Intervention rates and outcomes in medically managed uncomplicated descending thoracic aortic dissections

ObjectiveTo evaluate the long-term incidence and outcome of aortic interventions for medically managed uncomplicated thoracic aortic dissections.MethodsBetween January 2012 and December 2018, 91 patients were discharged home with an uncomplicated, medically treated aortic dissection (involving the descending aorta with or without aortic arch involvement, no ascending involvement). After a median period of 4 (first quartile: 2, third quartile: 11) months, 30 patients (33%) required an aortic intervention. Patient characteristics, radiographic, treatment, and follow-up data were compared for patients with and without aortic interventions. A competing risk regression model was analyzed to identify independent predictors of aortic intervention and to predict the risk for intervention.ResultsPatients who underwent aortic interventions had significantly larger thoracic (P = .041) and abdominal (P = .015) aortic diameters, the dissection was significantly longer (P = .035), there were more communications between both lumina (P = .040), and the first communication was significantly closer to the left subclavian artery (P = .049). A descending thoracic aortic diameter exceeding 45 mm was predictive for an aortic intervention (P = .001; subdistribution hazard ratio: 3.51). The risk for aortic intervention was 27% ± 10% and 36% ± 11% after 1 and 3 years, respectively. Fourteen patients (47%) underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair, 11 patients (37%) thoracic endovascular aortic repair and left carotid to subclavian bypass, 3 patients (10%) total arch replacement with the frozen elephant trunk technique, and 2 patients (7%) thoracoabdominal aortic replacement. We observed no in-hospital mortality.ConclusionsThe need for secondary aortic interventions in patients with initially medically managed, uncomplicated descending aortic dissections is substantial. The full spectrum of aortic treatment options (endovascular, hybrid, conventional open surgical) is required in these patients.     

Computed tomography reference dimensions for identification of stented surgical mitral bioprostheses valve size

BackgroundSelection of the transcatheter heart valve size for a mitral valve-in-valve procedure is based on the type and manufacturer’s labelled size. However, accurate information of surgical heart valve (SHV) size may not be available in the patient’s medical record. The purpose of this study is to establish reference data for computed tomography (CT) dimensions of commonly used mitral SHV in order to determine the manufacturer’s labelled size from a cardiac CT data set.MethodsCT datasets of 105 patients with surgical mitral bioprosthesis and available manufacturer labeled datasets were included in the analysis. CT derived valve dimensions were assessed by two observers using multiplanar reformats aligned with the basal sewing ring. A circular region of interest was used in a standardized fashion to minimize influence of image acquisition and reconstruction parameters. Interobserver variability was assessed by Bland-Altman analysis.ResultsThe CT-derived dimensions were stratified by valve size and type, and SHV properties were demonstrated for 5 common valve types. Variability of measurements was small and inter-observer limits of agreement were narrow. Stratified by SHV type, no overlap was noted for CT-derived dimensions among different SHV sizes . A reference table of CT characteristics of surgical mitral bioprosthesis types was created.ConclusionThe study provides reference CT data for determining the manufacturers’ labeled SHV size across a range of commonly used mitral SHVs. The findings will be important to help identify types of surgical mitral bioprosthesis utilizing CT characteristics for patients without SHV size documentation.     

Redefining “low risk”: Outcomes of surgical aortic valve replacement in low-risk patients in the transcatheter aortic valve replacement era

ObjectivesGuidelines suggest aortic valve replacement (AVR) for low-risk asymptomatic patients. Indications for transcatheter AVR now include low-risk patients, making it imperative to understand state-of-the-art surgical AVR (SAVR) in this population. Therefore, we compared SAVR outcomes in low-risk patients with those expected from Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) models and assessed their intermediate-term survival.MethodsFrom January 2005 to January 2017, 3493 isolated SAVRs were performed in 3474 patients with STS predicted risk of mortality <4%. Observed operative mortality and composite major morbidity or mortality were compared with STS-expected outcomes according to calendar year of surgery. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for these outcomes. Patients were followed for time-related mortality.ResultsWith 15 observed operative deaths (0.43%) compared with 55 expected (1.6%), the observed:expected ratio was 0.27 for mortality (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.14-0.42), stroke 0.65 (95% CI, 0.41-0.89), and reoperation 0.50 (95% CI, 0.42-0.60). Major morbidity or mortality steadily declined, with probabilities of 8.6%, 6.7%, and 5.2% in 2006, 2011, and 2016, respectively, while STS-expected risk remained at approximately 12%. Mitral valve regurgitation, ventricular hypertrophy, pulmonary, renal, and hepatic failure, coronary artery disease, and earlier surgery date were residual risk factors. Survival was 98%, 91%, and 82% at 1, 5, and 9 years, respectively, superior to that predicted for the US age-race-sex–matched population.ConclusionsSTS risk models overestimate contemporary SAVR risk at a high-volume center, supporting efforts to create a more agile quality assessment program. SAVR in low-risk patients provides durable survival benefit, supporting early surgery and providing a benchmark for transcatheter AVR.     

Radiation-Free Thoracic Endovascular Aneurysm Repair with Fiberoptic and Electromagnetic Guidance: A Phantom Study

PurposeTo evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of a radiation-free implantation of a thoracic aortic stent graft employing fiberoptic and electromagnetic tracking in an anthropomorphic phantom.Materials and MethodsAn anthropomorphic phantom was manufactured based on computed tomography (CT) angiography data from a patient. An aortic stent graft application system was equipped with a fiber Bragg gratings and 3 electromagnetic sensors. The stent graft was navigated in the phantom by 3 interventionalists using the tracking data generated by both technologies. One implantation procedure was performed. The technical success of the procedure was evaluated using digital subtraction angiography and CT angiography (before and after the intervention). Tracking accuracy was determined at various anatomical landmarks based on separately acquired fluoroscopic images. The mean/maximum errors were measured for the stent graft application system and the tip/end of the stent graft.ResultsThe procedure resulted in technical success with a mean error below 3 mm for the entire application system and <2 mm for the position of the tip of the stent graft. Navigation/implantation and handling of the device were rated sufficiently accurate and on par with comparable, routinely used stent graft application systems.ConclusionsThe study demonstrates successful stent graft implantation during a thoracic endovascular aortic repair procedure employing advanced guidance techniques and avoiding fluoroscopic imaging. This is an essential step in facilitating the implantation of stent grafts and reducing the health risks associated with ionizing radiation during endovascular procedures.     

主动脉夹层术后患者心理状况及躯体症状对生活质量的影响

目的 探讨主动脉夹层术后患者心理状况、躯体症状对其生活质量的影响及作用机制，为制订干预计划提供参考。方法 采用广泛性焦虑障碍量表、患者健康问卷抑郁量表、躯体症状量表、12项简明健康状况调查表对327例主动脉夹层术后患者进行调查，根据相关性分析结果提出假设，应用AMOS软件进行结构方程模型分析。结果 主动脉夹层术后患者生活质量得分（81.56±7.36）分，焦虑得分2.00(0, 3.00)分，抑郁得分2.00(0, 3.00)分，躯体症状得分5.00(2.00, 8.00)分；焦虑、抑郁、躯体症状对生活质量有直接影响，焦虑、抑郁通过躯体症状对生活质量有间接影响（均P<0.05）。结论 主动脉夹层术后患者生活质量处于中等偏上水平，应早期对主动脉夹层术后患者的心理状况与躯体症状进行动态评估与监测，及时进行心理干预和症状管理，以改善其生活质量。     

The effect of trans arterial chemoembolization in the management of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundA comprehensive re-evaluation on the role of trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.MethodsA thorough database searching was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Eligible studies were restricted to comparative studies between TACE and non-TACE cohorts. RevMan5.3 software and Stata 13.0 software were used for statistical analyses. The primary endpoint of our study was long-term survival.ResultsA total of 11 studies with 2036 patients were finally identified. Pooled results revealed that patients receiving TACE had a significantly better overall survival (OS) versus those without TACE (P < 0.05). Subgroup analyses were performed according to different types of TACE. Prophylactic post-surgical TACE (PPTACE) was associated with a significantly better OS versus those without PPTACE (P < 0.05). Palliative TACE (PTACE) also achieved a significantly better OS compared with those with supportive treatment (ST) only (P < 0.00001). However, TACE had no impact on disease-free survival (P = 0.87) and was less effective than surgical resection (P = 0.003).ConclusionPPTACE has a remarkable impact on OS versus those with surgical resections only and should be regularly performed. Regarding patients with unresectable disease, apart from conventional ST, adjuvant PTACE is also recommended. Upcoming prospective randomized controlled trials are warranted for further validation.     

DCE-MRI诊断原发性肝癌效能和TACE术后评估肿瘤活性应用价值研究*

目的 探讨动态对比增强磁共振成像(DCE-MRI)检查诊断原发性肝癌(PLC)患者的效能及评价疗效的价值。方法 2017年1月～2021年6月我院诊治的肝占位性病变患者68例,均接受DCE-MRI检查,并行穿刺细胞学检查诊断,应用临床流行病学基本技术评估MRI诊断的效能。所有PLC患者接受经皮肝动脉化疗栓塞术(TACE)治疗,术后再次接受MRI检查,评估疗效。结果 DCE-MRI检查显示PLC患者肝内特征性恶性肿瘤表现,T1WI序列为低信号,T2WI序列为高信号,动脉期明显强化,门脉期快速消退,偶见明显的肿瘤包膜;在68例肝占位性病变患者,经穿刺细胞学检查,诊断PLC患者64例,非肿瘤病变4例;DCE-MRI检查诊断的灵敏度、特异度、准确率、阳性和阴性预测值分别为95.2%、75.0%、89.7%、93.8%和25.0%;在TACE术后,MRI检查发现肿瘤被完全灭活18例(28.1%),部分灭活25例(39.1%),肿瘤稳定15例(23.4%),疾病进展6例(9.3%)。结论 DCE-MRI检查在诊断PLC和治疗后疗效判断方面有独特的作用,可指导临床制定治疗方案,价值很大。