End-to-side anastomosis for coarctation of the aorta and type a aortic arch interruption with hypoplastic aortic arch

Objective: We investigated the advantages of reconstructing the aortic arch in neonates and infants by end-to-side anastomosis (ESA) in aortic coarctation and type A aortic arch interruption. Subjects and Methods: The patients were 28 neonates and infants who underwent median full sternotomy for correction of aortic coarctation (CoA) and type A interrupted aortic arch (IAA), at our institute, from October 1997 to September 2002. The cases were divided into two groups: ESA was performed in 16 cases (group A) and extended end to end anastomosis in 12 cases (group B). All repairs were made using simple clamping of the descending aorta under cardiac arrest. We compared groups A and B with regard to duration of simple clamping, postoperative blood pressure in the upper and lower extremities, echocardiographic pressure gradient, and the presence or absence of tracheal stenosis as diagnosed by postoperative clinical symptoms and chest radiography. Results: No significant difference between the groups was found in age, gender, body weight, or the ratio of CoA to IAA. In addition, there was no defference between the two groups in the duration of simple clamping or the difference in blood pressure between the lower and upper extremities. However, the echocardiographic pressure gradient at the site of anastomosis in group A was significantly lower than that in group B. There were no cases with symptoms of bronchial stenosis in either group. Conclusion: ESA is a relatively simple method for treating CoA or IAA with hypoplastic aortic arch, and was found to be effective for the elimination of residual stenosis.     

经胸骨正中切口一期矫治主动脉缩窄或主动脉弓中断合并心内畸形

目的 总结经胸骨正中切口一期矫治主动脉缩窄或弓中断合并心内畸形的经验.方法 2007年1月-2008年7月手术治疗24例.包括主动脉缩窄9例,主动脉缩窄合并主动脉弓发育不良12例,主动脉弓中断3例.4例合并右室双出口(Traussig-Bing型).22例合并非限制性室间隔缺损,2例不合并室间隔缺损病儿1例合并主动脉瓣下狭窄,另l例合并肺静脉狭窄.主动脉弓降部成形均在深低温低流量持续性选择性脑灌注下进行.3例主动脉弓中断及9例主动脉缩窄病儿采用端端吻合术.12例主动脉缩窄合并主动脉弓发育不良病儿中采用扩大端端吻合术8例,端侧吻合术2例,补片成形术2例.结果 死亡2例.全组病儿围术期未出现神经系统并发症及肾功能损害.术后反复呼吸道感染2例.除l例残存压差大于20mm Hg外,最长随访18个月,尚未发现再缩窄发生.结论 主动脉缩窄或弓中断合并心内畸形一经诊断即需尽早手术.经胸骨正中切口一期矫治是安全、有效的.充分切除动脉导管组织,广泛彻底游离松解胸部各血管进行无张力吻合以及选择恰当的组织一组织吻合术式是主动脉弓降部成形手术成功及减少再缩窄发生的关键.     

Extended direct anastomosis for coarctation of the aorta and interruption of the aortic arch

Between March, 1986 and May, 1988, extended direct anastomosis was performed for coarctation of the aorta (CoA) (5 infants) and interruption of the aortic arch (IAA) (3 infants). The aortic arch was hypoplastic in 3 patients. The incision was made in the inferior aspect of the aortic arch proximal to the origin of the carotid or brachiocephalic artery, which was then anastomosed to the descending aorta. Pulmonary artery banding was placed in 4 patients with associated complex cardiac anomalies. Aortic cross-clamp time was 19-54 minutes (mean 41 minutes). Pressure gradient between upper and lower extremity was 0-10 mmHg (mean 4 mmHg). There were no operative deaths and no neurologic complications. The peak flow velocity at the site of aortic reconstruction measured by Doppler echocardiographic study after surgery was 1.2-2.5 m/sec (mean 1.7 m/sec). This procedure has the advantages of leaving the subclavian artery intact and no aortic shelf tissue. And it can be applied in IAA or CoA with hypoplastic aortic arch.     

Surgical treatment for graft stenosis after repair of an interrupted aortic arch: Report of two cases

We report herein two cases of patients who underwent successful reoperation for graft stenosis after repair of an interrupted aortic arch (IAA). The first patient was a 10-year-old girl who suffered from upper limb hypertension 9 years after her initial operation. Cardiac catheterization revealed a pressure gradient of 55 mmHg across the repaired arch. At reoperation, a left subclavian turndown anastomosis was performed, following which the hypertension resolved and a car-diac catheterization done 5 years later demonstrated sufficient growth of the restored arch with no significant gradient. The second patient was a 17-year-old boy who suffered from general fatigue and intermittent hypertension 12 years after his initial operation. Cardiac catheterization revealed a gradient of 60 mmHg across the repaired arch. He underwent an extraanatomic ascending to descending aortic bypass employing an additional 18-mm graft, and a postoperative cardiac catheterization showed no gradient between the ascending and descending aorta. Our experience has shown that IAA should be repaired without prosthetic grafts if possible. Although extraanatomic bypass is useful for reducing the operative risks at reoperation, a large graft should be used to avoid the need for a third operation. For young children expected to outgrow a second graft, performing an endogenous anastomosis, such as a left subclavian turndown anastomosis, should be considered as an alternative. Received: June 14, 1999 / Accepted: March 24, 2000     

一期手术纠治婴幼儿主动脉缩窄或离断合并心内畸形

目的 总结婴幼儿主动脉缩窄或离断合并心内畸形胸骨正中切口一期纠治的外科治疗策略.方法 2004年5月至2010年3月,采用胸骨正中切口一期纠治主动脉缩窄或离断合并心内畸形患儿52例.其中男性32例,女性20例;年龄25 d～7个月,平均(2.03±0.15)个月;体质量3.5～8.0 kg,平均(3.9±0.5)kg.采用自体心包片修补心内缺损;主动脉缩窄者40例,34例采用端侧吻合或扩大端侧吻合术,3例行纵切横缝术,3例假性主动脉缩窄行导管韧带切断主动脉松解;主动脉离断12例,均采用扩大端侧吻合.结果 所有病例心肺转流时间平均为(98±41)min,术中出血量(78±13)ml.1例主动脉离断合并右心室双出口患儿术后因左侧支气管狭窄,脱离呼吸机困难,于术后43 d死亡.其余病例术后生存良好,随访1～6年,术后再缩窄率为11%.结论 采用胸骨正中一期切口纠治主动脉缩窄或离断近期手术效果显著,可避免二次手术.

Abstract：

Objective To sum up one-stage complete correction of infantile aortic coarctation (CoA) or interrupted aortic arch (IAA) associated with intracardiac anomailes through median sternotomy.Methods The clinical data of 52 infants with CoA or IAA associated with intracardiac anomalies from May 2004 to March 2010 was analyzed. There were 32 male and 20 female, aged from 25 d to 7 months with a mean of (2.03 ±0. 15) months, weighted from 2.5 to 8.0 kg with a mean of (3.9 ±0.5) kg. All of intracardia defect were corrected by self-arcula cordisand. Forty cases with CoA were underwent by operative techniques, including resection with end to side anastomosis, extented end to side anastomosis (n = 34),and vertical incision and cross joint ( n = 3). Three cases of pseudo-CoA were cuted and ductus arterissus or ligamentum arteriosus and dissected aorch. Twelve cases of IAA were underwent by extented end to side anastomosis. Results The time of cardiopulmonary bypass was (98 ± 41 ) min, and all patients hemorrhaged (78 ± 13) ml during operation. One case of IAA associated with double outlet right ventricle died after 43 d post-operation because of left bronchinal stenosis. The other patients were in good condition.The rate of aneurysm formation was 11% in 1 to 6 years' follow-up. Conclusions One-stage complete correction of infantile CoA or IAA associated with intracardiac anomailes through median sternotomy yieldes excellent intermediate surgical results. This operative approach is beneficial, not only with shorten period of therapy and loss operative cost.     

Aortic coarctation with hypoplastic aortic arch. Results of extended end-to-end aortic arch anastomosis

Between 1980 and 1986, 80 infants (less than or equal to 3 months old) with symptomatic aortic coarctation and associated severe tubular hypoplasia of the transverse aortic arch underwent surgical treatment. Extended end-to-end aortic arch anastomosis was used in an attempt to correct both the isthmic stenosis and the hypoplasia of the transverse arch. After complete excision of the coarctation tissue, a long incision was made in the inferior aspect of the aortic arch, which was then anastomosed to the obliquely trimmed distal aorta. Pure coarctation was present in 17 patients (group I); 24 infants had an additional ventricular septal defect (group II), and 39 patients had associated complex heart disease (group III). The overall early mortality rate was 26% (confidence limits 21% to 32%) (18% in group I, 17% in group II, and 36% in group III). The early risk declined with time and was 18% (confidence limits 12% to 26%) for the last 2 years (seven deaths in 39 patients). Follow-up was 100% for a mean of 19 months. Actuarial survival rate at 3 years was 82% for group I, 78% for group II, and 32% for group III. Recurrent coarctation (gradient greater than or equal to 20 mm Hg) occurred in six operative survivors (10%, confidence limits 6% to 16%) and necessitated reoperation in three. Freedom from recoarctation at 4 years was 88%. Because extended end-to-end aortic arch anastomosis provides adequate correction of the aortic obstruction and entails a low risk of restenosis, it is our procedure of choice in infants with coarctation and severe hypoplasia of the aortic arch.     

Growth of the hypoplastic aortic arch after simple coarctation resection and end-to-end anastomosis.

Surgical treatment of a hypoplastic aortic arch associated with an aortic coarctation is controversial. The controversy concerns the claimed need to surgically enlarge the diameter of the hypoplastic arch, in addition to resection and end-to-end anastomosis. The purpose of this prospective study is to determine the fate of the hypoplastic aortic arch after resection of the aortic coarctation and end-to-end anastomosis. Between July 1, 1988, and January 1, 1990, 15 consecutive infants less than 3 months of age with an aortic coarctation were evaluated echocardiographically. A Z-value was calculated, being the number of standard deviations the aortic arch differs from the expected value, derived from a control group. Eight of these 15 infants had a hypoplastic aortic arch with a mean Z-value of -7.14 +/- 1.39. The other seven infants had a "normal" aortic arch with a mean Z-value of -1.85 +/- 1.08. All 15 infants underwent simple coarctation resection and end-to-end anastomosis. Six months after operation the mean Z-value increased significantly in those with a hypoplastic arch to -1.08 +/- 0.69 (p less than 0.0001) and in those with a "normal" aortic arch to 0.106 +/- 0.99 (p = 0.004). No infant died in our series (0%; CL 0% to 12%) and a recoarctation developed once (12.5%; CL 2% to 36%). Therefore we believe that simple resection and end-to-end anastomosis is the operation of choice for aortic coarctation associated with a hypoplastic aortic arch despite the presence of a ventricular septal defect and that enlargement of the hypoplastic aortic arch is not necessary.     

Persistent fifth aortic arch left subclavian aneurysm in an adult

Persistent fifth aortic arch is so rare an anomaly that only seven cases have been reported. We treated an adult with this anomaly in which there was a single lumen aortic arch, single arterial trunk and left subclavian aneurysm. The patient underwent corrective surgery. From an analysis of the eight cases, this anomaly can be divided into two groups, depending on the aortic arch. The first group of six had double lumen aortic arch. All in this group had intra and/or extra cardiac anomalies, and only two with only PDA underwent ligation. The second group of two had a single lumen aortic arch and corrective surgery was done. Thus, those patients with a persistent fifth aortic arch should be classed into the first or second group, according to the angiographical findings.     

Extra-anatomic aortic bypass via sternotomy for complex aortic arch stenosis in children

OBJECTIVE: Recurrent aortic narrowing after repair of aortic coarctation or interrupted aortic arch, as well as diffuse, long-segment aortic hypoplasia, can be difficult to manage. Extra-anatomic ascending aorta-descending aorta bypass grafting through a sternotomy is an alternative approach for this problem. METHODS: Since 1985, 19 patients aged 2 months to 18 years (mean 10.7 years) underwent extra-anatomic bypass with 10- to 30-mm Dacron grafts. The initial diagnosis was coarctation with hypoplastic arch in 15, interrupted aortic arch in 3, and diffuse long-segment aortic hypoplasia in 1. Seventeen of the children had a total of 22 previous operations: transthoracic interposition or bypass graft (n = 7), end-to-end anastomosis (n = 7), subclavian arterioplasty (n = 6), and synthetic patch (n = 2). The mean time from initial repair was 8.0 years (range 0.6-18 years). Three children had previous sternotomies. Cardiopulmonary bypass was avoided in all but 6 patients (5 with simultaneous intracardiac repairs). RESULTS: No hospital or late deaths occurred. On follow-up from 4 months to 14.7 years (mean 7.9 years), no reoperations for recurrent stenosis were performed. Two patients have arm-to-leg pressure gradients: 20 mm Hg at rest in 1 patient and a 60-mm Hg systolic exercise gradient with no resting gradient in the other. One patient required exclusion of an aortic aneurysm at the old coarctation repair site 13 years after extra-anatomic bypass. Three children had subsequent successful cardiac operations. CONCLUSIONS: Extra-anatomic bypass is an effective and relatively easy approach for selected cases of complex or reoperative aortic arch obstruction. It should be considered as an alternative operative technique for complex aortic arch reconstruction.     

Delayed bronchial stenosis after blunt chest trauma with right aortic arch

We report a case of delayed bronchial stenosis after blunt chest trauma with right aortic arch. A 21-year-old male passenger was involved in a traffic accident. He was brought to an emergency hospital with severe chest pain and dyspnea, and diagnosed with multiple rib fractures, right hemopneumothorax and chylothorax. He was treated with chest tube drainage and the symptoms subsided. About 9 weeks later, he complained of exertional dyspnea and was referred to our hospital. Bronchoscopy demonstrated circumferential stenosis of the right main bronchus approximately 1 cm distal to the carina. Thoracic computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed the right aortic arch. Successful resection of the bronchial stenotic lesion was performed followed by end-to-end anastomosis through midsternotomy due to the associated right aortic arch. Postoperative bronchoscopy revealed that the site of the anastomosis was patent and his symptoms were relieved.     

主动脉弓缩窄合并主动脉弓发育不良的外科治疗

目的探讨主动脉弓补片加宽成形术和主动脉弓扩大端侧吻合术治疗主动脉弓缩窄合并主动脉弓发育不良的优缺点,为临床选择更合理的手术方法。方法回顾性分析2008年6月至2013年6月北京安贞医院45例主动脉弓缩窄合并主动脉弓发育不良患者的临床资料,根据手术中处理主动脉弓发育不良的方法不同,将45例患儿分为两组,I组：26例,其中男15例,女11例;年龄0．5～6．8（0．9±2．5）岁;体重5．0～20.3（9．5±7-3）kg;采用主动脉弓补片加宽技术;术前右侧上下肢压差（38-3±15．6）mmHg。Ⅱ组：19例,其中男14例,女5例;年龄0．6～7．5（1．0±2．7）岁;体重5．5～21．5（10．2±6．6）kg;采用扩大端侧吻合技术;术前右侧上下肢压差（40．7±16．1）mmHg。检测两组患儿手术后上下肢压力差的变化,并与手术前进行比较。结果全组共死亡2例（4．4％）,其中l例死于低心排血量综合征,1例死于呼吸道感染。两组患儿均无肾功能衰竭及神经系统并发症。术后下肢收缩压高于上肢10～20mmHg28例,收缩压上、下肢相差小于10mmHg13例,上肢高于下肢20mmHg4例。右侧上下肢压差（3．2±13．5）mmHg,显著低于术前上下肢压差（P〈0．05）。组内比较：两组手术后上下肢压差明显低于术前（P〈0．05）。组间比较：两组之间上下肢压差术前、术后差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。随访38例,随访率88．4％,随访时间3个月至5年。随访期间1例患者出现主动脉弓降部血流速度进行性增快,主动脉弓压力阶差〉40mmHg,电子计算机断层扫描显示：主动脉弓再狭窄,于术后8个月再次行手术治疗;3例患者主动脉弓压力阶差〉20mmHg,仍在继续随访中;其余患者主动脉弓压力阶差均〈20mmHg。结论两种手术方式都是治疗主动脉弓缩窄合并主动脉弓发育不良的理想手术方法,应根据患儿具体病情选择合适的手术方法。     

Staged surgical repair for infants with interrupted aortic arch

BackgroundInterrupted aortic arch (IAA) is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly, which necessitates surgical treatment. There are several surgical strategies for corrective repair of IAA, such as one-stage repair, rapid two-stage repair and two-stage repair. Here, we reported our surgical result of staged-repair policy for the patients with IAA.MethodFrom November 2003 to July 2015, there were 14 patients (8 boys, 6 girls) with IAA treated by us. Except one teenager patient, we routinely used intravenous infusion of prostaglandin E1 for all the infant patients (n = 13) to keep adequate end organ perfusion before the first surgical intervention. Surgical repair was performed after the perfusion of end organs recovered.ResultTwo patients (1 teenager and 1 infant with one-stage surgery) were excluded from this study. At the time of the first surgery, we did the first-stage surgery with anastomosis in between aortic arch and descending aorta, division of patent ductus arteriosus and banding of pulmonary trunk through left thoracotomy. The overall surgical survival rate of the first surgery was 100% (12/12). At the time of the second surgery, corrective repair was done under cardiopulmonary bypass through median sternotomy. The surgical survival rate of the corrective surgery was also 100%. There is no late death during follow-up for 9 years (range 4.2–15.0 years).ConclusionOut of several surgical strategies for the infants with IAA, staged repair still could be a treatment option to achieve satisfied surgical result.     

Mouse model of heterotopic aortic arch transplantation

BACKGROUND: Syngeneic heterotopic transplantation of segments of descending thoracic aortas containing atherosclerotic lesions from hypercholesterolemic mice into normocholesterolemic recipients has been useful for studies on plaque regression and stabilization. Because lesion development is more rapid and exuberant in the aortic arch, a technique of transplantation of the mouse aortic arch was developed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: C57BL/6, apoE-deficient (apoE-/-) (hypercholesterolemic) mice were fed a Western diet for 22 weeks and used as donors of aortic-arch segments containing atherosclerotic lesions. Twenty syngeneic transplants were performed on age-matched wild-type (normocholesterolemic) mice. Aortic arches containing atherosclerotic lesions were implanted on the abdominal aorta of recipient mice by end-to-side microsurgical anastomosis. Two weeks after transplantation, grafts were noninvasively imaged in vivo by magnetic resonance (MR) microscopy. Grafts harvested four weeks after transplantation were submitted for histological examination. RESULTS: All recipients survived the entire follow-up period (1 month) without complications. Duration of recipient procedure ranged from 90 to 120 (mean, 105) min; aortic clamping time varied from 45 to 60 min. In vivo MR microscopy demonstrated patency of the grafts and wall thickening that corresponded to the preexisting atherosclerotic lesions. Histology confirmed patency and atherosclerotic thickening of the grafts, and showed no evidence of acute tissue damage. CONCLUSIONS: Syngeneic transplantation of the aortic arch in mice represents a useful alternative model for studies on morphology, imaging, and mechanisms of atherosclerosis. The curvature of the aortic arch is preserved after implantation onto the abdominal aorta, providing clear landmarks for noninvasive assessment using MR.     

The limiation of staged repair in the surgical management of congenital complex heart anomalies with aortic arch obstruction

Objective: Severe aortic obstruction including an interrupted aortic arch in congenital complex heart anomalies remains a challenge in surgical management.Methods: Treatment and outcomes in 75 consecutive patients who underwent an aortic arch repair as the first step of the staged repair protocol between 1975 and 2000 were reviewed. Their ages at repair ranged from day to 8.5 months.Results: Cross-sectional postoperative follow-up data were available in all the patients. The follow-up period ranged from 0 to 27.6 years (mean 7.3±7.3 years). There were 20 postoperative hospital deaths (27%) and 7 late deaths. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of survival was 81.3%±4.5% at 1 month, 68.0%±5.4% at 1 years, 65.0%±5.5% at 5 years, 63.1%±5.7% at 10 years, 63.1%±5.7% at 20 years. By Cox regression analysis, body weight of 2.5 kg or less is the only independent determinant of postoperative mortality (p=0.04, multivariable odds ratio: 2.50, [95% confidence interval: 1.02–6.1]). The aortic arch morphology, the primary cardiac lesion, or date of operation did not reach a statistically significant level to show correlation with mortality. Reintervention to reconstruct the aortic arch was performed at 9 occasions in 8 of the 55 patients who survived the primary operation (14.5%). The Kaplan-Meier estimate of the reintervention-free rate was 91.3%±4.2% at 5 years, 85.5%±5.6% at 10 years, 75.6%±8.2% at 20 years. Using multivariable Cox regression analysis, interrupted aortic arch (versus aortic coarctation) was the only independent predictor of a shorter time to reintervention (p=0.001, multivariable odds ratio: 16.1, [95% confidence interval: 3.2–80.2].Conclusions: The staged repair protocol was associated with significant limitations in patient survival and with the development of recurrent aortic arch obstruction. Thus, a primary repair protocol may serve as an alternate approach, especially in patients with low weight or with an interrupted aortic arch. Read at the Fifty-fifth Annual Meeting of The Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery, Panel discussion, Fukuoka, October 9–11, 2002.     

Primary repair of aortic arch obstruction with ventricular septal defect in preterm and low birth weight infants

Objective: Previous reports have suggested that prematurity and low birth weight are risk factors for definitive surgical intervention in congenital cardiac malformations. The following data review our experience with primary repair of the complex malformation of aortic arch obstruction with ventricular septal defect (VSD) in this patient population. Methods: Since 1988, 21 consecutive preterm (≤36 weeks) and/or low birth weight (<3000 g) infants with interrupted aortic arch (IAA; n=10), or aortic coarctation (n=11) with VSD, underwent primary arch repair and VSD closure. The mean weight at operation was 2310 g (range, 1200–2900 g), including 12 patients at ≤2500 g. The gestational age ranged from 30 to 41 weeks (mean, 36.4 weeks). Five patients with interrupted arch and two patients with coarctation also had severe subaortic stenosis, which was relieved by transatrial incision of the infundibular septum. Results: The overall hospital mortality was 14% (3/21). Death was related to low cardiac output in association with severe subaortic stenosis (n=2) and sepsis (n=1). Late mortality occurred in three patients, two of which were non-cardiac. The mean follow-up was 33 months. Two patients had significant recurrent arch obstruction, which was successfully relieved by balloon angioplasty and surgical correction in one each. The survival at 30 days, and at 1 and 3 years was 86, 76 and 70%, respectively. Conclusions: Complete primary repair of aortic arch obstruction with VSD can be achieved with good results, even in the preterm and low birth weight infant. Therefore, early surgical repair of this congenital malformation is recommended.     

Extended aortic arch anastomosis for aortic coarctation in neonate and early infancy--experience in 5 patients

The aortic coarctation (CoA) was repaired with extended aortic arch (AA) anastomosis in 5 consecutive patients, 2 in neonate and 3 in infancy, ranging in age from 3 to 106 days. The associated lesions were ventricular septal defect in 2, atrial septal defect in 2 and complete atrioventricular canal in 1. Patent ductus was found in 4 and prostaglandin E1 was required in 2 with response in 1 patient. The AA was hypoplastic in 2 patients with arch to descending aorta diameter ratio below 0.5. The CoA repair was performed as the first procedure in all. The primary anastomosis was possible in all between AA and the descending aorta without undue tension after removal of the all ductus tissue and extensive mobilization of the aorta. Aortic clamp time was 28 minutes in average. The intraoperative pressure gradient after repair across AA was 0 to 10 mmHg (average 4.6 mmHg). All except 1 with preceding hepatic dysfunction tolerated the procedure without complication or operative death. Postoperative evaluation at 1 to 11 months showed no significant pressure gradient between upper and lower extremities. This method appears to be useful for CoA in early infancy particularly when AA is hypoplastic.     

Surgical treatment for cervical aortic arch with aneurysm formation

Cervical aortic arch is an unusual malformation. Cervical aortic arch with aneurysm formation is very rare. We report a case of cervical aortic arch associated with a saccular aneurysm in a 59-year-old Japanese man. The aneurysm protruded caudally and was located between the left common carotid and left subclavian arteries. Cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest was applied as adjunct methods. A Dacron graft was sutured just distal to the left common carotid artery, with the patient in the Trendelenburg position. The proximal site was left open while oxygen-saturated venous blood was supplied in a retrograde manner to perfuse the lower body during occlusion of the descending aorta. Distal anastomosis to the descending aorta was performed during rewarming. The left subclavian artery was reconstructed by using a branch of the graft. This procedure is simple and useful for distal arch operations, especially in patients with Haughton D type aneurysms.     

Surgical treatment for cervical aortic arch with aneurysm formation

Cervical aortic arch is an unusual malformation. Cervical aortic arch with aneurysm formation is very rare. We report a case of cervical aortic arch associated with a saccular aneurysm in a 59-year-old Japanese man. The aneurysm protruded caudally and was located between the left common carotid and left subclavian arteries. Cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest was applied as adjunct methods. A Dacron graft was sutured just distal to the left common carotid artery, with the patient in the Trendelenburg position. The proximal site was left open while oxygen-saturated venous blood was supplied in a retrograde manner to perfuse the lower body during occlusion of the descending aorta. Distal anastomosis to the descending aorta was performed during rewarming. The left subclavian artery was reconstructed by using a branch of the graft. This procedure is simple and useful for distal arch operations, especially in patients with Haughton D type aneurysms.     

Emergency operation for distal aortic arch aneurysm in Behcet’s disease

Arterial complications of Behcet’s disease rarely affect the thoracic aorta, and the incidence of aortic arch aneurysm is especially low. We present a patient who developed a rapidly expanding aneurysm of the distal aortic arch after 20 years of treatment of Behcet’s disease. Emergency total arch replacement was performed with a favorable outcome. Graft anastomosis to the normal aorta involving all three layers, wrapping of the anastomotic sites with wide felt strips, as well as strict management of systemic inflammation are essential for prevention of late complications associated with graft anastomosis sites.     

Direct cannulation of the common carotid artery during the ascending aortic or aortic arch replacement

Objective: To evaluate cerebral perfusion using direct cannulation into the common carotid artery. A new technique is needed to protect brain ischemic injury during ascending aortic or aortic arch replacement. Methods: This technique was evaluated for patients who would have difficulty maintaining adequate cerebral perfusion during surgery. The procedure was performed when patients had the following diagnoses: pseudoaneurysm formation in contact with the sternum with the risk of aneurysmal rupture (n=5), acute aortic dissection with compression of the true lumen of the innominate artery by the pseudolumen (n=3), or a large volume of thrombus in the lumen of the aneurysm with the risk of cerebral thromboembolism if standard extracorporeal circulation was used (n=2). The perfusion catheter was cannulated into one side of the common carotid artery (right side: n=6, left side: n=4) and mean perfusion flow rate was found to be 175 mL/min. The operative procedures consisted of ascending aortic and aortic arch replacement with coronary artery bypass grafting in six patients, ascending aortic replacement in 2 patients, and innominate artery reconstruction/innominate artery and right subclavian artery reconstruction in one patient. Results: No cerebral accidents or deaths occurred while patients were hospitalized. We have followed up patients for a mean of 2.1 years (maximum 3.6 years), with no complications noted from the surgical procedure. Conclusions: Direct cannulation of the common carotid artery is a simple, safe, and acceptable cerebral protection for patients undergoing aortic or aortic arch replacement procedures in the patients with these specific conditions.