Simultaneous endovascular exclusion of thoracic aortic aneurysm with open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of aneurysms at multiple sites within the aorta is problematic. METHODS: Between March 2002 and June 2003 in the Department of General, Vascular and Transplant Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw six patients with coexisting abdominal and descending thoracic aortic aneurysms underwent simultaneous open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair and endoluminal thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) repair. The indication for a combined procedure was a diagnosed descending TAA and AAA with no significant risk factors for open aortic surgery or technical contraindications for endovascular treatment of TAA. RESULTS: One patient died in the peri-operative period while the other five patients all recovered well after surgery and were discharged with both aneurysms excluded. CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment of TAA combined with a simultaneous open AAA repair is an efficient and relatively safe treatment modality in patients with TAA and AAA disqualified from endovascular repair. The fact that thoracotomy is not a necessity significantly lowers the complication rate in these patients.     

Hybrid procedure for combined descending thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms

In patients with previous infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair, the risk of spinal cord ischemia increases after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for a descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (DTAA). The case is a 67-year-old man with a 60 mm infrarenal AAA and a 73 mm DTAA. We performed the staged hybrid procedure for these aortic aneurysms. First of all we underwent a conventional AAA repair. The bilateral internal iliac arteries and a inferior mesenteric artery were preserved. In addition, the right leg of the tube graft was anastomosed to the right superficial femoral artery to facilitate access of TEVAR. Two months later we performed TEVAR for the DTAA. DTAA extended from the level of the 7th thoracic vertebra to that of the 11th thoracic vertebra. Although there was a certain risk of paraplegia, no complications occurred. The hybrid procedure for combined DTAA and AAA may be a valuable option.     

Simultaneous Open and Endoluminal Repair of Ruptured Abdominal and Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms: Report of a Case

A 66-year-old woman was transferred to our hospital for emergency treatment of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and impending rupture of a descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) caused by a Stanford type-B dissection. She had severe coronary artery disease and a highly calcified aorta, and had been taking long-term steroids for rheumatoid arthritis. Endovascular repair of the TAA failed because the femoral artery was too small, so we performed simultaneous repair of the TAA and the AAA. A temporary axillofemoral bypass was constructed and the AAA was replaced with a bifurcated prosthetic graft. A thoracic stent graft was delivered successfully through a chimney graft of the abdominal graft. About 4 months later, the TAA extended proximally, causing hemoptysis, which was stopped by placing a new stent graft proximal to the previous one. This case report shows that a combination of open and endovascular repair is useful for treating a TAA with an AAA, especially in a small or frail patient.     

Treatment strategy for patients with concomitant thoracic or abdominal aortic aneurysm and noncardiovascular disease

Therapeutic planning for patients with concomitant thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) or abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and noncardiovascular disease such as cerebral aneurysm, carotid artery stenosis, or lung, intraabdominal or urologic tumor should be considered based on the combination of the two different conditions, the size of aneurysm, or the severity of noncardiovascular disease. The aims of this paper are to review the therapeutic plans for concomitant TAA or AAA and noncardiovascular disease. In patients with concomitant TAA or AAA and cerebral aneurysm, carotid artery stenosis, and concomitant TAA and intraabdominal or urologic tumor, the surgical procedures have usually been staged with the repair of cerebral aneurysm, or carotid artery stenosis, the resection of intraabdominal or urologic tumor performed first, followed by the repair of TAA or AAA. Simultaneous surgical treatment has been performed for most patients with concomitant TAA and lung tumor, and concomitant AAA and intraabdominal or urologic tumor. The issue of performing simultaneous pulmonary resection and repair of AAA in patients with concomitant lung tumor and AAA remains controversial. Endovascular grafting of TAA and AAA can be performed with relatively low procedure-related morbidity and mortality rates in selected patients.     

Paraplegia and paraparesis after descending thoracic aortic aneurysm repair: a risk factor analysis.

BACKGROUND: The risk factors of paraplegia and paraparesis (P/P) after surgical repair of descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) are controversial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy five patients underwent surgical repair of descending TAA from 2001 through 2002. The mean age was 64.2+/-5.2 years old (range; 26-81) and 58 patients (77.3%) are male. There were 47 patients (62.7%) with nondissecting aortic aneurysm and 28 patients (37.3%) with chronic dissecting aortic aneurysm. Emergent operation was performed in 13 cases (17.3%). Retrospective analysis based on data of these 75 patients was performed to determine the risk factors of P/P. RESULTS: 30-days hospital mortality was 2.7%. The overall incidence of P/P was 12.0% (9/75) overall (immediate paraplegia; 4 (5.3%), delayed paraplegia; 1 (1.3%), immediate paraparesis; 3 (4.0%), delayed paraparesis; 1 (1.3%)). Logistic regression analysis revealed that predictive factors of the development of P/P were; cases in which the distal part (below Th9) of the descending thoracic aorta was included in the extent of graft replacement (P=0.020; odds ratio (OR), 7.981) and nondissecting aneurysm (P=0.029; OR, 12.109). CONCLUSION: There was an increased risk of P/P after descending TAA repair in cases in which the extent of graft replacement included below the Th9 or in cases with nondissecting aortic aneurysm.     

Evaluation of spinal cord ischemia in endovascular stent graft repair and surgical operation of descending thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms

Between October 1996 and June 2003, endovascular stent graft repair was performed in 87 patients with descending thoracic aortic aneurysms, graft replacement was performed in 24 patients with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms, and endovascular stent graft repair with concomitant surgical bypass of abdominal visceral arteries was performed in 3 patients with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. The retrievable stent graft was inserted and evoked spinal cord potential were monitored in order to predict spinal cord ischemia for stent graft repair. There was no paraplegia or hospital death, although 3 patients had paraparesis in stent graft repair. Two of the 3 patients with paraparesis made a full neurologic recovery. There were no cases of paraplegia or paraparesis in surgical operations with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. The concomitant surgical procedure was a good technique for patients in whom cardiopulmonary bypass could not be used. Our results of stent graft repair and surgical operation for descending thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms were acceptable. The retrievable stent graft was useful for prediction of spinal cord ischemia before endovascular stent graft repair of descending thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm.     

Simultaneous open abdominal aortic replacement and thoracic stent-graft placement: report of a case

A 77-year-old man with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was admitted to our hospital for surgical treatment of a proximal descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (dTAA) and an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The patient had poor respiratory function; however, a simultaneous abdominal aortic replacement and thoracic stent-graft placement were successfully performed without any complications. This case report demonstrates that simultaneous abdominal aortic replacement and thoracic stent-graft placement for multiple aneurysms may be feasible and can safely be performed in selected high-risk patients, despite the many problems associated with the treatment of aortic aneurysms using stent grafts. Received: January 28, 2002 / Accepted: November 19, 2002 Reprint requests to: H. Midorikawa     

Simultaneous treatment of thoracic and infrarenal aortic aneurysm using a combination of conventional surgery and endoluminal stent grafting

INTRODUCTION: Patients with multiple aortic aneurysms represent a small subgroup with the need for extensive surgical treatment at considerable risk. Endovascular treatment in combination with conventional operation is possible. We demonstrate a case with simultaneous exclusion of aneurysms of the descending thoracic and the infrarenal aorta to outline the technical obligations. CONCLUSION: Simultaneous exclusion of a thoracic and an abdominal aneurysm can be performed successfully by conventional infrarenal aortic replacement with bifurcated dacron prosthesis and endovascular implantation of a thoracic stent-graft within one operation.     

胸主动脉夹层合并腹主夹层动脉瘤的一期腔内治疗

目的：探讨胸主动脉夹层动脉瘤合并腹主动脉夹层动脉瘤病人一期腔内隔绝术治疗的可行性、手术操作技巧及并发症防治原则。方法和结果：1例Stanford B型胸主动脉夹层动脉瘤合并腹主动脉夹层动脉瘤及双侧髂动脉瘤的病人于2006年3月在本中心接受了腔内隔绝术。MRA检查提示．主动脉弓降交界处开始出现夹层．真腔受压变窄，以胸腹交界处及腹主动脉中段最明显，最扁窄处为0．5cm；假腔在腹主动脉中段明显，最大径约5．0cm，假腔再人口位于左髂总动脉近端。双侧髂总动脉迂曲并呈瘤样扩张。腹腔干、肠系膜上动脉及双侧肾动脉均发自真腔。手术在全麻下进行：降主动脉植入规格为34-34-100mm的直管型Talent移植物，封闭夹层裂口：腹主动脉植入规格为AOI26-12-170mm Talent移植物，远端连接12．12．68mmTalent移植物至一侧髂外动脉，行双侧股-股转流。瘤体隔绝完全，手术约耗时300min，失血1000ml，透视6min，使用威视派克450ml。术后21d出院。术后随访半年，病人生活质量良好，复查CTA显示：移植物通畅，瘤腔内均完全形成血栓。结论：腔内隔绝术的微创特点使一期治疗Stanford B型主动脉夹层动脉瘤合并腹主动脉瘤成为一种比较安全的手术。主动脉长段隔绝也有利于降低截瘫的发生率。     

Aortenzentren

The ideal aortic center is a maximum care center which treats all pathologies from the aortic root downwards, including the side branches and target organs. Furthermore, it offers the best quality of all treatment modalities round the clock. Should aortic surgery only be performed at ideal aortic centers? Meta-analyses, which investigated the volume-outcome relationship for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgery identified a hospital and/or surgeon low annual operation volume as being a significant mortality predictor. Data from these studies suggested that AAA surgery should be performed only at high-volume centers but there is no evidence to centralize patients with infrarenal, juxtarenal and suprarenal AAA in maximum care aortic centers as defined above. However, absolutely safe AAA surgery requires a competent and experienced team, a minimal annual case volume and an adequate infrastructure. These conditions are more or less applicable to thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). In contrast thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) open repair and all thoracic abdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA) should be treated in specialized aortic centers because TAA(A) surgery requires high expertise and vast experience as well as extensive technical equipment to provide extracorporeal circulation and neuromonitoring.     

Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair through redo left-sided thoracotomy

BACKGROUND: The outcome of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair through redo-left thoracotomy after operations for descending thoracic aortic aneurysms was investigated. METHODS: Between May 1982 and March 2003, 100 patients underwent thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair in elective surgery without profound hypothermic circulatory arrest. Thirty of these patients had previously undergone operations for descending thoracic aortic aneurysms. To evaluate the influence of previous descending thoracic aortic aneurysm repairs on the results of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm replacements, patients were divided into two groups: (1) patients who had previously undergone descending thoracic aortic aneurysm repair (group I; n = 30), and (2) patients who had not previously undergone descending thoracic aortic aneurysm repair (group II; n = 70). RESULTS: The distal aortic perfusion time and operation time were both longer in group I than in group II, but there was no significant difference between the two groups in total selective visceral and renal perfusion time or aortic clamp time. In-hospital mortality rates were 13% in group I and 19% in group II (p = 0.52). Major postoperative complications included paraplegia (10% of patients in group I and 4.3% of patients in group II; p = 0.36), renal failure requiring hemodialysis (20% of patients in group I and 11% of patients in group II; p = 0.35), respiratory failure (30% of patients in group I and 19% of patients in group II; p = 0.22). CONCLUSIONS: Previously descending thoracic aortic aneurysm and redo-left thoracotomy do not adversely affect the outcome of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair.     

Results of contemporary surgical treatment of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms: Experience in 198 patients

Between April 1987 and March 1995, 198 patients (133 male [67.17%] and 65 female [32.83%]; mean age 63.85 years) underwent descending thoracic aortic aneurysm repair. Of these, 142 patients (71.71%) had symptoms. In most patients (n=123 [62%]) the aneurysmal disease was extensive, involving at least two thirds of the descending aorta. In 153 patients (77.27%), the repair was completed with the simple clamp technique (mean clamping time 24.6 minutes). Left atrium-to-femoral bypass was used in 26 patients (13.13%) at high risk (mean clamping time 37.4 minutes). Profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest were necessary in 19 patients (9.6%) with extensive aneurysms that involved the arch and ascending aorta (mean circulatory arrest time 46 minutes). Operative mortality was 5.1% (n=10). The causes of death were cardiac in three patients (1.5%), pulmonary in four (2.0%), and renal in three (1.5%). Postoperative paraplegia occurred in three patients (1.5%). Important predictors (p < 0.05) of mortality at regression analysis included renal failure, pulmonary complications, and paraplegia. The only independent predictor of paraplegia was clamping time. In conclusion, the simple clamp procedure remains the technique of choice in the majority of patients with descending aortic aneurysms. Atriofemoral bypass is an important adjunct in patients at high risk.Presented at the Twentieth Annual Meeting of the Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society, New Orleans, La., June 10, 1995.     

Simultaneous repair of arch and abdominal aortic aneurysms

Objective: Atherosclerotic aneurysms in the aortic arch are associated with abdominal aortic aneurysms in up to 37% of cases. We have developed a single-stage approach to the repair of both aneurysms using a temporary bypass. Subjects: Since November 1996, 5 patients underwent simultaneous repair of aneurysms in the aortic arch and in the infrarenal abdominal aorta, using a new temporary bypass graft technique. Entire arch replacement with simultaneous abdominal aortic aneurysmectomy was performed in one patient. The other 4 patients underwent distal hemiarch replacement distal from the orifice of the brachiocephalic artery with simultaneous repair of the abdominal aortic aneurysm. Method: For the entire arch replacement procedure, blood flow to all major branches of the aortic arch was established using a bifurcated graft. This graft anastomosed to the ascending aorta was used as the proximal inflow of the temporary bypass graft. For the hemiarch replacement procedure, the proximal inflow segment of the temporary bypass graft was anastomosed to the brachiocephalic artery. In both cases, the distal outflow segment of the temporary bypass graft was the graft used for repair of the abdominal aortic aneurysm. In order to prevent any clamp injury, Teflon felt was tightly wrapped around the aorta before the clamp was applied. Results: Evaluation of the hemodynamic parameters measured during cross-clamping of the aortic arch revealed stable distal perfusion to the visceral organs and no excessive increase in cardiac afterload. All patients had an uneventful postoperative course and were discharged within 1 month of surgery. Conclusion: Our temporary bypass method is recommended for simultaneous replacement of aneurysms in the aortic arch and the abdominal aorta.     

Surgical treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm after repairs of descending thoracic or infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm.

OBJECTIVE: The outcome of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair after operations for descending thoracic or infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm was investigated. METHODS: Between May 1982 and July 2000, 102 patients underwent thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Of these patients, 36 had previously undergone operations for descending thoracic or abdominal aortic aneurysm. To evaluate the influence of previous descending thoracic or infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair on the results of TAAA replacement, patients were divided into two groups: one group of patients who had previously undergone descending thoracic or infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (group I, n=36) and one group of patients who had not previously undergone descending thoracic or infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (group II, n=66). RESULTS: Patients with previous descending thoracic or infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair had more chronic dissection and extensive thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. The distal aortic perfusion time and total aortic clamp time were both longer in group I. The total selective visceral and renal perfusion time and operation time did not differ significantly between the two groups. In 30-day mortality rates were 5.5% in group I and 13% in group II. Major postoperative complications included paraplegia in 14% of patients in group I and 3.1% in group II, renal failure requiring hemodialysis in 22% of patients in group I and 19% of patients in group II, respiratory failure in 36% of patients in group I and 30% of patients in group II, postoperative hemorrhage in 11% of patients in group I and 16% of patients in group II. CONCLUSION: The presence of a previous descending thoracic or infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm did not adversely affect the outcome of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair.     

Exclusion-bypass for aneurysms of the descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aorta

From October 1973 to April 1985, 81 patients with aneurysms of the descending thoracic or thoracoabdominal aorta underwent surgery. Eight (10%) of these patients were treated by exclusion-bypass. The aneurysm was located in the descending aorta alone in five cases, and in the descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aorta in three cases. In all cases, the proximal anastomosis of the bypass was performed on the ascending aorta. The site of the distal anastomosis was the supraceliac aorta in two cases, the infrarenal aorta in three cases and the iliac arteries in three other cases. Exclusion was bipolar, at each end of the aneurysm, in six cases, and unipolar, ie. proximal interruption only, in two cases. Two patients died during the first postoperative month, one of rupture of the distal portion of the aortic arch, the second, after onset of secondary paraplegia. There were no other spinal, cardiac or cerebral complications. One patient died three months postoperatively of intercurrent pulmonary infection. The five other surviving patients whose mean follow-up period is 48.1±25 months, are alive and enjoying good health. Resection and grafting as advocated by Crawford, is the usual treatment proposed for aneurysms of the descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aorta. Exclusionbypass may however be preferred in the following cases: elderly patients with compromised respiratory status, aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta, either voluminous, of infectious origin or associated with aneurysm of the infrarenal abdominal aorta.     

One-staged operation for multiple aortic aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta and abdominal aorta; report of a case

A 66-year-old man underwent successfully on one-staged operation for aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta and abdominal aorta. For the operation of descending thoracic aortic aneurysm, a temporary bypass was used from the proximal side of aneurysm to the distal one. The sacculer aneurismal wall of the descending thoracic aorta was repaired by patch formation using a knitted graft. Abdominal aortic aneurysm was replaced using a Gelsoft graft. The operation time was 7 hours and 35 minutes. Blood transfusion was not needed. The postoperative course was uneventful. It is suggested that one-staged operation for descending thoracic aortic aneurysm under the assist of temporary bypass and abdominal aortic aneurysm is possible.     

Delayed paraplegia 10 months after endovascular repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm

Spinal cord ischemia after treatment of thoracic pathologies remains a devastating problem. A 74-year-old man with a history of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair presented with bilateral common iliac and left femoral aneurysms as well as a thoracic aortic aneurysm. He underwent an open repair of the iliac and femoral aneurysms, followed by thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair in a staged manner without complications. Ten months later, he presented with hypotension, and permanent paraplegia developed.     

大动脉病变的外科手术治疗

目的　探讨大动脉病变的手术治疗方法。方法　回顾性分析 86例大动脉病变外科手术治疗的临床资料。其中胸腹主动脉瘤 3例 ;降主动脉夹层破裂并巨大假性动脉瘤形成椎骨破损 2例 ;腹主动脉局限性夹层破裂并假性动脉瘤形成 2例 ;腹主动脉瘤十二指肠空肠曲瘘并消化道大出血 1例 ;腹主动脉瘤破裂并休克 5例 ,腹主动脉外伤后破裂 3例 ;腹主动脉瘤和 /或并单或双侧髂动脉瘤2 1例 ;髂动脉瘤 6例 ;股动脉瘤 9例 ;髂或股动脉假性动脉瘤 2 1例 ;右锁骨下动脉和椎动脉起始部破裂并巨大假性动脉瘤形成 1例 ;左或右锁骨下动脉破裂并假性动脉瘤形成 3例 ;颈动脉瘤 2例 ,颈动脉假性动脉瘤 7例。行人工血管置换治疗 71例 ,自体静脉修补 3例 ,动脉破口修补术 12例。结果　术中及术后 3 0d死亡率为 3 .5 % ( 3 /86)。随访 73例 ,随访时间 1个月至 5年 ,除 1例腹主动脉瘤十二指肠瘘患者已死亡外 ,余均生存良好。结论　大动脉病变的外科手术治疗仍然是一种十分有效和经济实用的方法 ,在技巧等方面的改进有利于提高手术的成功率     

Aortic aneurysms in children and young adults with tuberous sclerosis: report of two cases and review of the literature

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in children and young adults are rare; some have been observed in patients with tuberous sclerosis (TS). We report two cases and review the literature. A 9-year-old girl with TS was diagnosed with a 3-cm calcified AAA, and a 41-year-old man with TS was diagnosed with a 7.5-cm thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA). Both patients underwent open repair with a tube polyester graft without complication. They are both doing well at 7 and 8 years after surgery. Pathologic evaluation revealed medial atrophy and focal medial disruption in the aortic wall in both patients. With our two cases, 15 patients with TS and aneurysms have been reported; 12 had AAA, and four had TAA (one patient had both). Three AAAs and two TAAs ruptured. Six patients died because of aneurysmal disease. There is an association between TS and aortic aneurysms. Patients should be screened for aortic aneurysms at the time TS is diagnosed and annually thereafter. Because of the high risk of rupture, early elective repair is suggested. New aortic aneurysms after repair may also develop.     

Descending thoracic aortic aneurysm: surgical approach and treatment using the adjuncts cerebrospinal fluid drainage and distal aortic perfusion

BACKGROUND: Neurologic deficit (paraplegia or paraparesis) remains a significant morbidity in the repair of descending thoracic aortic aneurysm. METHODS: Between February 1991 and February 2000, we operated on 182 patients for descending thoracic aortic aneurysm. For the purpose of this study-to identify the impact of the combined adjuncts distal aortic perfusion and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage on neurologic outcome-we selected the 148 of 182 nonemergent patients who had received conventional treatment (simple cross-clamping with or without adjuncts). The mean patient age was 61 years, and 49 of the 148 (33%) patients were women. Nine of the 148 patients (6%) had acute type B dissections. We compared the results of 105 of the 148 patients (71%) who received the combined adjuncts of CSF drainage and distal aortic perfusion with the remaining 43 (29%) patients who underwent repair using the simple cross-clamp with or without the addition of a single adjunct. RESULTS: Overall 30-day mortality was 13 of 148 patients (8.8%). Overall early neurologic deficit was 4 of 148 (2.7%): 1 of 105 (0.9%) patients who had received distal aortic perfusion and CSF drainage, versus 3 of 43 (7%) in all other patients (p < 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: In our practice the use of the combined adjuncts of CSF drainage and distal aortic perfusion has all but eliminated the incidence of immediate postoperative neurologic deficit in nonemergent patients with aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta.