To visualize and quantify the hemodynamics in the aortic arch in normal individuals, we used velocity distribution, retrograde flow, vortex formation, and mean energy loss (mEL) at different cardiac cycles in our study. We performed Vector flow mapping (VFM) analysis by using echocardiography in 87 healthy volunteers. The results showed that ① in different sections of the aortic arch, a skewed peak flow velocity (Vp) always appeared in the period of rapid ejection but in different distribution. The systolic flow in the entire aortic arch rose rapidly from near-zero at the point of iso-volumetric contraction to the peak velocity at the period of rapid ejection, and then decreased gradually; ② In the period of iso-volumetric relaxation, retrograde flow and vortex were observed in all subjects in the inner wall of the entire aortic arch; and ③ The change rule of mEL in the entire aortic arch was similar to that of flow velocity. VFM can provide insights into the intra-aortic arch flow patterns, and offer essential fundamentals about flow features associated with common aortic diseases.
Objective To evaluate the outcome of surgical repair of interrupted aortic arch (IAA) combined with anomalies. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 48 patients with IAA combined with anomalies undergoing one-stage biventricular repair in Shanghai Children's Medical Center from November 2006 to April 2016. There were 25 males and 23 females with a median age of 29 d (range, 8 to 91 d) and a mean weight of 3.80±0.67 kg. All patients underwent end-to-end anastomosis with patch augmentation, and relief of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) was performed in 11 patients. Results In IAA children with anomalies, 39 (81.3%) suffered noncomplex lesions and 9 (18.8%) complex lesions. Mean follow-up was 72.1±19.7 months for 38 patients. There were 6 in-hospital deaths and 3 patients died during follow-up. The early survival rate was 87.5%, 5-year rate 83.3% and 10-year rate 81.3%. Reintervention was required in 10 patients, including 8 with subsequent LVOTO and 2 with anastomotic stenosis. Conclusion End-to-end anastomosis with patch augmentation is effective for IAA.
Objective To study surgical indication, technique for treating acute Stanford type A aortic dissection involving repair of the aortic arch using Sun’s procedure with preservation of autologous brachiocephalic artery. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 28 consecutive patients (23 males, 5 females) who underwent operations on acute Stanford type A aortic dissection using Sun’s procedure with preservation of autologous brachiocephalic artery in our hospital between August 2011 and October 2013. The mean age was 29-62 (47±8) years. There were 26 patients with hypertension and 2 patients with Mafan syndrome. Sun’s procedure with preservation of autologous brachiocephalic artery was performed in all patients, concomitant procedure included aortic root replacement (Bentall) in 4 patients, aortic root replacement (Bentall) and mitral valve replacement (MVR) in 1 patient, aortic valsalva sinus plasty in 6 patients. Results The cardiopulmonary bypass time was 167±37 min. The cross clamp time was 80±22 min. Selective cerebral perfusion time was 29±5 min. One patient died postoperatively from acute hepatic failure. Two patients suffered from transient neurologic deficit and recovered after treatment during follow-up. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) of aorta was performed in each patient before discharged from the hospital. The patency of the anastomotic site at brachiocephalic artery was identified. Descending aortic true lumen was significantly expanded. There was only 2 patients with endoleak and total thrombosis of false lumen was found near stent graft with 25 patients. The 27 patients were followed up for 47 (36-62) months. One patient with descending thoracic aortic dilatation underwent thoracoabdoninal aortic replacement. One combined with acute endometrial tear underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair. Conclusion Sun’s procedure with preservation of autologous brachiocephalic artery is safe and effective in the treatment of acute Stanford type A dissection in patients without brachiocephalic artery involved. Low mortality and complication rate are achieved, but the long-term results need the further follow-up.
Objective To investigate the association between D-dimer levels within 2 hours of admission and in-hospital major adverse events (MAEs) in patients with acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) who underwent total arch replacement combined with frozen elephant trunk (FET) implantation. Methods This retrospective study included patients with ATAAD who underwent total arch replacement with FET implantation at Fuwai Yunnan Cardiovascular Hospital from September 2017 to December 2022. Patients were divided into two groups based on the occurrence of in-hospital MAEs: a MAEs group and a non-MAEs group (control). Perioperative data were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for in-hospital MAEs, which included in-hospital death, gastrointestinal bleeding, paraplegia, acute kidney injury, low cardiac output syndrome, stroke, respiratory failure, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, and severe infection. The predictive value of D-dimer was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results A total of 218 patients were included (157 males, 61 females), with a mean age of (51.54±9.79) years. There were 152 patients in the non-MAEs group and 66 in the MAEs group. The overall incidence of in-hospital MAEs was 30.3%, and the in-hospital mortality rate was 2.8% (6/218). Compared to the non-MAEs group, the MAEs group had significantly higher levels of D-dimer and lactate, as well as longer cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross-clamp time, and ICU length of stay (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified D-dimer as an independent risk factor for in-hospital MAEs [OR=1.077, 95%CI (1.020, 1.137), P=0.013]. The AUC for the D-dimer level within 2 hours of admission to predict in-hospital MAEs was 0.83 [95%CI (0.736, 0.870), P<0.001]. The optimal cutoff value was 2.2 μg/mL, with a sensitivity of 84.8% and a specificity of 73.0%. Conclusion The serum D-dimer level is an independent risk factor for in-hospital MAEs in patients with ATAAD following total arch replacement with FET implantation. D-dimer levels on admission can help clinicians optimize risk stratification and perioperative management, potentially reducing the incidence of early adverse events.
Abstract: Objective To summarize the clinical experiences of resection with patch aortoplasty for infant coarctation of the aorta combined with aortic arch hypoplasia. Methods Between May 2007 and December 2009, 49 patients including 30 males and 19 females with coarctation with hypoplastic aortic arch underwent coarctation resection and patch aortoplasty in Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University. The age of the patients ranged from 23 days to 3 years and 1 month with thirtyfour patients under 6 months, ten between 6 months and 1 year old, and five more than 1 year old. The surgery under deep hypothermia cardiopulmonary bypass with selective cerebral perfusion were performed in 31 cases and circulation arrest in 15 cases; under moderate hypothermia cardiopulmonary bypass in 3 cases. Pericardia patch was used in 31 cases, pulmonary autograft patch in 14 cases and xenograft pericardia patch in 4 cases. The associated intracardiac anomalies were repaired in the same stage. Results One case died from circulation failure during the perioperative period. The operative mortality was 204% (1/49). Low cardiac output syndrome and renal failure respectively occurred in 5 cases and 1 case who were cured afterwards by correspondent treatments. No residual obstruction was detected by echocardiography after the operation. Followup was carried out in fortyeight cases for a minimum of 4 months and a maximum of 3 years. Echocardiographic examination showed that the gradient through the aortic arch was more than 40 mm Hg and computed tomography showed recoarctation in 1 case who underwent reoperation eight months after the operation; the gradient was more than 20 mm Hg in 2 cases who were under continuous observation; all the rest cases had a fine aortic arch morphology and for these patients, the blood velocity at descending aortic arch was not obviously changed during the followup period compared with that right after operation, the computed tomography showed a normal aortic arch geometry. Left bronchus compression was relieved obviously or totally disappeared in patients who suffered from left bronchus stenosis before the operation without any aortic aneurysm detected. Conclusion Coarctation resection with patch aortoplasty is considered as an optimal surgical method for management of infant coarctation with hypoplastic aortic arch.
Objective To explore of a surgical approach of posterior pericardial ascending-to-descending aortic bypass through a median sternotomy for complex coarctation and interrupted aortic arch adult patients with coexistent cardiac disorder. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 2 adult patients with complex coarctation and 1 adult patient with interrupted aortic arch and all with coexistent cardiac disorder who underwent ascending-to-descending aortic bypass in our hospital between April 2010 and January 2015. There were 2 males and 1 female with age of 35.6 (27-46) years. One patient was with complex coarctation, and prolapse of anterior mitral leaflet with moderate regurgitation. One patient was with complex coarctation, and bicuspid aortic valve with severe aortic regurgitation, and ascending aortic aneurysm. One patient was with interrupted aortic arch (type A), and bicuspid aortic valve with mild stenosis, and secundum atrial septal defect. The surgical approach used in all patients was the median sternotomy. After aorta, femoral artery and bicaval cannulation, hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass was established. With posterior pericardial ascending-to-descending aortic bypass procedure for repair of complex coarctation and interrupted aortic arch with coexistent cardiac disorder. Results There was no death. The symptoms of the patients obviously improved. All the patients were alive with ascending-to-descending aortic bypass procedure at a mean follow-up ranged from 2 to 59 months. Except that one patient had residual upper-extremity hypertension, and needed antihypertensive medications taken postoperatively, other patients’ systolic blood pressure returned to normal level. All patients’ lower-extremity fatigability resolved. Postoperative computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the patients showed that dacron graft was unobstructed with no graft-related complications of kinking and narrowing, development of false aneurysms or other complications. Conclusion The surgical management of adult patients’ complex coarctation and interrupted aortic arch with coexistent cardiac disorder, a one-stage approach using pericardial ascending-to-descending aortic bypass through a median sternotomy is an alternative surgery.
Objective To summarize our experience and the early and midterm outcomes of stented elephant trunk procedure for right-sided aortic arch (RAA) with Kommerell's diverticulum (KD). Methods From April 2013 to July 2020, patients with RAA and KD who underwent stented elephant trunk procedure at our center were collected. Surgery was performed under moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest combined with selective antegrade cerebral perfusion via median sternotomy. Results A total of 8 patients were included, including 7 males and 1 female with a mean age of 51.88±9.61 years. All patients had an aneurysmal KD and aberrant left subclavian artery. Preoperative comorbidities included acute Stanford type B aortic dissection in 1 patient, aortic arch pseudoaneurysm in 1 patient, acute type B intramural hematoma in 2 patients, and coronary artery disease in 1 patient. Concomitant procedures included reconstruction of the left subclavian artery in all patients and coronary artery bypass grafting in 1 patient. The mean time of operation, cardiopulmonary bypass, aortic cross-clamping, and selective cerebral perfusion was 6.25±1.16 h, 157.75±40.07 min, 77.75±33.10 min, and 28.50±5.55 min, respectively. No intraoperative death occurred. There was 1 in-hospital death. Follow-up was completed in all patients with a mean period of 3.58±2.08 years. No late death occurred. A persistent anastomotic leak of the proximal arch was detected in 1 patient, but reintervention was not performed because neither aortic dilatation nor symptoms of tracheal and esophageal compression were observed during the follow-up. The remaining 6 patients showed positive aortic remodeling with complete thrombosis of the aneurysmal KD, and neither aortic event nor tracheal and esophageal compression occurred. Conclusion Stented elephant trunk procedure is a safe and feasible technique for selected patients with RAA and KD, which can achieve favorable early and midterm outcomes.
Objective To summarize the efficacy of aortic arch 1 zone clamping technique in the procedure of ascending aortic aneurysm involving the proximal aortic arch. Methods The clinical data of patients with ascending aortic aneurysm involving the proximal aortic arch who underwent surgical treatment with aortic arch 1 zone clamping technique in our hospital from 2017 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. ResultsA total of 35 patients were enrolled, including 21 males and 14 females, with an average age of 63.9±10.8 years. According to different lesions, the proximal aorta underwent Bentall/Carbrol procedure in 8 patients, Wheat in 4 patients, David in 3 patients, and ascending aorta replacement in 20 patients. Distal lesions were completely resected under aortic arch 1 zone clamping technique, and anastomotic reconstruction was performed under hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. Distal anastomosis was performed with interrupted suture in 7 patients, and continuous suture with intermittent reinforcement of the posterior wall in 28 patients. All patients successfully completed the procedure. The average cardiopulmonary bypass time was 121.5±28.2 min, the aortic clamping time was 78.1±21.3 min, and the distal anastomosis time was 15.2±3.6 min. One patient underwent a second thoracotomy for hemostasis, and the remaining patients were drained 330.6±108.1 mL on the first day following the procedure. The postoperative mechanical ventilation time of 2 patients exceeded 24 hours, and the main complications were pulmonary infection in 1 patient and acute renal injury in 2 patients. Transient delirium occurred in 2 patients and no transient or permanent neurological dysfunction occurred. The average follow-up time was 2.6±1.1 years. The maximum diameter of the ascending aorta after operation was 30.4±0.9 mm, the diameter of zone 1 aortic arch was 39.8±3.1 mm, and the diameter of the distal aortic arch was 32.3±4.3 mm. There was no lesion in the artificial blood vessels of all patients, and no aneurysms occurred at the proximal or distal anastomosis. No reoperation or intervention was needed for the aorta. ConclusionThe aortic arch 1 zone clamping technique can simplify the procedure of ascending aortic aneurysm involving the proximal aortic arch, reduce or avoid the use of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, reduce the surgical trauma, and has good short-term and medium-term efficacy.
Myocardial and cerebral protection are always the major concerns in neonatal aortic arch surgery. From the application of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest technology to continuous cardio-cerebral perfusion strategy adopted in many cardiac centers recently, each perfusion method has its own pros and cons, so there is no consensus on which one is the most suitable. This review aims to summarize the development and research progress of various perfusion methods, so that to provide a foundation for further development.
Antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) and retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP) are the two major types of brain protection during aortic arch surgery. Which one is better has still been debated. By summarizing and analyzing the research progress of the comparative research of antegrade cerebral perfusion and retrograde cerebral perfusion in aortic arch surgery, we have found that there was no significant difference between ACP and RCP in terms of temporary nerve dysfunction (TND), permanent nerve dysfunction (PND), stroke, early mortality, morbidity, long-time survival, and a composite outcome of hospital death, bleeding, prolonged ventilation, need for dialysis, infection and stroke. But RCP resulted in a high incidence of prolonged mean ICU-stay and hospital-stay, longer mean extubation time as well as higher cost. And the surgeon is given more time to reconstruct the vessels of the arch since mean operative time is longer in the ACP. So we think that antegrade cerebral perfusion might be preferred as the brain protection method for complicated aortic arch procedures. If a surgeon confirms that the surgery is not very sophisticated and can be completed in a short time, it is better to choose RCP because of no catheter or cannula in the surgical field to impede the surgeon. The article aims at providing a reference to cardiac surgeries when choosing cerebral protection strategy in aortic arch surgery.