Successful reoperation of a ruptured aortic arch aneurysm in Takayasu arteritis

Successful reoperation of a ruptured aortic arch aneurysm in a patient with Takayasu's disease. Takayasu's disease is an inflammatory arteriopathy that often progresses to stenosis or aneurysms of the large arteries of the aortic arch. In this connection aneurysms of the ascending aorta are rare. We report the case of a 33 years old female with a ruptured aneurysm of the ascending aorta complicated by a former operation of a truncobicarotidal bypass and severe sclerosis. After ascending aorta and aortic arch replacement was performed in deep hypothermia circulatory arrest we could discharge the patient in good condition on the 11. postoperative day.     

Balloon occlusion of the aorta during endovascular repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.

PURPOSE: To describe a technique of aortic clamping during endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and circulatory collapse. TECHNIQUE: A balloon catheter is inserted percutaneously from the femoral artery and inflated in the suprarenal aorta. An introducer sheath must support the balloon. The stent-graft is passed from the contralateral groin and deployed beneath the balloon. The sheath makes it possible to retrieve the balloon after the endograft has been deployed. Carbon dioxide facilitates angiography while the aortic blood flow is arrested. CONCLUSIONS: The aortic stent-graft can be deployed while the aorta is continuously "clamped" from a transfemoral approach. This may allow EVAR in patients with circulatory collapse due to aneurysm rupture.     

Outcome of aortic arch surgery in patients aged 70 years or older: axillary artery cannulation and selective cerebral perfusion supports

OBJECTIVES: Axillary artery cannulation, selective cerebral perfusion and replacement of the ascending and arch aorta with an elephant trunk were evaluated to reduce cerebral complications in aortic arch surgery in patients with aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection involving the aortic arch. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 45 patients(18 with acute A type aortic dissection and 27 with chronic aortic aneurysm involving the aortic arch) aged 70-92 (mean age 74) years underwent total aortic arch replacement from March 1996 to May 2002. There were three operative deaths in patients with acute A type aortic dissection caused by massive cerebral infarction, bleeding and myocardial infarction, and one hospital death of sepsis. Overall in-hospital mortality was 8.9%(16.7% in A type dissection and 3.7% in chronic aneurysm). Operative complications included mediastinitis in four patients(9%), left recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy in eight(18%), and cerebral infarction in four(9%). Three of the patients with cerebral infarction had associated dissection-related cerebral ischemia before surgery. One patient died, and two needed a walking stick. Twelve of 18 patients(67%) with acute A type aortic dissection and 26 of 27 (96%) with chronic aortic aneurysm were discharged on foot. CONCLUSIONS: Axillary artery cannulation, selective cerebral perfusion and replacement of the ascending and arch aorta with an elephant trunk provided satisfactory operative results in elderly patients aged 70 years or older, especially in patients with chronic aortic aneurysm involving the aortic arch.     

大血管外科术后医院获得性肺炎转归的影响因素

目的:观察大管外科术后医院获得性肺炎(HAP)患者的病情变化及结果,分析影响肺炎转归的相关因素。方法:2009年6月至2011年5月,我院大血管术后HAP病例38例。男性26例,女性12例;平均年龄(51.4±11.6)岁。诊断:A型夹层21例;B型夹层5例;主动脉根部瘤+AI 12例。手术类型:升主动脉+全弓+支架象鼻术19例;升主动脉+部分弓2例;胸腹主动脉替换术5例;Bentall术11;Wheats 1例。根据HAP病程的不同分为Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组,比较两组围术期的一般情况、术中指标以及术后并发症等相关评价指标。结果:HAP的发生率为4.4%。肺炎的病程平均为15.4 d(5d～50 d)。机械通气时间>10 d(OR=20.667,P<0.001);低心排出量综合征(低心排)(OR=5.5,P=0.038);急性肾衰竭(OR=4.767,P=0.037);多脏器功能衰竭(OR=1.824,P=0.037)是影响术后HAP转归的相关因素。Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组术后呼吸机辅助时间分别为(182.1±84.5)h和(468.6±144.7)h;ICU停留时间分别为(12.1±5.4)d和(31±15.3)d;死亡病例分别为0例和5例,两组间差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论:术后不良事件或并发症的发生对HAP的转归影响显著,导致感染程度加重、病程延长,影响治疗效果,增加死亡风险。     

Profound hypothermic circulatory arrest in management of aortic aneurysms

A total of 15 patients having aneurysms of aorta were operated from June 1997 to December 1998 using deep hypothermic circulatory arrest as a modality of brain protection. There were 12 males and 3 females. The age ranged from 19 years to 74 years and the mean age was 44.9 years. Nine patients had aneurysms of ascending aorta (group I), one had aneurysm of ascending aorta and arch of aorta (group II), four had aneurysm of the distal aortic arch (group III) and one patient had thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (group IV). In group I, six patients underwent Bentall procedure, two underwent Wheat procedure and one patient had repair of pseudoaneurysm of ascending aorta. The only patient in group II had his ascending aorta and arch replaced, with reimplantation of left common carotid and innominate artery. In group III, three patients had interposition Gelseal graft and one had repair of the tear in distal aortic arch. The lone patient in group IV had interposition Gelseal graft of thoracoabdominal aorta. The hypothermic circulatory arrest was used in all of them for brain and/or spinal cord protection. Retrograde cerebral perfusion was used in two patients. There were two (13%) operative deaths. One patient died of cerebrovascular accident on eighth post-operative day and second died of inadequate surgical repair. There was one instance of left hemiparesis secondary to an infarct in right frontoparietal region. To conclude, hypothermic circulatory arrest could provide an adequate brain protection for aortic aneurysm surgery. Retrograde cerebral perfusion could be an adjuvant when the anticipated time of hypothermic circulatory arrest is likely to exceed 45 minutes.     

Stanford A型主动脉夹层的外科治疗

目的 总结A型主动脉夹层外科治疗经验,探讨治疗A型主动脉夹层安全有效的术式和方法.方法 我院2008年1月至2013年11月对40例A型主动脉夹层患者予以外科治疗.Bentall（带瓣人造血管替代升主动脉根部和主动脉瓣膜,并移植左右冠状动脉）手术17例,其中10例同期行主动脉弓部替换＋降主动脉象鼻支架置入术;单纯升主动脉人工血管置换术8例;窦部成形＋主动脉瓣交界悬吊术6例,窦部替换＋主动脉瓣成形＋升主动脉半弓替换5例;升主动脉人工血管置换术＋主动脉全弓替换4例.采用深低温停循环技术（DHCA）12例,其余为浅中低温体外循环.采用冷血心脏停搏液灌注12例,组氨酸-色氨酸-酮戊二酸（HTK）停搏液灌注7例,冷晶体心脏停搏液21例.采用改良超滤技术19例.结果 手术死亡1例,围术期死亡4例,死亡率12.5％（5/40）,余均痊愈出院.结论 细化A型主动脉夹层的分型有利于制订个体化手术方案.术中止血彻底及心肌、脑保护确切可提高手术成功率.     

不同体外循环方式在主动脉瘤外科手术中的应用

目的：探讨对不同部位、不同病变程度的主动脉瘤的体外循环方式的选择。方法：本组在体外循环下行主动脉瘤外科手术５６例，其中升主动脉瘤３８例，降主动脉瘤１８例。采用低温全身体外循环３１例；左心转流１５例；深低温停循环１０例，其中深低温停循环上腔静脉逆行灌注脑保护方法９例。结果：术中死亡１例，为巨大升主动脉瘤，因吻合口不能控制出血而死亡。术后死亡３例，１例为突发心室颤动，１例为术中大量气体进入主动脉，术后昏迷、肾功能衰竭死亡，第３例为降主动脉瘤术后突发心肌梗死。除１例因动脉插管进入夹层，在开始体外循环时即血压下降、心跳停止，以及术后长时间有神经精神症状外，其余病例均无神经系统并发症。结论：主动脉瘤手术的体外循环方式要根据病变情况决定。     

Rupture of a thoracic aortic aneurysm in a patient with hypertension, myocardial infarction, hyperlipidemia and operation for abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture after follow-up for 28 years

A Japanese man who died at age 86 had been followed since the age of 58, when he presented with hypertension of 150/95 mmHg. The patient remained socially active until he died suddenly of a ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm, although he experienced angina pectoris in August 1974, and myocardial infarction was identified on electrocardiography in October 1974. He underwent operation for rectal cancer in 1987, and an abdominal aortic aneurysm 38mm in diameter was identified at that time. The patient underwent an operation for rupture of the abdominal aortic aneurysm in 1991. A thoracic aneurysm of 40 mm diameter was identified in 1995, and this expanded to 53 mm by 1997. Autopsy revealed a thoracic aortic aneurysm in the arch (8 x 5 x 5 cm) and descending aorta (7 x 7 x 8 cm). A large volume (2,080 ml) of bloody pleural fluid was present     

主动脉瘤的外科治疗

目的总结主动脉瘤的外科治疗、腔内隔绝治疗的经验。方法回顾性分析1992年9月至2005年2月我院收治各类主动脉瘤患者46例的临床资料,男性38例,女性8例;平均年龄51.7岁;升主动脉瘤17例,胸主动脉瘤8例,腹主动脉瘤21例。手术治疗40例,其中Bentall手术10例,同期Bentall联合全弓替换1例,全弓替换2例,单纯升主动脉人工血管替换4例,胸主动脉瘤体切除人工血管置换3例,其中1例同时行双肾动脉搭桥术,胸主动脉瘤人工血管修补2例,1例行包裹术,腹主动脉瘤21例中行腋-股动脉人工血管搭桥2例,“Y”型人工血管置换7例,直型人工血管替换8例。腔内隔绝治疗6例;其中StanfordB型夹层动脉瘤2例,腹主动脉瘤4例。结果手术死亡1例,死亡率为2.5%,腔内隔绝治疗均成功。随访1个月至10年,有10例患者失访,随访期间1例死亡,总死亡率为4.3%。结论外科手术仍然是治疗主动脉瘤的一种十分有效和经济实用的主要方法。     

Anomalous inferior vena cava mimicking aortic dissection on transesophageal echocardiography

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is considered an excellent method for the diagnosis of aortic dissection, especially that involving the descending aorta. It has also proved useful in the evaluation of conditions mimicking aortic dissection, usually disclosing in these situations other types of severe aortic disease. We are not aware of any report dealing with venous abnormalities which presented diagnostic problems in a patient evaluated with TEE because of a suspected aortic dissection. Left ventricular (LV) free wall rupture complicated with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) usually occurs in the early phase of AMI. True aneurysm of the LV is sometimes a complication of AMI but rarely ruptures. In our patient, a 72-year-old woman, the LV free wall ruptured on Day 49 after the onset of AMI and the ruptured site was the thinnest wall of large true aneurysm of the LV. The large aneurysmal formation probably was due to corticosteroids used for pericarditis. More attention should be paid to late cardiac rupture and the use of corticosteroids.     

老年主动脉夹层的外科治疗

目的:探讨老年主动脉夹层的外科治疗策略、疗效及预后。方法:回顾性分析本院外科治疗35例老年主动脉夹层患者的临床资料。患者年龄60～77岁,平均(64.9±4.6)岁;男性28例,女性7例;按Debakey分型,Ⅰ型14例,Ⅱ型1例,Ⅲ型20例。结果:全组死亡3例,死亡率8.6%。行降主动脉腔内修复手术18例,杂交手术(即先行主动脉头臂血管转流术,同期行主动脉夹层腔内覆膜支架置入术)3例,均无死亡。开胸手术14例,包括升主动脉置换术2例(同期行主动脉瓣置换1例),升主动脉+半弓置换5例(同期行主动脉瓣置换2例,冠状动脉旁路移植手术1例),升主动脉置换+支架象鼻术2例,升主动脉+全弓置换+支架象鼻术3例,降主动脉置换术2例,共死亡3例,死亡原因为急性肾功能衰竭、多脏器功能不全、心跳骤停及纵隔感染。结论:老年主动脉夹层病情凶险,外科开胸手术治疗死亡率较高,采取杂交手术及微创腔内修复治疗,效果满意。     

三分支主动脉弓覆膜支架在Stanford A型主动脉夹层手术中的应用

目的总结三分支主动脉弓覆膜支架治疗StanfordA型主动脉夹层的临床经验。方法正中开胸,股动脉、右房插管转流,不游离主动脉弓及头臂血管,鼻温18℃,停循环,于无名动脉近端2cm部分切开升主动脉,直视下置入三分支主动脉弓覆膜支架于主动脉弓和近端降主动脉及三支头臂血管内,行左颈总动脉、右无名动脉气囊导管选择性脑灌注,吻合支架血管近端与升主动脉人工血管,恢复全身灌注。观察并发症及疗效。出院时和3个月复查CT血管造影（CTA）。结果本组无死亡,手术过程顺利,脑及右上肢停循环6-7min,左上肢及降主动脉停循环25-27min,心肌血运阻断时间81-96min,体外循环时间145-190min。术后64排CTA示1例左锁骨下动脉支架外左侧少量血流流向降主动脉,3个月时消失;术后短暂、轻度精神症状1例;二次开胸止血1例,与血管吻合无关。术后1周及3个月CTA示支架血管位置满意,各头臂血管血流通畅。结论三分支主动脉弓覆膜支架术中置人治疗A型主动脉夹层具有操作简单、并发症少、临床效果好等优点,值得临床推广应用。     

主动脉弓置换加"象鼻"支架手术治疗Stanford A型主动脉夹层

目的 探讨采用升主动脉及全弓置换加“象鼻”支架手术治疗StanfordA型主动脉夹层的临床意义。方法2010年5月至2011年10月,应用升主动脉及全弓置换加“象鼻”支架手术治疗StanfordA型主动脉夹层患者16例,男性12例,女性4例,平均年龄47（30-67）岁;其中急性主动脉夹层12例、慢性夹层4例,均在深低温停循环、低流量选择性脑灌注下手术。结果急诊手术12例,择期手术4例。行主动脉弓置换及“象鼻”支架术2例,升主动脉及全主动脉弓置换1例,升主动脉及全主动脉弓置换加“象鼻”支架手术13例,其中同期行Bentall术2例、主动脉根部成形术8例。心肌阻断时间59-137（104-31）min,选择性脑灌注时间17-57（29-11）min。术后肾功能衰竭2例,1例经血液透析治疗后肾功能恢复,另1例因多器官功能衰竭死亡。15例患者出院,随访1个月至1．5年,1例患者于术后约1个月双下肢肌肉坏死,在外院施行了截肢手术,8例患者不同程度恢复工作,无晚期死亡或再次手术病例。结论升主动脉及全弓置换加“象鼻”支架手术是治疗StanfordA型主动脉夹层安全、有效的方法。     

Estenose aórtica grave e choque cardiogénico: um desafio terapêutico

Acute heart failure in patients with severe aortic stenosis and left ventricular systolic dysfunction is well known for its dire prognosis and limited therapeutic options.The authors describe the case of a man admitted for non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Diagnostic exams revealed severe aortic stenosis, with good left ventricular systolic function, and two-vessel coronary artery disease. The development of cardiogenic shock with left ventricular systolic dysfunction on day four led to changes in the therapeutic strategy. Percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty coupled with complete myocardial revascularization was performed with a view to future surgical intervention. After discharge, the patient was readmitted with acute pulmonary edema, cardiogenic shock and cardiopulmonary arrest. Ventilator weaning was not possible due to acute heart failure and so it was decided to administer levosimendan, which resulted in substantial clinical and echocardiographic improvement. The patient subsequently underwent successful aortic valve replacement.This case highlights the challenge that characterizes the management of patients with concomitant coronary artery disease, left ventricular systolic dysfunction and severe aortic stenosis. Percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty and levosimendan were safe and effective in the treatment of acute heart failure, acting as a bridge to surgery.     

Aortic compressor for aortic occlusion in hemorrhagic shock

The aortic compressor is a device that allows rapid, simple, immediately reversible occlusion of the thoracic aorta, without the aortic dissection required to use an aortic cross-clamp. We evaluated the aortic compressor in a controlled study using a canine hemorrhagic shock model. Twelve mongrel dogs were exsanguinated to a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 47 mm Hg and maintained at that level for 20 minutes. At that point, all animals had a left lateral thoracotomy. Six study animals had the thoracic aorta occluded at the diaphragm using the compressor. Five minutes after thoracotomy, with or without occlusion, the shed blood was reinfused. Application of the aortic compressor was the only variable. Use of the aortic compressor led to an immediate and statistically significant doubling of the study animals' MAP. The increased afterload of aortic occlusion did not impair cardiac output. The cardiac index of the study animals rose slightly, while that of the control animals fell. At the same time the compressor prevented blood flow to the abdominal aorta. If the canine model can be extrapolated to human application, then the aortic compressor would be expected to enhance perfusion of the heart and brain during hemorrhagic shock, prevent further arterial blood loss from intra-abdominal injury or ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, and preserve already diminished cardiac output. Because the aorta does not need to be dissected out to use the compressor, there is no risk of injury to nearby vascular structures.     

以胸痛为首发症状的主动脉瘤致急性心肌梗死一例报道

主动脉瘤指各种病因导致主动脉扩张或膨出并达到正常管径的1.5倍以上,多数患者无明显症状,仅少数患者出现不典型症状,极易漏诊。主动脉瘤致急性心肌梗死的症状与左主干病变致急性心肌梗死相似,二者极易混淆。本文报道了1例以胸痛为首发症状的主动脉瘤致急性心肌梗死患者,以期为临床诊疗提供参考。     

Long-term results after primary one-stage repair of transposition of the great arteries and aortic arch obstruction.

OBJECTIVES: The study was designed to evaluate perioperative and late results after primary, single-stage arterial switch operation (ASO) associated with aortic arch obstruction repair. Outcome of patients with more than five years of follow-up were analyzed. BACKGROUND: The treatment of patients with transposition of the great arteries, or other forms of ventriculoarterial discordance suitable for an ASO, with coexisting arch obstruction is a difficult task. Single-stage repair has become the treatment of choice at many institutions, but large series with long-term results are seldom reported. METHODS: Between 1990 and 1998, a primary operation including aortic arch repair through a midline sternotomy was performed in 38 patients. The relief of arch obstruction was accomplished during a period of hypothermic circulatory arrest, employing a wide pericardial patch to enlarge the inner curvature of the entire arch in most patients. RESULTS: There were nine (24%) hospital deaths. None could be directly related to aortic arch repair, but additional risk factors for an ASO were common (right ventricular hypoplasia, complex coronary anatomy, uncommon relationship between the great vessels or severe pulmonary hypertension). There were no late deaths. Four patients required cardiac reoperation, whereas three underwent successful treatment of recurrent coarctation with balloon angioplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Infants with ventriculoarterial discordance and aortic arch obstruction represent a high-risk subgroup of candidates for an ASO. Despite a non-negligible operative mortality, single-stage primary repair represents the treatment of choice, and follow-up of operative survivors is favorable. Pericardial patch enlargement is a reliable technique for arch obstruction repair.     

Serum Cystatin C Level as a Biomarker of Aortic Plaque in Patients with an Aortic Arch Aneurysm

Aim: During surgery for an aortic arch aneurysm, aortic plaque in the descending aorta should be evaluated, but there are currently no suitable biomarkers for it. Surgeons should be especially aware of cerebral embolism from femoral perfusion and of peripheral embolism from stent graft deployment. Cystatin C is a known useful marker of renal dysfunction with a role as a biomarker for severity of coronary artery disease. In the absence of a suitable biomarker for aortic plaque in the descending aorta, we examine cystatin C as a candidate. Methods: In all, 75 patients who underwent surgery for an aortic arch aneurysm were enrolled. They were divided into two groups, depending on whether they had chronic kidney disease or not. The serum cystatin C value and creatinine value were evaluated preoperatively. The aortic plaque volume ratio and components in the descending aorta were calculated from preoperative enhanced computed tomography. Results: The soft plaque volume ratio was higher in patients with chronic kidney disease than in patients without it. Cystatin C positively correlated with the total aortic plaque volume ratio in all cases, and it positively correlated with the soft plaque volume ratio in both groups. Creatinine had no correlation with any type of plaque volume ratio in either group. In patients without chronic kidney disease, the soft plaque volume ratio was higher in patients with higher cystatin C levels than in patients with normal levels. Conclusion: The preoperative serum cystatin C level could be a biomarker of aortic plaque in the descending aorta in patients with an aortic arch aneurysm.     

Aortic valve replacement in patients with aortic stenosis and severe left ventricular dysfunction

BACKGROUND: The outcome of aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis is worse in patients with impaired left ventricular function. Such dysfunction in aortic stenosis may be reversible if caused by afterload mismatch, but not if it is caused by superimposed myocardial infarction. METHODS: From our echocardiography database, 55 patients with severe aortic stenosis (valve area < or =0.75 cm2) and ejection fractions of 30% or lower who subsequently underwent aortic valve replacement were included. The operative mortality and clinical follow-up were detailed. RESULTS: There were 10 perioperative deaths (operative mortality, 18%). Twenty (36%) of the 55 patients had a prior myocardial infarction. In the 35 patients without prior myocardial infarction, there was only 1 death (3%). In contrast, 9 of 20 patients with prior myocardial infarction died (mortality rate, 45%; P< or =.001). The factors significantly associated with perioperative death on univariate analysis (functional class, mean aortic gradient, and prior myocardial infarction) were entered into a model for stepwise logistic regression. This multivariate analysis showed that only prior myocardial infarction was independently associated with perioperative death (odds ratio, 14.9; 95% confidence interval, 2.4-92.1; P = .004). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of aortic valve replacement in patients with severe aortic stenosis and severely reduced left ventricular systolic function is extremely high if the patients have had a prior myocardial infarction. This information should be factored into the risk-benefit analysis that is done preoperatively for these patients, and it may preclude operation for some.     

主动脉弓阻塞合并心脏畸形18例的一期矫治

目的总结一期矫治主动脉弓阻塞合并心脏畸形的诊治经验。方法2005年1月至2006年6月一期矫治18例主动脉弓阻塞合并心脏畸形。其中主动脉弓中断(IAA)6例,主动脉缩窄(COA)12例。手术均为正中开胸低温体外循环下一期畸形矫治术。结果手术采用降主动脉与主动脉弓端端吻合11例,端侧吻合6例,Gore-Tex片加宽弓成形1例。围术期死亡1例,总死亡率5.56%。喉返神经损伤2例,术后左主支气管受压1例。随访1～11个月,1例上下肢压差25mmHg,6例压差小于20mmHg,7例端侧吻合无压差。存活者无症状,生长发育良好。结论正中开胸一期矫治COA及IAA合并心脏畸形可获得满意的近期疗效。手术成功的关键是充分游离降主动脉,尽可能行端侧吻合术。