Thoraco-abdominal Aorta Revascularization through a Retroperitoneal Approach

Objective To investigate the application of the retroperitoneal approach in aortic surgery. Methods We collected and analyzed data of 7 patients in Macau who presented with aortic diseases from 2007 to 2008 and were treated with aorta repair through retroperitoneal approach. Demographic features as well as intraoperative and postoperative data were analyzed. One case of thoracoabdominal aneurysm and 4 cases of abdominal aneurysm received artificial graft, among which hybrid iliac artery reconstruction with Zenith stent covering the ostium of the left subclavian artery was performed in 2 cases of infrarenal abdominal aneurysm. Aortic-iliac artery bypass was performed in 2 cases of aortoiliac occlusion. Results No operative or early postoperative death was observed. No perioperative intestinal adhesion or ureteral obstruction was found. One case reported delayed paraplegia and graft infection as postoperative complications. The complications were partially removed 3 months later after rehabilitation. Conclusion Retroperitoneal approach is a safe and feasible technique, which associated with a low incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications.     

Effect of pulmonary autograft transplantation in the surgical treatment of aortic valve disease

Background Aortic root replacement with pulmonary autograft （Ross procedure） has the advantages of good haemodynamics and growth potential without the need for anticoagulation. In this study, we reviewed our experience of the Ross procedure for patients with aortic valve disease. Methods From October 1994 to January 2005, 42 Ross procedures were performed in our centre. There were 30 males and 12 females. The mean age was 28＋15 years （range, 5-56 years）. Congenital heart disease （CHD） with aortic valve stenosis （AS） and/or aortic valve insufficiency （AI） in 40 cases including one associated with ventricular septal defect （VSD）, degenerated aortic valve disease with AS in 1 and subacutive bacterial endocarditis （SBE） with AI in 1 were studied. The diagnosis was made by ultracardiography （UCG） in all patients. The mean aortic valve annulus diameter （AVD） was （2.45±0.31） cm and pulmonary valve annulus diameter （MPVD） was （2.34±0.21） cm. All patients had normal pulmonary valves. The New York Heart Association （NYHA） function class was Ⅱ in 36 cases and Ⅲin 6 cases. The operation was performed under moderate hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass （CPB） with aortic root replacement using pulmonary autograft and pulmonary valve replacement with a homograft. Results There was no early hospital mortality. Postoperative UCG showed normal aortic valve function in all our patients. The mean gradient across the aortic valve was （6.11±0.12） mmHg. The left ventricular diastole diameter （LVDD） decreased significantly from （62±5） mm to （56±3） mm （P 〈0.001）. The mean postoperative left ventricular ejective fraction （LVEF） was 0.49±0.23. All patients were in NYHA class Ⅰ-Ⅱ. Follow-up was completed in 38 cases for a mean period of 3.2 years （range 1-10 years）. All survivors were in NYHA class Ⅰ with normal neo-aortic and pulmonary valve function. One patient died after secondary operation due to homograft fungal endocarditis 1 year af     

Experience of treating retrograde type A dissection with primary entry tear in the descending thoracic aorta and early outcome.

Background Surgery for Stanford type A aortic dissection remains a great challenge because of its need for extensive aortic replacement and remarkable mortality and morbidity. We here introduce our preliminary experience with medical therapy and thoracic endovascular aortic repair(TEVAR) for primary retrograde type A dissection(PRTAD) with the entry tear in the descending thoracic aorta. Methods From March 2008 to August 2010, 5 continuous patients with PRTAD were admitted into our institution. All the lesions were discovered by the spiral computed tomographic angiography (CTA).Once vitals were stabilized, therapeutic measures were applied to the patients including medical therapy and TEVAR. Follow-up was performed with CTA at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and annually thereafter. Diameter measurement of ascending aorta, aortic arch, aorta of the anchoring site and descending aorta was obtained from each follow-up CTA. Results Two patients were simply medically treated: 1 because of the coexistent malignant tumor with short life expectancy, the other for financial reasons. Three patients underwent TEVAR, in whom technical success was unexceptionally achieved with the left subclavian artery intentionally covered. Type I endoleak was observed in 1 patient and managed with balloon dilatation. All patients were followed up (4.6±2.7) months(range, 1 to 11 months). All were free from ischemic stroke or paralysis during the follow-up, and CTA showed complete thrombosis of false lumen in 3 patients、partial thrombosis in 2 and no newly-developed dissection or endoleak. Diameter of ascending aorta, aortic arch and anchoring site expanded during the follow-up. Conclusions TEVAR for PRTAD appeared to be feasible and effective, while the long-term results remained to be determined. In patients with serious co-morbidities and short life expectancy, medical therapy would be recommended.     

Strategies for managing the insufficiency of the proximal landing zone during endovascular thoracic aortic repair

Background The insufficiency of the proximal landing zone (PLZ) is a frequent factor challenging the applicability and efficacy of endovascular repair (EVR) for thoracic aortic disorders. This study discusses two strategies for conquering this challenge.Methods Ten patients underwent EVR for thoracic aortic diseases during a one-year period ending June 30, 2004. Nine patients had DeBakey type Ⅲ dissecting aortic aneurysm (DAA), and one had descending thoracicaortic aneurysm (DTAA). The PLZ, defined as the distance from the origin of the left subclavian artery (LSA) to the primary entry tear of the dissection or to the proximal aspect of DTAA, was less than 15 mm in all instances. EVR with intentional coverage of the LSA without any supportive bypass was employed in 6 patients with DAA, and the preliminary right-left carotid and left carotid-subclavian bypass combined with EVR in the DTAA and other 3 DAA cases.Results Technical success was achieved in all the patients. The patient with DTAA died from hemispheric cerebral infarction and subsequent multiple system organ failure following an uneventful recovery from the cervical reconstruction performed 1 week previously. In cases receiving the EVR with intentional coverage of the LSA, in two patients dizziness occurred, which noticeably resolved after intravenous administration of mannitol for 4 to 5 days, and a drop in blood pressure of the left arm was noted in all the cases, but remained clinically silent. No neurological deficits or limb ischaemia developed perioperatively or during the followup, ranging from 3 to 12 months, and complete thrombosis of the thoracic aortic false lumen was revealed on CT at 3 months in the 9 patients with DAA.Conclusions Both the intentional bypass absent coverage of the LSA and the adjunctive surgical bypass appear to be feasible and effective in managing the insufficiency of the PLZ during the endovascular thoracic aortic repair.     

Hybrid Endovascular Aorta Repair with Simultaneous Supra-aortic Branch or Iliac Branch Revascularization

Objective To describe a hybrid endovascular procedure for aorta repair with different kinds of bypass followed by concomitant placement of stent graft in the aorta. Methods From June 2007 to May 2008, 5 consecutive patients who presented with aortic aneurysm or dissection were treated with a new hybrid aorta repair technique. Complete surgical rerouting of supra-aortic vessels was simultaneously created by endovascular repair of aortic arch aneurysm with stent graft. Hybrid left carotid-subclavian bypass with stent graft deployment covering the ostium of the left subclavian artery was performed in a Debakey type III aortic dissection case. The supra-aortic branch was revascularized in 2 cases from ascending aorta to bilateral common carotid arteries using a 16-8 mm bifurcated graft, then total aortic arch and descending artery was occluded with stent-graft. The left carotid artery to the left subclavian artery bypass was created in 1 case, followed by stent-graft deployment. Two cases of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm underwent left external iliac artery to left internal iliac artery bypass by a retroperineal route, then hybrid procedure was performed with bifurcated stent-graft. All stent grafts were deployed via a retrograde femoral artery approach in 5 patients. Results Technical success with complete aneurysmal exclusion was achieved in all patients. There was no incidence of encloleak. During a follow-up period of 2 to 10 months, documented perioperative neurologic events did not occur in all patients. One patient suffered from adult respiratory distress syndrome. After received tracheostomy, he recovered later. There was one death resulting from a postoperative myocar- dial infarction. Conclusion Hybrid arch repair provides an alternative therapy to patients otherwise considered prohibitively high risk for traditional open arch and thoracoabdominal aorta repair.     

A special type of endovascular stent repair with complicated thoracic aneurysm and chronic type B dissection aligned in tandem: double perfusion in true and false distal aorta lumen

Aortic dissection and aortic aneurysm are two of the most common catastrophic events involving the aorta. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair is now considered as a promising alternative to open surgical graft replacement. The aim of endovascular repair of a thoracic aneurysm is to exclude, and thus depressurize, the aneurismal wall and the aim of the endovascular repair of type B aortic dissection is to obliterate all of the false lumen through thrombosis after sealing the primary entry tears, thus to ensure the true lumen perfusion. But in some special pathologies, such as when the aneurysm and chronic type B dissection are aligned in tandem, or when a visceral branch originates from the false lumen, how should the endovascular repair strategy proceed in this situation？ For the endovascular stent repair of some special chronic type B aortic dissection, the false lumen cannot be obliterated, and the true and false lumens in the dissected but with a normal diameter distal aorta need to be perfused at the same time, as practiced in the surgery treatment. In this report, we present a case of endovascular stent repair for a special thoracic aneurysm and chronic type B aortic dissection aligned in tandem.     

Aortic and mitral valve replacement with retrograde perfusion in the beating heart

Objective To estimate the value of aortic valves and combined mitral valve replacement wit h retrograde perfusion in beating hearts.Methods Continuous retrograde coronary sinus perfusion with beating hearts was used in 8 3 patients undergoing aortic valve or aortic valve combined with mitral valve re placement, without application of cardioplegia. After aortic valve replacement, the retrograde perfusion was changed to antegrade perfusion for mitral valve re placement or correction of the other deformities (group A). Cold blood cardiopl egia solution (15℃) was infused at intervals in 20 cases (group B). The follow ing parameters were tested: lactate, ET, CTn-T and MDA in blood; myocardial ult ra-structure; and cardiac rhythm and cardiac output (CO).Results All biochemical values increased after cardiopulmonary bypass (P<0.05-0.01 ). Empty and beating heart sinus rhythm was maintained in group A. Myocardial ultrastructure did not change significantly. The pump was stopped smoothly as t he surgical procedure finished. No postoperative low cardiac output syndrome or arrhythmia was observed. Eight-one patients recovered smoothly, two died from renal failure or infective shock. When the pump stopped, all patients in group B were supported by 5-10 μg·kg(-1)·min(-1) dopamine. Transie nt pacing was used in 9 patients. One patient died from low cardiac output synd rome. Conclusion This method is a good myocardial protection which simulates physiologic status. It is applicable to aortic valve and combined mitral valve replacement of patie nts with large heart or heart failure and long time aortic cross-clamping. Ide al clinical effect can be achieved.     

The clinical study of modified total aortic arch replacement and stent elephant trunk technique treatment for patients with DeBakey Ⅰ thoracic aortic dissection

<正>Objective To summarize the clinical study of modified total aortic arch replacement and stent elephant trunk technique treatment to patients with DeBakey Ⅰ thoracic aortic dissection. Methods From January 2006 to October 2010,101 cases of DeBakeyⅠaortic dissection were treated by modified total arch replacement and stent elephant trunk technique,in which emergencey surgery were performed on 73 cases. There were 76 male and 25 female     

Noninfectious Fever Following Aortic Surgery： Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes

Objective To determine the incidence, course, potential risk factors, and outcomes of noninfectious fever developed in patients after aortic surgery. Methods Patients who received operation for aortic aneurysm or dissection in our center from January 2006 to January 2008 were reviewed. Patients who met one of the following criteria were excluded： having a known source of infection during hospitalization; having a preoperative oral temperature greater than or equal to 38.0℃; undertaking emergency surgery; having incomplete data. Univariate analysis was performed in patients with noninfectious postoperative fever and those without, with respect to demographics, intraoperative data, etc. Risk factors for postoperative fever were considered for the muhivariate logistic regression model if they had a P value less than 0.10 in the univariate analysis. Results Totally 463 patients undergoing aortic surgery were enrolled for full review. Among them, 345 （74.5%） patients had noninfectious postoperative fever, the other 118 （25.5%） patients didn＇t develop postoperative fever. Univariate analysis demonstrated that several risk factors were associated with the development of noninfectious postoperative fever, including weight, surgical procedure, minimum intraoperative bladder temperature, temperature upon intensive care unit （ICU） admission, discharge, and during ICU stay, as well as blood transfusion. In a further multivariate analysis, surgical site of thoracic and thoracoabdominal aorta （odds ratio： 4.861; 95% confidence interval： 3.029-5.801; P=0.004）, lower minimum intraoperative bladder temperature （odds ratio： 1.117; 95% confidence interval： 1.01-1.24; P=0.04）, and higher temperature on admission to the ICU （odds ratio： 2.57; 95% confidence interval： 1.28-5.18; P=0.008） were found to be significant predictors for noninfectious postoperative fever. No difference was found between the febrile and afebrile patients with regard to postoperative hospitalization duration （P=0.558） or total medical costs （P=0.896）. Conclusion Noninfectious postoperative fever following aortic surgery is very common and closely related with perioperative interventions.     

Giant aortic arch aneurysm

To the editor:A 44-year-old man presented to our department with intermittent chest and back pain.He had a past medical history of having undergone aortic valve replacement and ascending aortic aneurysm repair (Bentall) in the same operation 12 years ago.The Bentall operation was performed due to the diagnosis of severe aortic valve regurgitation together with an aneurysm of the ascending aorta measuring 70 mm in diameter.The diameter of the remaining aortic arch had previously been measured as 40 mm at the time.     

主动脉根部替换术231例临床分析

目的 探讨主动脉根部替换术的手术适应证。总结手术技术和经验。方法 自１９９４年１月至１９９９年８月,我院共完成２３１例主动脉根部替换术,其中急诊手术１３例。男１８９例,女４２例。年龄１４～６９岁,瘤体直径５～１１ｃｍ。单纯主动脉根部瘤１４５例,ＤｅＢｃｋｅｙⅠ型主动脉夹层６５例,ＤｅＢｅｋｅｙⅡ型主动脉夹层２１例,手术以复合带瓣人工血管组件替换主动脉根部２２９例,行保留主动脉瓣的主动脉根部替换术２     

血管旁路移植后腔内隔绝术治疗Ⅲ型复杂型主动脉夹层

目的总结联合腔内隔绝术、联合血管旁路移植术治疗Ⅲ型复杂型主动脉夹层的临床经验。方法 2010年12月腔内隔绝术联合血管旁路移植术2例。全组均为男性。年龄51～70岁,平均年龄60.5岁。术前CTA发现1例破口距左锁骨下动脉开口处<15mm,另1例破口在左锁骨下动脉根部。夹层均不同程度逆向剥离延及主动脉弓。手术分期进行先行颈部动脉重建,12h内再行腔内隔绝手术。结果术后患者恢复良好,2周出院。出院前CTA无内漏发生和支架移位。随访2例,随访时间1个月,无特殊不适。结论腔内隔绝术联合血管旁路移植术治疗Ⅲ型复杂型主动脉夹层是一种创伤小、恢复快、疗效好的治疗方法。     

马方综合征主动脉根部瘤手术治疗84例经验

目的探讨马方综合征合并主动脉根部瘤手术时机、手术方法和疗效总结。方法1995年2月至2004年10月手术治疗马方综合征主动脉根部瘤84例,其中主动脉夹层41例(DebakeyⅠ型32例、DebakeyⅡ型9例),根部瘤合并中～重度主动脉瓣关闭不全52例,根部瘤直径平均68mm±14mm;术前心功能(NYHA)Ⅰ～Ⅱ级43例,Ⅲ级30例,Ⅳ级11例。本组施行Bentall手术68例,Wheat手术6例,Cabrol手术5例,主动脉瓣替换加升主动脉成形术5例。其中急诊手术28例,择期手术56例。同期施行二尖瓣成形术3例,二尖瓣替换术3例。结果全组术后死亡3例,病死率3.57%。5例失访,76例随访3～117个月(平均55个月±31个月)。心功能Ⅰ～Ⅱ级74例,Ⅲ级2例。结论Bentall手术是治疗马方综合征根部瘤的首选方法,远期随访效果良好。     

"杂交手术"治疗DeBakey Ⅰ型主动脉夹层

目的总结主动脉夹层患者（DeBakeyⅠ型）行人工血管置换同时远端置入血管内支架（即＂杂交手术＂）的治疗体会。方法4例主动脉夹层患者（（DeBakeyⅠ型）行升主动脉并全弓置换加降主动脉支架置入术（其中1例Bentall术）。术后1月及3月复查胸部螺旋CT,了解升主动脉、主动脉弓人工血管及降主动脉血管内支架情况。结果4例患者均手术成功,无严重并发症,体外循环时间227～331min（平均290min）。升主动脉阻断96～275min（平均209min）,所有患者均顺利出院。术后1月及3月复查胸部大血管螺旋CT示人工血管通畅,血管内支架无内瘘及移位,远端假腔明显缩小。结论对于DeBakeyⅠ型主动脉夹层行动脉瘤切除,人工血管置换（全弓）加远端降主动脉支架置入,是一种安全、有效的手术方法。     

DebakeyⅡ型夹层动脉瘤合并弓降部真性动脉瘤的手术治疗

DebakeyⅡ型夹层动脉瘤合并弓降部真性动脉瘤的病例临床上非常罕见,由于其病变的复杂性,手术治疗的难度和风险都很大。作者成功治疗了一例23岁DebakeyⅡ型夹层动脉瘤合并弓降部巨大真性动脉瘤的病例(6岁时曾因室间隔缺损接受心脏直视手术)。手术方法为"主动脉瓣置换+升主动脉置换+全弓置换术",体外循环采用深低温停循环选择性脑灌注。术后无明显并发症发生,随访半年效果良好。     

难治性主动脉夹层动脉瘤的血管腔内治疗

目的 总结难治性主动脉夹层动脉瘤的血管腔内治疗经验。方法 2001年1月至2004年10月,对68例主动脉夹层和夹层动脉瘤的患者进行血管腔内治疗,其中对13例难治性病例进行临床分析。Stanford A型9例：主动脉夹层撕裂口在升主动脉3例,撕裂口在主动脉弓三大主干区域内3例,撕裂口在主动脉弓下段,累及升主动脉3例。Stanford B型4例。8例有2个以上撕裂口,其中3例术前近段夹层主动脉瘤破裂。13例均行血管腔内带膜支架植入术。2例先开胸行升主动脉与左颈总动脉、左锁骨下动脉旁路术,1例行颈总-颈总动脉旁路术,然后再行血管腔内治疗。Stanford B型多撕裂口主动脉夹层动脉瘤中有3例行多撕裂口一期或二期植入多个带膜支架腔内治疗。结果 全组随访2个月～3年。撕裂口在升主动脉病例中1例术后1个月死于消化道大出血,1例Stanford A型在近段夹层动脉瘤治疗后,因远段动脉瘤破裂,于术后27h死亡。其余11例术后半年复查CT、MR、多普勒超声等均证实原撕裂口封闭良好,假腔内血栓形成,未见新的夹层。结论 血管腔内带膜支架植入是治疗撕裂口位于升主动脉或主动脉弓区域内的难治性主动脉夹层动脉瘤的有效方法,手术成功率高,死亡率低。对于瘤体破裂病例也是可行的。     

单纯主动脉瓣关闭不全合并巨大左心室患者的手术疗效分析

目的 评价单纯主动脉瓣关闭不全合并巨大左心室患者主动脉瓣置换术后的近、中期手术结果.方法 从1999年12月至2006年1月阜外心血管病医院共收治单纯主动脉瓣关闭不全合并巨大左心室患者31例,左心室舒张末径≥80 mm.全部进行主动脉瓣置换,并对患者进行随访,对比术前、术后早期(术后1个月内)、随访超声结果.按照心功能是否正常、左心室舒张末内径的大小进行分组比较术后风险因素.结果 近期死亡1例,随访期间死亡3例.术后早期左心室舒张末内径为(69±11)mm,与术前的(86 ±8)mm相比,有明显回缩(P=0.001),但心功能尚无明显改善.随访期问,无论心射血分数(58 ±15),还是左心室大小[(55±10)mm]均较术前[分别为44±11,(86±8)mm]有明显改善(均P=0.001),趋于正常化.术前心功能状况、左心室大小并未影响手术中期死亡和左心室功能.结论 单纯主动脉瓣关闭不全合并巨大左心室患者仍有手术指征,绝大多数患者可以延长寿命、提高生活质量.     

保留瓣膜的主动脉根部补片成形术的早期疗效观察

目的探讨保留瓣膜的主动脉根部成形术治疗升主动脉瘤和急性主动脉夹层Ⅰ型的近期疗效。方法回顾性分析我院2006年11月～2011年5月行保留主动脉瓣的主动脉根部成形术的20例患者的手术治疗的临床资料。结果 20例患者术后无一例死亡,全部患者随访4～18个月,术后NYHA心功能分级、LVEF、LVEDD、主动脉瓣反流程度均较术前明显改善,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论保留瓣膜的主动脉根部成形术治疗升主动脉瘤和急性主动脉夹层Ⅰ型疗效显著,值得广泛推广和应用。     

Percutaneous aortic valvuloplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the short-term and long-term results of percutaneous aortic valvuloplasty. DESIGN: A retrospective follow-up study. SETTING: The Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory and Cardiovascular Medicine Unit of a teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Eighteen patients with severe aortic stenosis who were not accepted for surgery; there were 11 men and 7 women, mean age 79 +/- 4.5 years. INTERVENTIONS: Percutaneous transluminal aortic valvuloplasty (PTAV) by means of balloon catheter techniques. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient survival and symptomatic status. RESULTS: PTAV resulted in a significant decrease in the aortic valve pressure gradient from 64.8 +/- 23.2 mmHg to 38 +/- 14.7 mmHg (mean +/- SD) (P less than 0.00001) in the 18 patients and a significant increase in the mean aortic valve area from 0.4 +/- 0.16 cm2 to 0.6 +/- 0.18 cm2 (P less than 0.0001) in 14 patients. Complications occurred in seven patients; two of them, who had been in terminal heart failure with a low output state before PTAV, died. Fifteen patients improved in at least one New York Heart Association functional class early after PTAV and one patient had an aortic valve replacement. In follow-up of between 5 and 32 months (mean, 13.3 +/- 7.7 months) six patients are in a better functional class than before PTAV, one patient is in Class IV, one patient had an aortic valve replacement and seven patients died (three died of cardiac failure and four of non-cardiac causes). CONCLUSIONS: PTAV has a place as a palliative procedure in selected patients with aortic stenosis in whom another condition precludes aortic valve replacement.     

深低温停循环主动脉弓部手术

目的 总结深低温停循环主动脉弓部手术的外科治疗经验.方法 对22例原发疾病主要为主动脉夹层动脉瘤和降主动脉瘤累及弓部患者实施深低温停循环主动脉弓部手术治疗,其中8例行升主动脉+部分主动脉弓替换术,1例行主动脉根部替换术+升主动脉+部分主动脉弓替换术,2例行升主动脉替换+全弓替换术,2例行主动脉瓣替换术+升主动脉替换+部分主动脉弓替换术,8例行升主动脉替换+全弓替换术+象鼻技术(支架象鼻6例),1例行主动脉左半弓+降主动脉置换.4例同时行冠状动脉搭桥手术.结果 围手术期死亡3例,病死率13.6%.死亡原因:1例手术前夹层已经破裂,心脏压塞,急性下壁心肌梗死,心脏停跳,复苏同时手术,手术后严重右心衰,手术后16 h死亡;1例手术后出血+多器官功能衰竭,手术后3 d死亡;1例急性主动脉夹层患者未醒并发肺部感染+多器官功能衰竭,手术后39 d死亡.手术后并发症:出血2次开胸3例;延迟苏醒3例;肾功能衰竭2例.结论 主动脉弓部病变需根据手术前不同的原发病和病变累及的范围制定合理的手术方案,包括半弓、全弓和全弓+象鼻手术;深低温停循环结合选择性脑灌注是一种简便易行的脑保护方法 ,有利于降低主动脉弓部手术死亡率和并发症的发生率.