Two cases of thoracic aneurysm with aberrant origin of the aortic branches: diagnosis and strategy]

We present two cases of thoracic aortic aneurysms with anomalous origin of the aortic arch branches. One was a 72-year-old female with a ruptured descending thoracic aneurysm and aberrant origin of the right subclavian artery. The other was a 64-year-old male with a saccular distal arch aneurysm and aberrant origin of the left vertebral artery. Preoperative examinations included angiography, computed tomography (CT), three dimensional enhanced CT (3DCT), digital subtraction angiography (DSA), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Understanding the structure of neck vessels is important in deciding where to clamp or to reconstruct in surgical repair of the aortic arch. 3DCT was the most useful examination for this understanding.     

经颈动脉腔内技术重建主动脉弓治疗Stanford A型夹层动脉瘤(附1例报告)

目的探讨血管腔内技术重建主动脉弓治疗升主动脉、主动脉弓病变的可行性。方法2005年,对1例StanfordA型夹层动脉瘤,腔内修复主动脉病变之前做右颈总动脉-左颈总动脉-左锁骨下动脉的旁路术;经右颈总动脉将修改的分叉支架型血管主体放入升主动脉,长臂位于无名动脉。短臂应用延长支架型血管延伸至降主动脉。通过腔内技术重建主动脉弓实现累及升主动脉和主动脉弓主动脉病变的微创治疗。结果腔内修复术后移植物形态良好,血流通畅,病变被隔绝,脑、躯干、四肢循环稳定。无严重并发症。结论该手术方案设计合理、技术可行。可能成为复杂胸主动脉病变新的腔内治疗模式。     

Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery Aneurysm

Ten patients with aneurysm of an aberrant right subclavian artery have been previously reported. Dysphagia is not commonly part of the initial symptomatology, and the diagnosis is usually established by chest roentgenogram, esophagogram, and aortography. If operative intervention is planned, adequate preparation for bypass and thoracic aortic grafting should be made since the aneurysm may also involve the descending thoracic aorta at the site of origin of the aberrant subclavian artery.Since both ischemia of the involved arm and the subclavian steal syndrome may occur after division of the origin of the subclavian artery, restoration of arterial flow in the distal subclavian artery is preferred. An additional patient is reported in whom right subclavian-to-carotid artery anastomosis was used after the subclavian artery aneurysm was removed.     

Gleichzeitige Durchführung von Debranching und endovaskulärer Versorgung eines rupturierten Aortenaneurysmas bei aberrierender A. subclavia rechts

A 62-year-old female patient with a known aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) and previous endovascular repair of Stanford type-B aortic dissection presented for follow-up. CT revealed a contained rupture of the proximal descending aorta with a maximum diameter of 80 mm involving the aortic arch and the origin of the ARSA. Combined debranching of the supra-aortic vessels via median sternotomy and endovascular obliteration of the thoracic aortic aneurysm was performed. The aberrant ARSA was ligated. Postoperative imaging showed excellent results without endoleak. The postoperative course confirmed tolerance of ARSA ligation. A hybrid approach to the proximal descending aorta is favorable even in cases of aberrant right subclavian artery. A team approach and appropriate planning is essential for success. The English full-text version is available at SpringerLink (under“Suppplemental”).     

Aberrant right subclavian artery: varied presentations and management options

Although an aberrant right subclavian artery arising from the proximal portion of the descending thoracic aorta is the most common aortic arch anomaly, few patients have clinical symptoms directly attributable to it. When symptoms do occur they are usually causally related to aneurysmal or occlusive sequelae of atherosclerotic disease of the anomalous vessel. More unusual manifestations peculiar to the anomalous artery include aneurysmal degeneration of the origin of the vessel from the aortic arch, with its inherent risk of rupture, or symptoms of compression of the trachea or more commonly the esophagus by the anomalous vessel as it traverses the superior mediastinum. In patients with symptoms a variety of operative approaches and management strategies have been used. Our recent experience with treatment of two patients with clinical symptoms caused by an aberrant right subclavian artery illustrate the varied surgical options and prompted a review of the surgical management of this unusual anomaly.     

Endovascular repair of a right-sided descending thoracic aortic aneurysm with a right-sided aortic arch and aberrant left subclavian artery

Aneurysms involving a right-sided aortic arch and a right-sided descending thoracic aorta with an aberrant origin of the left subclavian artery are rare. We describe the successful surgical repair of this vascular anomaly by the combined use of a left carotid to subclavian artery bypass followed by endovascular stent-graft placement to exclude the aortic aneurysm. We also review the literature associated with this particular anatomic presentation.     

Surgical treatment of right subclavian aneurysm--a case report

A case of arteriosclerotic aneurysm of right subclavian artery is reported. The patient was 74 years old male. A huge arteriosclerotic aneurysm was found at the origin of right subclavian artery. Calcification of thoracic aorta and arch vessels was prominent. Under the temporary bypass between brachiocephalic artery and right common carotid artery, replacement of the aneurysm with 8 mm Dacron graft was successfully performed. To avoid the systemic embolism, partial clamp was applied to intact arteries. As the perfusion of the brain was maintained through the temporary bypass during the reconstruction of right common carotid and subclavian arteries, intracranial complication was prevented.     

RIGHT AORTIC ARCH WITH ABERRANT LEFT SUBCLAVIAN ARTERY: ANEURYSMAL DILATATION CAUSING SYMPTOMATIC COMPRESSION OF THE RIGHT MAIN BRONCHUS IN AN ADULT

A 60 year old woman presented with a cough, nocturnal stridor and dysphagia. Bronchoscopy showed tight compression of the right main bronchus. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and a computed tomographic (CT) scan showed the presence of a right-sided aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery. The distal right arch and proximal right-sided descending thoracic aorta were aneurysmal and were responsible for this compression. Surgical relief was accomplished by dividing the aberrant left subclavian artery and replacing the aneurysm with a vascular graft.     

Surgical Treatment of Recurrence of an Aneurysm of Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery

A bstract A 52-year-old woman underwent incomplete resection of an aneurysm of the aberrant right subclavian artery. Three years later she was hospitalized because of a right superior mediastinal mass on the chest X-ray and a new angiography revealed dilatation of the remaining part of the aberrrant right subclavian artery near its origin and involving the adjacent thoracic aorta and the distal aortic arch. At surgery, a left posterolateral thoracotomy in the fourth intercostal space was performed. Using deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest the aneurysm was excised and the aortic tract adjacent to the aneurysm was replaced with a Dacron prosthesis.     

Kommerell's diverticulum and right-sided aortic arch: a cohort study and review of the literature

We report four consecutive cases of Kommerell's aneurysm of an aberrant left subclavian artery in patients with a right-sided aortic arch and the results of a systematic review of the literature. In our cohort of patients, three had an aneurysm limited to the origin of the aberrant subclavian artery, causing dysphagia and cough, and one had an aneurysm involving also the distal arch and the entire descending thoracic aorta, causing compression of the right main-stem bronchus. A left subclavian-to-carotid transposition was performed in association with the intrathoracic procedure, and a right thoracotomy was used in all patients. One of the patients underwent surgery with deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest, and the others with the adjunct of a left-heart bypass. The repair was accomplished with an interposition graft in two patients and with endoaneurysmorrhaphy in the others. The postoperative course was complicated by respiratory failure and prolonged ventilation in one patient, and one patient died because of severe pulmonary emboli. The survivors are alive and well at a follow-up of 1 to 3 years. Only 32 cases of right-sided aortic arch with an aneurysm of the aberrant subclavian artery have been reported: 12 were associated with aortic dissection, and 2 presented with rupture. Surgical repair was accomplished in 29 patients. A number of operative strategies were described: right thoracotomy, bilateral thoracotomy, left thoracotomy with sternotomy, sternotomy with right thoracotomy, and left thoracotomy. In only 12 cases was the subclavian artery reconstructed. We believe that a right thoracotomy provides good exposure and avoids the morbidity associated with bilateral thoracotomy or sternotomy and thoracotomy. We feel that a left subclavian-to-carotid transposition completed before the thoracic approach revascularizes the subclavian distribution without increasing the complexity of the intrathoracic procedure.     

Endovascular repair of a ruptured thoracic aortic dissection with a right sided aortic arch: A case report

BackgroundEmergency treatment of complex aortic pathology is challenging in the setting of a right-sided aortic arch. We report the successful treatment of a ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) in the setting of a Stanford type B aortic dissection (TBAD) and right-sided aortic arch.Presentation of caseThe patient is a 66-year-old male with chronic kidney disease (CKD) admitted with right sided chest pain and hypotension. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) revealed a 5 cm ruptured TAA in the setting of a TBAD and right-sided aortic arch. The TBAD began just distal to the right common carotid artery and involved the origin of the left subclavian artery (SCA). Using a totally percutaneous approach, a conformable Gore^® TAG^® thoracic endoprosthesis was placed in proximal descending thoracic aorta covering the left SCA. Aside from progression of his pre-existing CKD, the patient had an uneventful recovery. CTA one-month post-procedure revealed a type IB endoleak with degeneration of the distal descending thoracic aorta. To exclude the endoleak, the repair was extended distally using a Medtronic Valiant^® thoracic stent graft. The left subclavian artery was subsequently coil embolized to treat an additional retrograde endoleak. The patient has done well with no further evidence of endoleak or aneurysm expansion.ConclusionRight-sided aortic arch presents challenges in the emergency setting. CTA and post-processing reconstructions are very helpful. While the endoleaks prompted additional interventions, the end result was excellent. This case displays the importance of careful attention to detail and follow-up in these complicated patients.     

Anomalous vertebral artery origins: the first and second reports of two variants

We present two cases of aberrant origins of vertebral arteries. Case 1 is of a patient undergoing evaluation of an infrarenal aortic aneurysm stent graft. Computed tomography (CT) angiogram revealed an aberrant right vertebral artery that subsequently joined a second right vertebral artery that had the typical origin off the right subclavian artery. This represents an unusual anatomic variation not previously reported in the literature. Case 2 is of a patient being evaluated for thoracic aorta injury. CT angiogram of the chest revealed a five-vessel aortic arch with aberrant origin of the bilateral vertebral arteries distal to the left subclavian artery.     

Surgery of the dissecting aneurysm involving a right aortic arch

A dissecting aneurysm in association with a right aortic arch is extremely rare. However, a 50-year-old male was diagnosed as having a dissecting aneurysm (DeBakey IIIa) with a right aortic arch, right descending aorta and an aberrant retro-esophageal left subclavian artery. A graft replacement of the right descending aorta was successfully performed under right thoracotomy and partial cardiopulmonary bypass. Precise anatomical definition and proper surgical procedure permitted a successful surgical result.     

Surgical treatment of aneurysm of right aortic arch with cervical aorta

A patient with a cervical aorta and an aneurysm of a right sided aortic arch was treated without cardiopulmonary bypass by ascending to distal descending aorta bypass grafting, excision of the aneurysm and its transverse connection to the descending aorta and of the cervical segment of the aorta, and connection of the right subclavian artery to the ascending aorta. The clinical result is excellent after 9 years of follow-up.     

Endovascular repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm associated with right-sided aortic arch: report of two cases

Right-sided aortic arch (RAA) is a rare congenital disorder. We describe herein two cases of thoracic aortic aneurysm with a right aortic arch and right-sided descending aorta treated with thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). In one case, a 70-year-old man with Edwards type 1 RAA underwent TEVAR using a Relay stent-graft (Bolton Medical, Barcelona, Spain). In another case, a 72-year-old woman with Edwards type 3 RAA underwent TEVAR using a Kawasumi Najuta stent-graft (Kawasumi Laboratories, Inc., Tokyo, Japan) with the “buffalo horn chimney technique”, our original method for left subclavian artery flow preservation. The postoperative courses were uneventful. Postoperative computed tomography showed complete exclusion of the aneurysm without endoleakage. Compared to conventional open surgical repair, TEVAR is challenging in patients with a RAA and right-sided descending aorta. However, our results showed that TEVAR might be feasible and a treatment option even in a patient with a RAA and right-sided descending aorta.     

Proximal Left Subclavian Artery Aneurysm Presenting Hemoptysis,Hoarseness, and Diplopia: Repair through Partial Cardiopulmonary Bypass and Perfusion of the Left Common Carotid Artery

Isolated true aneurysm of the subclavian artery is rare and can rupture, thrombose, embolize, or cause symptoms by local compression. We describe a case of a 67-year-old man with proximal left subclavian artery aneurysm presenting with hemoptysis, hoarseness, and diplopia. These symptoms suggested that the aneurysm ruptured, that the left recurrent laryngeal nerve was compressed by it, and that its mural thrombus caused cerebral embolism. It was incidentally confirmed that the aneurysm grew at the rate of 1.31 cm/year, from 3.0 to 4.2 cm in diameter for 11 months, preciously measured in a computed tomography scan. The aneurysm was successfully repaired via partial cardiopulmonary bypass and separate perfusion of the left common carotid artery through cross-clamping the descending thoracic aorta and the aortic arch between the origins of the brachiocephalic artery and the left common carotid artery. Neither partial clamping of the aortic arch at the portion branching the left subclavian artery nor taping the aortic arch between the origins of the left common carotid artery and the left subclavian artery could be achieved.     

One stage operation for aneurysm of the diverticulum of the ductus arteriosus and coronary artery bypass grafting

Aneurysm of the diverticulum of the ductus arteriosus in the adult is rare. One stage operation for aneurysm of the diverticulum of the ductus arteriosis and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is reported. A 61-year-old man was admitted for diagnosis of thoracic aneurysm on chest X-ray and CT. Chest CT scan showed an aneurysm above the left main pulmonary artery. An aortography showed the left vertebral artery originated directly from the aortic arch and a saccular aneurysm arising from the aortic isthmus and lesser curvature of the aortic arch. Coronary arteriography showed 75% stenosis at the right coronary artery (seg. #1) and 75% stenosis at the left anterior descending artery. Operation was performed through a median sternotomy. The aneurysm of 6 to 3 cm was located between the aortic isthmus and left pulmonary artery. Ascending aorta and right atrium were used to institute cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). CABG (LITA to #7, SVG to #4 PD) was performed. Arterial cannulation was then switched to the left femoral artery. The proximal aorta was cross-clamped between the left vertebral artery and the left subclavian artery under the partial CPB, and the distal aorta was occluded with a occulusive balloon catheter via the right femoral artery. The selective left axillar artery cannulation was performed to perfuse LITA. The aneurysm was resected and closed with a patch. His post-operative course was uneventful.     

Single-stage repair of interrupted aortic arch with simultaneous coronary artery bypass grafting without cardiopulmonary bypass in an adult

Interrupted aortic arch is a rare congenital cardiac defect. There are extremely few cases in adults that are reported in the pertinent medical literature. However, single-stage repair of interrupted aortic arch combined with coronary artery disease has been rarely reported. We describe the management of interrupted aortic arch associated with coronary artery disease through single-stage surgical procedure without cardiopulmonary bypass in a 56-year-old woman. The vascular prosthesis was anastomosed between the aortic arch just distal to the origin of the left subclavian artery and the descending thoracic aorta. Then a venous bypass was subsequently formed between the left anterior descending coronary artery, the circumflex artery, and the descending aorta.     

One-stage repair with separated cardiopulmonary bypass for coarctation of the aorta with left aortic arch and right thoracic descending aorta

We treated a 7-day-old neonate with aortic coarctation, left aortic arch, right-side descending aorta, aberrant right subclavian artery, and outlet ventricular septal defect. Surgical one-stage repair consisting of coarctation repair by extended direct anastomosis, patch closure of the ventricular septal defect, and translocation of the right subclavian artery was performed under a separated (upper and lower body) perfusion with ascending and thoracic descending aortic cannulation. The postoperative course was complicated with massive chylous effusion, which was successfully treated by thoracic duct ligation.