Objective To analyze the reasons for the perioperative death of endovascular repair of acute aortic dissection （AD）. Methods The clinical data of 176 patients with acute AD and received endovascular repair from July 2001 to October 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. Results Among 176 patients with acute AD， 8 patients died during perioperatively， received endovascular repair in 1-5 days after admission （mean 2.4 d）， and all of them admitted before 2008. Two cases were type A and 6 cases were type B. All cases with hypertension and 3 cases with pleural effusion. Three cases died on the day of operation， among them 2 cases occurred in 1 h after operation， the other 1 case occurred in 2 h after operation. Four cases died in 2 days after operation and 1 case died in 4 days after operation. Four cases died of rupture of the aortic dissection， 2 cases died of cerebral infarction， 1 case died of multiple organ failure， and 1 case died of gastrointestinal bleeding. Conclusion To avoid performing endovascular repair during the acute phase and improving operation skills may help to avoid the occurrence of perioperative death.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical effect of in situ fenestration combined with chimney technique in the treatment of aortic dissection involving left common carotid artery.MethodsFrom January 2012 to June 2019, 53 patients with aortic dissection involving left common carotid artery were selected. There were 21 patients in the test group, including 14 males and 7 females, with an average age of 57.2±11.2 years; there were 32 patients in the control group, including 20 males and 12 females, with an average age of 56.7±12.1 years. In the test group, the left subclavian branch was reconstructed by in situ fenestration and the left common carotid artery was reconstructed by chimney technique. In the control group, the left common carotid artery was reconstructed by hybrid operation. The clinical data of the patients were compared.ResultsThe operation time of the test group was significantly longer than that of the control group (151.8±35.2 min vs. 101.3±29.6 min, P=0.00). The patients in the two groups were followed up for 6-20 months. There was no significant difference in the incidence of pulmonary infection, stroke, steal blood syndrome, false lumen thrombosis or internal leakage between the two groups (P>0.05). The diameters of the distal and proximal ends of the true cavity in the test group increased significantly compared with those in the control group (P<0.05).ConclusionIn situ fenestration combined with chimney technique is an effective method for the treatment of aortic dissection involving left common carotid artery, which is worthy of further clinical promotion.
ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) with antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) on cognitive function of patients undergoing surgical therapy for acute Stanford type A aortic dissection (AD). MethodsBetween January 2009 and March 2012, 48 patients with acute Stanford type A AD underwent Sun's procedure (aortic arch replacement combined with stented elephant trunk implantation) under DHCA with ACP in Nanjing Hospital affiliated to Nanjing Medical University. There were 40 males and 8 females with their age of 51.3±13.6 years. Circulatory arrest time and time for postoperative consciousness recovery were recorded. Preoperative and postoperative cognitive functions of each patient were evaluated by mini-mental status examination (MMSE). ResultsMean cardiopulmonary bypass time of the 48 patients was 237.3±58.5 minutes, and mean circulatory arrest time was 37.3 ±6.9 minutes. Four patients died postoperatively with the causes of death including lung infection, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, myocardial infarction and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Forty-one patients recovered their consciousness within 24 hours postoperatively, and the mean time for postoperative consciousness recovery was 15.3±6.5 hours. Preoperative MMSE score was 28.6±1.1 points, and MMSE score at 1 week postoperatively was 23.6±4.5 points. Thirty-one patients were followed up for 6 months with the follow-up rate of 70.45%. The average MMSE score of the 31 patients at 6 months after surgery was 27.6±2.1 points which was significantly higher than postoperative average MMSE score (P < 0.05), but not statistically different from preoperative average MMSE score (P > 0.05). ConclusionsDHCA with ACP can provide satisfactory cerebral protection for patients undergoing surgical therapy for acute Stanford type A AD, but patients' cognitive function may be adversely affected in the short term. As long as cerebral infarction or hemorrhage is excluded in CT scan of the brain, such adverse impact may generally disappear automatically within 6 months after surgery.
Objective To summarize the experience of surgical treatment for 84 patients with aortic dissection, investigate the surgical technique and perioperative treatment, and to improve surgical results. Methods The operations were performed in 50 patients with aortic dissection of Stanford A， Bentall or Cabrol operations were performed in 24 patients, graft replacement of ascending aorta in 8 patients, Trusler operation in 5 patients, Wheat operation in 5patients, operation of ascending aorta and aortic arch in 8 patients.Stentgraft were used in 34 patients with aortic dissection of Stanford B. Results There were 11 hospital death,the hospital mortality was 13.1%.There were 3 operative deaths.One patient with ascending aortic and hemiarch grafting died of aortic root bleeding;one patient with replacement of ascending aorta died of failure to restart heart beating；one patient with ascending aortic and hemiarch grafting died of rapture of aortic dissection. There were 8 postoperative deaths, including low cardiac output syndrome in 2 patients, lung infection in 2 patients, renal failure in 2 patients， respiratory failure in 1 patient and permanent mental anomaly in 1 patient. The complications were occurred in 16 patients. The followup period was 3 months to 10 years, and carried out in 62 patients（84.9%，62/73).One died of endocarditis, another one died of sudden death. Conclusion The surgicaltreatment of aortic dissection could be carried out safely based on the accurate diagnosis， specific surgical strategy and fine surgical technique.
ObjectiveTo describe the outcomes of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for patients after aortic surgery and to summarize the experience. Methods The clinical data of patients who received ECMO support after aortic surgery in Fuwai Hospital from 2009 to 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients who received an aortic dissection surgery were allocated into a dissection group, and the other patients were allocated into a non-dissection group. The in-hospital and follow-up survival rates were compared between the two groups, and the causes of death were analyzed. ResultsA total of 22 patients were enrolled, including 17 patients in the dissection group [13 males and 4 females, with a median age of 54 (46, 61) years] and 5 patients in the non-dissection group [3 males and 2 females, with a median age of 51 (41, 65) years]. There was no statistical difference in the age and gender between the two groups (P>0.05). The in-hospital survival rate (11.8% vs. 100.0%, P=0.001) and follow-up survival rate (11.8% vs. 80.0%, P=0.009) of the patients in the dissection group were significantly lower than those in the non-dissection group. The causes of death in the dissection group included massive bleeding and disseminated intravascular coagulation (3 patients), ventricular thrombosis (1 patient), irreversible brain injury (2 patients), visceral malperfusion syndrome (4 patients) and irreversible heart failure (5 patients). ConclusionECMO after aortic dissection surgery is associated with high mortality, which is related to the pathological features of aortic dissection and severely disrupted coagulation system after the surgery. For these patients, strict indication selection and optimal management strategy are important.
Objective To evaluate the value of 16slice spiral computed tomography (SCT) and its threedimensional reconstruction in diagnosis of aortic dissection (AD). Methods Fortyfive cases with AD underwent 16slice SCT, performed with unenhanced, contrastenhanced scanning and threedimensional reconstructions. Emphasis was placed on the true and false lumen, intimal flap, the entry and reentry tear and the involvement of branches of AD. Eleven cases were confimed by operation. Results True and false lumen and intimal flap of AD could be shown in all 45 cases (100%), the entry and reentry tears were revealed in 44 cases (97.8%) and 33 cases (73.3%), respectively. The right common iliac arteries were most easily involved by AD, 21 cases (46.7%). The thrombi in false lumen were shown in 29 cases (64.4%). Compared with surgery, the location and size of initial entry sites of 11 cases were consistent with the former. Conclusion 16slice SCT can exactly and completely diagnose AD, and provide detailed imaging information for clinical therapy. It’s very important for the selection of treatment methods and the observation of curative effect of patients.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the initial results of hybrid procedure without sternotomy for aortic arch dissection, and also report our initial experience in performing this procedure. MethodsFrom January 2011 to September 2014, 17 patients diagnosed with aortic arch dissection by CT angiography undergoing the hybrid procedure (thoracic endovascular aortic repair combined with supra-arch branch vessel bypass) in the department of Thoracic Cardiovascular Surgery, Wuhan General Hospital of Guangzhou Command. There were 12 males and 5 females aged from 46 to 71 years. Their clinical data, including the imaging findings, treatment, and prognosis were retrospectively analyzed. ResultsLeft common carotid artery (LCCA) to left subclavian artery (LSA) bypass (n=4), right common carotid artery (RCCA) to LCCA to LSA bypass (n=3), RCCA to LCCA bypass merger covered LSA (n=3) were performed. All operations were successful. Laryngeal recurrent nerve injury occurred in one patient. All patients were followed up on the postoperative day 7, 30 and one year. All patients were followed up for 12 to 53 months till September 2015. There was no death, and no complications such as endoleak after the hybrid procedure, stenosis or blockage of the bypass graft during the follow-up period. ConclusionInitial results suggest that the hybrid procedure without sternotomy is a suitable therapeutic option for high risk aortic arch dissection patients in poor general condition with little tolerance to aortic arch replacement．
ObjectiveTo explore clinical features and surgical strategies for patients with aortic dissection (AD) manifesting as pure aortic regurgitation (AR), avoid preoperative misdiagnosis, and provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment. MethodsClinical data of 5 AD patients who were preoperatively diagnosed as pure AR in Beijing Fu Wai Hospital from January 2005 to May 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 4 male and 1 female patients with their median age of 41 (34-53) years. All the 5 patients were diagnosed as AD during the operation. One patient received aortic valvuloplasty, 1 patient received Wheat procedure, and 3 patients received Bentall procedure. Clinical manifestations, accessory examinations, intraoperative findings, surgical strategies and follow-up results were summarized. ResultsNo postoperative death or complication occurred in this study. Echocardiogram of patient 1 before discharge showed that transverse diameters of the ascending aorta and aortic sinus decreased with satisfactory closure of aortic valves but no AR. Echocardiogram and CT all showed normal function in mechanical valves and patent blood vessel prosthesis in the other 4 patients. All the 5 patients were followed up for 4 (1-5) years and were alive during follow-up. Echocardiogram showed normal function in mechanical valves and patent blood vessel prosthesis without paravalvular leak in 4 patients and mild AR in 1 patient. ConclusionAD manifesting as pure AR is rare and easily misdiagnosed preoperatively. Careful analysis of medical history and accessory examinations can reduce the risk of misdiagnosis. Appropriate surgical strategies should be chosen according to intraoperative findings of intimal tears and aortic sinus damage of AD.
Objective To investigate the security and efficiency of endovascular repair for Stanford type B aortic dissection (AD) with severe complications. Methods Between January 2003 and December 2009, 60 patients having Stanford type B AD with severe compl ications were treated, including 39 males and 21 females with an average age of 43.7 years (range, 34-71 years). Severe compl ications included 27 cases of huge hemothorax, 1 case of paraplegia, 7 cases of acute renal failure,10 cases of cel iac trunk ischemia, 10 cases of superior mesenteric artery ischemia, and 5 cases of severe limb schemia. Emergency stent-graft deployment were appl ied in all patients, and 64 stent-grafts were successfully implanted. Results All patients survived and were followed up 3-86 months. Hemothorax disappeared after 28 days to 3 months of operation in all hemothorax patients; renal function returned normal after 1 to 9 days; l imb and visceral ischemia disappeared gradually after 1 to 14 days; and muscular strength of lower limb in the paraplegia patient began to recover after 4 hours of operation. The postoperative CT angiography showed enlarged true lumen and thrombosis in the false lumen. Conclusion Emergency endovascular repair is a safe and effective method to treat Stanford type B AD with severe complications.
Objective To investigate the surgical approach and efficacy of reconstruction of the isolated left vertebral artery (ILVA) in single upper hemisternotomy for total aortic arch replacement. Methods From March 2017 to October 2023, patients who underwent total aortic arch replacement under single upper hemisternotomy in General Hospital of Northern Theater Command were selected. According to the presence of ILVA, they were divided into a conventional group and an ILVA group. All the ILVA group underwent intraoperative ILVA reconstruction. The perioperative clinical data between two groups were compared. Results A total of 504 patients were collected, including 471 males and 31 females, with an average age of 50.4±11.4 years. There was no increase in the duration of cardiopulmonary bypass or postoperative hospitalization in the ILVA group (n=31) compared to the conventional group (n=473), and the rates of perioperative complications and in-hospital mortality were not significantly different between the two groups. There were 2 (6.45%) patients of acute cerebral infarction and 2 (6.45%) patients of perioperative death in the ILVA group, with no spinal cord injuries. Conclusion ILVA reconstruction during total aortic arch replacement in single upper hemisternotomy is feasible, safe, and effective, and prioritizing off pump ILVA-left common carotid artery transposition.