Objective To investigate the further results of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair， and analyze the midterm results of 63 cases treated by total thoraco abdominal aortic replacement with a tetrafurcate graft. Methods From August 2003 to October 2007，total thoracoabdominal aortic replacement with a tetrafurcate graft was performed in 63 consecutive patients with Crawford Ⅱ TAAA in Fu Wai Hospital. There were 46 male and 17 female with a mean age of 39.98 years (17-71 years). All the procedures were performed through combined thoracoabdominal incision via the retroperitoneal approach and underwent profound hypothermia with shorttime interval circulatory arrest. T6 to T12 intercostal arteries were reconstructed by arterial tube technique. The celiac artery， superior mesenteric artery and right renal artery were joined into a patch and anastomosed to the end of the main graft. Left renal artery was anastomosed to an 8 mm branch or joined to the visceral arterial patch. The other 10 mm branches were anastomosed to iliac arteries. KaplanMeier method was used to perform survival analysis. Results All the cases were followed，and the mean followup time was 36.57(8-57) months. No patient died during the operation. Early mortality rate was 7.94%（5/63）. Among them， 4 patients died of multiple organ failure. Two of them were caused by neurological complications, and the other 2 of them were caused by renal failure. One patient died of low cardiac output syndrome after surgery because of coronary artery disease. This patient underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) emergently, but couldn’t wean from cardiopulmonary bypass. The incidence of stroke and temporary neurological dysfunction was 9.52%（6/63）, 4 of them were temporary neurological dysfunction and were cured before discharged from hospital. Paraplegia and paraparesis occurred in 2 and 1, respectively. They were all [CM(158.3mm]cured before leaving hospital. Pulmonary complication was 25.40%(16/63)， and12 of them were cured. Pseudoaneurysmal change was observed in reconstructed intercostal arteries in 2 patients with Marfan syndrome, but neither of them underwent paraplegia or paraparesis. One patient died at 20th, 23rd, 30th month after discharge, respectively. The survival time of this group was 50.64±2.13 months（95%CI：46.47,54.84 months） with a survival rate of 92.06% after 1 year， 88.38% after 2 years， 86.11% after 3 years. Conclusion Using tetrafurcate graft is a reliable method in total thoracoabdominal aortic replacement and has a satisfactory midterm survival rate. The intercostal arteries reconstruction by arterial tube technique in total thoracoabdominal replacement is simple, and it is helpful in spinal cord protection.
The phenomenon of sex differences exists in patients who have abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). The occurrence rate of AAA is higher in male, while the rates of rupture and postoperative mortality are higher for female. This phenomenon of sex differences would affect the diagnosis, treatment and postoperative rehabilitation for AAA patients. This article reviewed the recent research status of sex differences on AAA, and explored the phenomenon of sex differences from the aspects of threshold determination, biomechanics and mechanobiology. This review points out that the sex differences on AAA could ascribe to the differences of biomechanical environment and biological properties induced by the vascular size, anatomy structure and structure components of abdominal aortic artery. The comprehensive investigations of the sex differences on AAA could help to optimize the diagnosis, treatment and device design, patient care and rehabilitation strategy of AAA based on sex differences phenomenon.
Objective To review the progress of artificial intelligence (AI) and radiomics in the study of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Method The literatures related to AI, radiomics and AAA research in recent years were collected and summarized in detail. Results AI and radiomics influenced AAA research and clinical decisions in terms of feature extraction, risk prediction, patient management, simulation of stent-graft deployment, and data mining. Conclusion The application of AI and radiomics provides new ideas for AAA research and clinical decisions, and is expected to suggest personalized treatment and follow-up protocols to guide clinical practice, aiming to achieve precision medicine of AAA.
The surgical treatment of thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) requires a unique multidisciplinary approach. A thorough preoperative examination and evaluation are essential to determine the optimal timing for surgery and to optimize organ function as needed. During the perioperative period, excellent surgical skills and an appropriate strategy for extracorporeal circulation will be employed based on the extent of the aneurysm. Additionally, necessary measures will be taken to monitor and protect the functions of vital organs. Close monitoring and management in the postoperative stage, along with early detection of complications and effective treatment, are crucial for improving the prognosis of TAAA surgery. This article reviews the current research progress in the perioperative management of TAAA surgery.
The treatment of aortic dissection has already shifted to endovascular strategies. However, with the evolution of this disease and a deeper understanding of it, experts from various countries have developed a series of innovative endovascular techniques and devices in areas such as lumen reconstruction, false lumen embolization, entry sealing, and branch arteries reconstruction, targeting the long-term complication of chronic post-dissection thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. The past few decades have seen that Chinese vascular surgeons have gradually emerged on the world stage and contributed multiple “Chinese solutions” for post-dissection thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. The author in this review intends to provide an overview of these techniques and devices mentioned above.
ObjectiveThis paper aimed to summarize the new progress in surgical indications regarding as maximum diameter from evidence-based medical evidence and morphological rupture-risk assessment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and its clinical application value.MethodThe rupture-risk and its mechanism of AAA in specific population and morphological characteristics were reviewed.ResultsAsymptomatic patients in specific subgroups may also benefit from AAA repair by lowering the intervention threshold. Besides the maximum diameter of aneurysm, other morphological factors, such as the true geometric shape, the wall thickness, and mural thrombus also had important predictive value for AAA rupture risk.ConclusionRupture-risk assessment based on the actual individual situation of AAA patients can further facilitate the clinical diagnosis and treatment.
ObjectiveTo summarize the diagnosis and treatment experience of one case of abdominal aortic aneurysm with iliac arteriovenous fistula.MethodsA case of abdominal aortic aneurysm with left iliac arteriovenous fistula admitted to Nanchong Central Hospital in December 2019 was retrospectively analyzed. The diagnosis and treatment of the patient and the MDT discussion results were summarized.ResultsThe clinical manifestations of this patient was refractory heart failure, and he received heart medicine treatment in Nanchong Center Hospital. The patient diagnosed as abdominal aortic aneurysm with left iliac arteriovenous fistula after computed tomography angiography (CTA), abdominal aorta lumen coated stents isolation (EVAR) during operation was performed after the MDT discussion. Postoperative imaging revealed a tumor cavity abdominal aortic aneurysm and left iliac arteriovenous fistula completely closed, then the heart failure symptoms of the patient was quickly relieved. The whole operation went smoothly, with a duration of about 120 min and intraoperative blood loss of about 100 mL. The patient was discharged from hospital on the 7th day after the operation. CTA and color doppler ultrasound were rechecked in 3 months after the operation, and the stent was found to have unobtrusional blood flow and no internal leakage, and the pseudoaneurysm of the left iliac artery disappeared.ConclusionsFor patients with refractory heart failure, if accompanied by lower limb swelling, the possibility of arteriovenous fistula of the great vessels should be taken into account, and the medical history and physical examination should be collected comprehensively, and necessary examinations should be carried out timely to avoid missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis. Meanwhile, compared with traditional surgery, EVAR is a more reliable, minimally invasive, and safe treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysm with iliac arteriovenous fistula.
ObjectiveTo understand risk factors of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture and the latest progress.MethodThe domestic and foreign related literatures on risk factors affecting AAA rupture were retrieved and reviewed.ResultsBesides some definite risk factors of AAA rupture, including age, gender, hypertension, smoking, family history, complications (such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, etc.), the biomechanical factor was the crucial factor of AAA rupture, including the aortic compliance, aortic wall peak value of pressure, aortic wall calcification, and hemodynamics. The latest imaging methods such as the high resolution ultrasound, function and molecular imaging, and phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging could provide technical supports for the prediction of AAA rupture.ConclusionsThere are many risk factors affecting AAA rupture. Clinicians might prevent and make individualize treatment for AAA rupture according to its risk factors, and risks of AAA rupture could be more accurately assessed with help of new medical imaging examination.
Objective To explore the diagnosis and treatment of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA). Methods Between January 1996 and December 2009, 14 patients with RAAA were treated. There were 13 males and 1 female with an average age of 65 years (range, 50-82 years). The main cl inical manifestations were abdominal pain and/or back pain. Ten cases had low blood pressure or shock. All cases were accurately diagnosed with CT, Doppler ultrasonography,or operation. The aneurysm diameter was from 4.5 cm to 8.0 cm. Eleven cases were treated by conventional operation, 1 by endovascular aortic repair, 1 by conservative treatment, and 1 case died after admission treatment. Results Perioperative death occurred in 6 cases (mortal ity rate was 50%) in 12 surgical patients. One case died after conservative treatment. The overall mortal ity rate was 57.14% (8/14). The causes of death included circulatory failure in 2 cases and multiple organ failure in 4 cases. The other 6 cases were cured. The postoperative hospital ization days were 12 to 34 days (14 days on average). A total of 4 cases were followed up 11 to 40 months without related compl ication. Conclusion Surgical treatment is still a main method to treat RAAA. Early diagnosis, appropriate resuscitation, and urgent surgical repair are crucial to reduce the mortal ity rate of RAAA.
Objective To explore the predictive value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in peripheral blood for postoperative complications of elective endovascular repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Methods From August 2016 to November 2021, the clinical data of patients with AAA who received endovascular isolation repair for the first time in the Department of Vascular Surgery of Beijing Hospital were retrospectively analyzed, including the basic information of the patients, comorbid diseases, and the largest diameter of AAA, preoperative blood labotry test, postoperative complications, long-term survival rate and other indicators. The optimal NLR in peripheral blood was determined, and the differences in postoperative complications and long-term survival rates between the high NLR group and the low NLR group were analysed. Results A total of 120 patients with AAA underwent endovascular isolation for the first time were included in this study, including 105 males and 15 females. The age ranged from 52 to 94 years, with an average of (73.3 ± 8.26) years. The largest diameter of abdominal aortic aneurysm was 35 to 100 mm, with an average of (58.5 ± 12.48) mm. The best cut-off value of NLR for predicting postoperative complications of AAA was 2.45 by using Yoden index screening. Those with NLR ≥2.45 were in the high NLR group (n=66), and those with NLR <2.45 were in the low NLR group (n=54). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of overall complications and the incidence of sub-complications (P>0.05). The results of logistic regression analysis suggested that NLR was an independent risk factor for complications after endovascular repair of AAA (P<0.05). The median survival time of patients in the high NLR group and the low NLR group was 31.47 months and 35.28 months, respectively, and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion NLR can be used as a reference predictor of complications after elective endovascular repair of AAA, but more research results are still needed to confirm.