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.     

Pseudomonas aeruginosa pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Mycotic pseudoaneurysms of the ascending aorta are rare in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery and are usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus. We describe a patient with a mycotic pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta at the proximal vein graft anastomosis site after coronary artery bypass grafting. Cultures from the saphenous vein harvest site and from the aneurysm sac obtained intraoperatively during repair of the pseudoaneurysm grew Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Treatment included femorofemoral bypass and hypothermic circulatory arrest with in situ patch repair. The patient was given ceftazidime and gentamicin intravenously for 2 weeks, then ceftazidime alone for 6 weeks. Thereafter, he began taking ciprofloxacin orally for chronic suppression. He was doing well at 18-month follow-up.     

Large extracranial vertebral aneurysm with absent contralateral vertebral artery

The extracranial segment of the vertebral artery is well protected, and the rate of occurrence of extracranial vertebral aneurysms is very low. We describe the case of a 40-year-old woman who presented with a large aneurysm of the left vertebral artery in the angiographic absence of a right vertebral artery. Her medical history included a motorcycle accident at the age of 20, at which time a neck sprain had been diagnosed. Computed tomography of the chest and neck revealed a 6- x 4-cm aneurysm with mural thrombus in the left thoracic outlet and in the first portion of the left vertebral artery before the entrance of the transverse foramen of the 6th cervical vertebra. Angiography of the arch vessels confirmed both the presence of an aneurysm of the left vertebral artery and the absence of a right vertebral artery. Due to the lack of contralateral vertebral flow, we planned to perform a graft interposition under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, for cerebral protection. Unfortunately, the patient refused the operation and was lost to follow-up. To our knowledge, there has been no previous report of an extracranial vertebral artery aneurysm in the absence of a contralateral vertebral artery. We believe that deep hypothermic circulatory arrest with graft interposition is the best treatment strategy, although we did not, in this case, have opportunity to treat the patient.     

Ruptured mycotic thoracic aortic aneurysm: lobectomy and dacron graft repair

A 57-year-old man presenting with hemoptysis and chest pain was diagnosed to have a Staphylococcus aureus mycotic aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta, which subsequently ruptured into the left lower lobe of the lungs. He underwent successful repair with lung resection and Dacron graft replacement under hypothermic circulatory arrest, followed by long-term antibiotic therapy.     

升主动脉瘤累及右半弓的外科治疗及体外循环探讨

目的:总结升主动脉及右半弓置换术的外科治疗经验,探讨不同体外循环(CPB)方式在术中的应用。方法:28例升主动脉瘤伴右半弓受累的患者行升主动脉及右半弓置换术,其中8例单纯经股动脉与右心房插管建立CPB,在深低温停循环(DHCA)下开放吻合主动脉弓和人工血管远端;15例经右腋动脉或无名动脉及股动脉与右心房插管建立CPB,在中深低温选择性脑灌注(ACP)加全身停循环下开放吻合主动脉弓和人工血管远端;5例经股动脉右心房插管的同时,经腋动脉或无名动脉插管浅低温全流量下行ACP加下半身股动脉逆行灌注,在无名动脉和左颈总动脉之间阻断主动脉弓后吻合主动脉弓和人工血管远端。结果:术后突发大面积心肌梗死造成心源性休克死亡1例。术后偏瘫经CT确诊为脑梗死2例。呼吸功能不全需2次气管插管1例,机械通气辅助24h病情改善后脱离呼吸机。术后出现严重高钠血症需进行血滤1例。2次开胸止血1例。结论:在主动脉右半弓置换术CPB方法的选择上,外科医生和灌注师需根据患者病情、手术熟练程度正确掌握DHCA和ACP技术,选择最佳的灌注方式。     

Recannulation of the right axillary artery for complex aortic surgeries

Owing to the increased use of the axillary artery for arterial inflow during cardiopulmonary bypass, patients with previous cannulation at this site who require reoperation will be encountered more and more frequently. We describe the cases of 2 patients who required recannulation of the axillary artery for complex reoperations of the thoracic aorta. The technique and pitfalls are described. The decision was made to reuse the previous cannulation site at the right axillary artery due to the presence of large pseudoaneurysms in proximity to the sternum. The old 8-mm Dacron stump was found and excised, and a new 8-mm Dacron graft was sutured to the right axillary artery for arterial inflow. In the 1st patient, the Dacron side-graft enabled insertion and subsequent inflation of an EndoClamp within the Dacron graft of the ascending aorta, which obviated profound hypothermia. In the 2nd patient, recannulation of the right axillary artery enabled us to open the sternum at low flow using moderate hypothermia, given that antegrade cerebral perfusion was easily accessible in the event of a more prolonged arrest time. Both patients recovered fully, without neurovascular complications secondary to the recannulation of the right axillary. Recannulation of the right axillary artery is safe during complex reoperation of the thoracic aorta. It avoids retrograde perfusion in the often-diseased descending thoracic aorta. Furthermore, sternal reentry may be performed under moderate hypothermia, because antegrade cerebral perfusion can be initiated with ease.     

Arch-first technique via clamshell incision: successful surgical reoperation for aortic arch dissection

We report a case of successful reoperation for aortic arch dissection with use of the "arch-first" technique in a patient who had Marfan syndrome. Extracorporeal circulation was initiated via right subclavian artery cannulation, and the chest was entered through a clamshell incision for the best exposure. When the patient was cooled to 18 degrees C, the perfusion was stopped. After the 1st aortic arch anastomosis to a 30-mm Dacron graft, cerebral perfusion was reestablished via the right subclavian artery. The aortic repair was then completed. The cerebral ischemic time was 18 minutes, the aortic cross-clamp time was 69 minutes, and the total extracorporeal circulation time was 334 minutes. The patient was discharged from the hospital on postoperative day 10 with no neurologic impairment. The arch-first technique shortens the duration of brain ischemia. When combined with a clamshell incision, the technique is particularly helpful for reoperation of the aortic arch and thoracic aorta.     

Hybrid thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair with simultaneous antegrade visceral revascularization and supra-aortic debranching from the ascending aorta.

PURPOSE: To describe a hybrid technique involving combined antegrade revascularization of both supra-aortic and visceral arteries and complete exclusion of a dissecting thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA). TECHNIQUE: A 46-year-old man had a dissecting TAAA involving the left subclavian artery (LSA) and the descending thoracic and abdominal aorta down to the left common iliac artery. The ascending aorta was the only feasible source of inflow to the cerebral and visceral vessels. Via a median thoracolaparotomy, the supra-aortic and visceral arteries were dissected, and an octopus graft was implanted using 3 bifurcated Dacron grafts. An 18-x9-mm bifurcated Dacron graft was anastomosed in an end-to-side fashion to the ascending aorta, the brachiocephalic trunk, and the left common carotid artery. A 16-x8-mm bifurcated Dacron graft was sutured end-to-side to the celiac artery and superior mesenteric artery. A third 12-x7-mm bifurcated graft was sutured to both renal arteries. In a second step, 3 tapered custom-made thoracic Zenith TX2 endografts were used to repair the thoracic and the thoracoabdominal aorta. A bifurcated Zenith AAA device was used to treat the aneurysm at the level of the infrarenal aorta and both iliac arteries. Despite covering the LSA and all intercostal and lumbar arteries, the patient developed only a temporary paresis of the left leg. Computed tomography showed complete exclusion of the aneurysm and normal flow to the supra-aortic and visceral arteries. CONCLUSION: In selected cases, this hybrid approach using the ascending aorta for antegrade revascularization of cerebral and visceral arteries is feasible, with acceptable perioperative morbidity. However, its role for the treatment of complex thoracoabdominal aortic disease must be evaluated further.     

Brachiocephalic Artery Cannulation in Proximal Aortic Surgery that Requires Circulatory Arrest

The brachiocephalic artery is an alternative cannulation site in the repair of ascending aortic lesions that require circulatory arrest. We evaluate the effectiveness and safety of this technique.Proximal aortic surgery was performed in 32 patients from 2006 through 2012 via brachiocephalic artery cannulation and circulatory arrest. Twenty-four (75%) of the patients were men. The mean age was 48.69 ± 9.43 years (range, 30–68 yr). Twelve had type I dissection, 2 had type II dissection, and 18 had true aneurysms of the ascending aorta. All operations were performed through a median sternotomy. The arterial cannula was inserted through an 8-mm vascular graft anastomosed to the brachiocephalic artery in an end-to-side fashion. In dissections, the distal anastomosis was performed without clamping the aorta. The patients were cooled to 24 °C, and circulatory arrest was established. The brachiocephalic and left carotid arteries were clamped, and antegrade cerebral perfusion was started at a rate of 10 mL/kg/min. Cardiopulmonary bypass was resumed after completion of the distal anastomosis and the initiation of rewarming. The proximal anastomosis was then performed.None of the patients sustained a major neurologic deficit, but 5 patients experienced transient postoperative agitation (<24 hr). There were 2 early deaths (6.25%), on the 3rd and the 11th postoperative days, both unrelated to the cannulation technique.Brachiocephalic artery cannulation through a graft can be a safe and effective technique in proximal aortic surgical procedures that require circulatory arrest.     

Right axillary artery cannulation for surgical management of the hostile ascending aorta

Extensive aortic disease, such as atherosclerosis with aneurysms or dissections that involve the ascending aorta, can complicate the choice of a cannulation site for cardiopulmonary bypass. To date, the standard peripheral arterial cannulation site has been the common femoral artery; however, this approach carries the risk of atheroembolism due to retrograde aortic perfusion, or it is undesirable because of severe iliofemoral disease. Arterial perfusion through the axillary artery provides sufficient antegrade aortic flow, is more likely to perfuse the true lumen in the event of dissection, and is associated with fewer atheroembolic complications. From September 2000 through March 2004, 27 patients underwent right axillary artery cannulation for acute ascending aortic dissection (n = 16), ascending aortic aneurysm (n = 9), or coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 2). Direct artery cannulation was performed in the first 4 patients, and the last 23 patients were cannulated through a longitudinal arteriotomy via an 8-mm woven Dacron graft. Seventeen patients underwent hypothermic circulatory arrest and antegrade cerebral perfusion. Two patients died intraoperatively: one due to low cardiac output and one due to diffuse bleeding. One patient suffered mild right-arm paresthesia postoperatively, but recovered completely. Axillary artery cannulation was successful in all patients; it provided sufficient arterial flow, and there were no intraoperative problems with perfusion. In the presence of extensive aortic or iliofemoral disease, arterial perfusion through the axillary artery is a safe and effective means of providing sufficient arterial inflow during cardiopulmonary bypass. In this regard, it is an excellent alternative to standard femoral artery cannulation.     

主动脉夹层动脉瘤的外科治疗

目的 :总结 1992年 6月至 2 0 0 2年 6月对 2 5例主动脉夹层动脉瘤病人的外科治疗经验。方法 :采用Cabrol手术 10例 ,Bentall手术 7例 ,升主动脉与腹主动脉搭桥转流手术 6例 ,升主动脉与双髂总动脉搭桥转流结合动脉内膜开窗手术 1例 ,升主动脉夹层缝闭加主动脉瓣成形术 1例。结果 :2 4例生存 ,1例Bentall手术左冠状动脉吻合口出血而死亡。结论 :主动脉夹层病人 ,手术中当冠状动脉开口直接缝合于人工血管有困难时 ,采用Cabrol手术 ,使吻合口无张力而且对合严密 ,避免了冠状动脉开口周围内膜撕脱和吻合口漏血。对于DeBakeyⅢ型的病人 ,采用升主动脉与腹主动脉或双髂总动脉搭桥转流术结合动脉内膜开窗术 ,治疗效果满意。对于手术中无法止血的主动脉漏血和左心室漏血 ,采用瘤袋或自体心包包裹漏血区 ,然后与右心房进行搭桥吻合 ,将漏血引入右心房而达到止血目的。     

Long segment coarctation of the thoracic aorta in a young adult. An alternative treatment

To avoid using an interposition Dacron graft in a 17-year-old female for repair of a long segment coarctation of the aorta, the authors combined reconstructing the thoracic aorta using a left subclavian arterial flap, and reimplanting the distal segment of the subclavian artery into the left carotid artery. coarctation repair was done through a left side thoracotomy and the subclavian artery reimplantation via a short vertical cervicotomy. This operation restores a practically normal anatomy without the inconvenience of the long-term hazards due to using prosthetic material.     

Management of intramural hematoma of the ascending aorta and aortic arch: the risks of limited surgery

We present the case of a 57-year-old woman who had an intramural hematoma of the ascending aorta and aortic arch. After initial blood pressure control and imaging studies, the patient underwent limited surgical repair that consisted of ascending aortic replacement. One week postoperatively, the aortic arch hematoma progressed to a full dissection that extended into the proximal descending aorta. Emergent aortic arch replacement was required. Current world medical literature regarding thoracic aortic intramural hematoma is presented. This case supports the treatment of intramural hematomas of the ascending aorta and arch by surgical replacement of both segments with a Dacron graft, with the patient under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.     

Near-fatal hemoptysis and emergency surgical repair after aortic patch-plasty

A 38-year-old man presented with massive hemoptysis followed by hemorrhage shock. The patient's history revealed a Dacron patch repair for aortic coarctation and recoarctation carried out twice, once 23 and once 10 years ago. Diagnosis of a ruptured descending aortic aneurysm with an aortobronchial fistula into the left lower lobe was established using CT scan. Emergency surgery consisted of left pneumonectomy and descending aortic graft replacement during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. The patient was discharged 12 days later.     

Successful urgent endovascular surgery for symptomatic subclavian artery aneurysmal compression of the trachea.

The purpose of this study is to report the progress of a patient who entered the hospital with symptomatic tracheal compression from a large right subclavian artery aneurysm that was treated with a self-expanding stent graft. The patient was at increased risk for traditional surgery, thus endovascular isolation of the aneurysm was felt to be reasonable. A flexible self-expanding stent graft was placed via a brachial artery cutdown and common femoral access without complication. The symptoms improved and the patient remained asymptomatic at 2-year follow-up with serial CT scan confirmation of aneurysm regression. This unusual case illustrates that endovascular decompression of an aneurysm may have some benefit in alleviating subacute symptoms of extrinsic encroachment into other vital structures. Technical and clinical success was achieved with the stent graft deployment and this seems to be a reasonable alternative to surgery in such patients.     

Aneurysm of an aberrant right subclavian artery. Report of a surgically treated case

A 53-year-old man was admitted for treatment of an aberrant right subclavian artery aneurysm that had been diagnosed 5 years earlier and had recently begun to enlarge. The aneurysm, which involved the right subclavian artery from its origin, measured 47 mm in diameter and about 10 cm in length. Because of the lesion's size and friability, a 2-stage operation was performed. In the 1st stage, the right subclavian and right vertebral arteries were revascularized with double bypass grafts via a right cervical approach. In the 2nd stage, the patient was repositioned and a left thoracotomy incision was made. With the aid of left-heart bypass, the aorta was cross-clamped proximal and distal to the lesion, and the aneurysmal orifice was closed with a Dacron patch. The patient was discharged from the hospital on the 17th postoperative day and remains asymptomatic 24 months later. We recommend the 2-stage technique for similar cases because it prevents limb ischemia and reduces the risk of hemorrhagic and embolic complications.     

Primary aortoenteric fistula: Report of two cases

The authors report 2 cases of primary aortoenteric fistula and discuss a number of interesting features demonstrated by them. The first patient, a fifty-six-year-old woman, underwent a right hemicolectomy for carcinoma in 1986 and presented three years later with massive hematemesis and hematochezia. At emergency laparotomy a fistulous communication was found between the fourth portion of the duodenum and the aorta caused by carcinomatous retroperitoneal nodes. A Dacron tube graft was placed in the aorta, and the duodenum was repaired with limited resection and end-to-end anastomosis. The patient recovered well, but she died on the thirtieth postoperative day in profound hypovolemic shock. The second case, a sixty-seven-year-old man, presented with an abdominal pulsatile mass and a forty-eight-hour history of abdominal pain, weakness, and melena. Ultrasonic and computed tomographic examination indicated a small infrarenal aortic aneurysm communicating with the bowel. At laparotomy a fistulus tract was found between the aneurysm and the jejunum. The aneurysm was replaced by a Dacron tube graft and the jejunum was repaired with resection and end-to-end anastomosis. Recovery was uneventful and the patient remains well fifteen months later.     

Endovascular treatment of an internal iliac artery aneurysm using a nitinol vascular occlusion plug.

PURPOSE: To report endovascular occlusion of an internal iliac artery (IIA) aneurysm with an Amplatz nitinol vascular occlusion plug. CASE REPORT: A 71-year-old asymptomatic man who had previously undergone open aortic aneurysm repair presented for annual follow-up. A bifurcated Dacron graft had been inserted 12 years ago from the infrarenal aorta to the left common femoral artery and the right common iliac artery. The left common iliac artery was ligated proximally, and the left external iliac artery (EIA) provided retrograde flow into the IIA. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a 7.4-cm aneurysm of the left IIA. After transfemoral calibrated catheter angiography was performed, the proximal EIA was occluded with an Amplatz nitinol vascular occlusion plug. In addition, microcoils were placed distal to the vascular plug to achieve complete thrombosis of the vessel. One day after treatment, the patient was discharged free of symptoms after MRI had shown complete obliteration of the IIA aneurysm. At 6 months, the patient was free from symptoms, and angiography confirmed exclusion of the IIA aneurysm. CONCLUSIONS: This case illustrates the technical feasibility and successful short-term follow-up of a novel embolization approach to IIA aneurysms in patients with an aortofemoral graft.     

Surgical treatment of aneurysms of the intrathoracic segment of the subclavian artery

From June 1969 to May 1986, 16 patients underwent 17 operations to treat 18 aneurysms of the intrathoracic segment of the subclavian artery. Surgical treatment in 12 cases involved Dacron tube graft replacement; in the remainder, patch graft angioplasty or exclusion with and without extra-anatomic revascularization were utilized. Twelve patients required simultaneous graft replacement of aortic aneurysms. Five procedures were performed through a median sternotomy and 12 through a left posterior lateral thoracotomy. Deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest was used on three occasions. All but one patient were early survivors, and there were no related cerebrovascular accidents. There were five late deaths unrelated to operative treatment. Surgical treatment of aneurysms of the intrathoracic segment of the subclavian artery is both well tolerated and durable.     

Resection of Ascending Aorta Aneurysm in Redo Surgery Through an Anterior Thoracotomy

Abstract Resection of an aneurysm of the distal ascending aorta was performed under hy-pothermic circulatory arrest and retrograde cerebral perfusion though a right anterior thoracotomy. Seven years before, the patient had undergone orthotopic cardiac transplantation and had required pectoral muscle plasty to heal an infectious mediastinitis. This new approach avoided a potentially hazardous sternotomy and allowed successful resection of the aneurysm and reconstruction of a thrombosed innominate vein.