instances, but the need for a prolonged duration of circulatory arrest and increasing case complexity have led to the utilization of adjunctive cerebral perfusion strategies. In this review, we discuss the efficacy of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and its limitations, the role of retrograde cerebral perfusion and unilateral and bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion, and the trend towards goal-directed perfusion strategies, all emphasizing the pressing need for randomized clinical trials to better define the optimal strategy.