Treatment of type‐a aortic dissection using endoprosthesis occurring after coronary artery bypass surgery

Type‐A aortic dissection is a rare and often fatal complication following coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). Corrective surgery seldom improves patient outcome. This report reviews and discusses endoprosthetic correction of type‐A aortic dissection. A case of a transluminal correction of acute type‐A aortic dissection one year after CABG in a 66‐year‐old male with a history of ischemic and severely compromised left ventricular function is presented. A prosthesis originally designed for the abdominal aorta was successfully used. Regular follow‐up was performed and nearly 3 years post prosthesis implantation the patient is stable in New York Heart Association class II. To the authors' knowledge there are no other literature reports of endoprosthetic correction of a type‐A aortic dissection in the context of CABG with saphenous grafts. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Virtual angioscopy assessment for acute type B aortic dissection endovascular repair

Introduction : Virtual angioscopy 3D reconstruction (VA) based on Multidetector computed tomography (m‐CT) can be an important tool in endovascular aortic repair assessment. Here, we present a case of an acute type B aortic dissection, evaluated with preoperative virtual angioscopy 3D reconstruction (VA). Case Report : A 60 years‐old‐man presented with type B acute aortic dissection. Due to renal malperfusion and uncontrolled hypertension TEVAR and renal stenting was performed based on m‐CT and VA images. Discussion : Aortic dissection endovascular repair requires an accurate evaluation based on M‐CT or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). VA is a CT‐based 3D reconstruction that provides a sort of information comparable to intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) that can be very helpful when it is not available and has many other potential applications in vascular surgery. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Transition from classic aortic dissection to aortic intramural hemorrhage--a case report

A 64-year-old man was hospitalized with chief complaints of chest and back pain. A diagnosis of Stanford type A aortic dissection with a false lumen extending from the ascending to the descending aorta was made based on the results of computed tomography (CT). A CT obtained the following day showed resolution of the false lumen and increased brightness of the aortic wall, typical of aortic dissection with intramural hemorrhage. Although previous studies have described a gradual transition from aortic intramural hemorrhage to aortic dissection with a false lumen, there are no reports of the transition from an aortic dissection with a false lumen to the intramural hemorrhage type of aortic dissection. This patient is of interest when considering the pathogenesis of aortic dissection with intramural hemorrhage and the relationship between the intramural hemorrhage and false-lumen types of aortic dissection.     

Pericardial Effusion Masquerading as an Aortic Dissection

A 24‐year‐old woman with a history of recurrent syncope underwent an echocardiogram that was suspicious for an ascending aortic dissection. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed which showed no evidence of aortic dissection. However, it did demonstrate a pericardial effusion that extended to the aortic arch. This case shows how pericardial effusions can simulate the appearance of an aortic dissection because of its extension to the aortic arch. (Echocardiography 2011;28:E16‐E18)     

Iatrogenic dissection of the ascending aorta during TAVI sealed with the corevalve revalving prosthesis

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is rapidly becoming an accepted treatment option for a selected group of high risk or inoperable patients with severe aortic stenosis. However, this procedure is not without complications. We report a case of acute type A aortic dissection due to balloon aortic valvuloplasty during TAVI that was successfully sealed by the CoreValve prosthesis, thus avoiding surgical intervention.© 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

经胸超声心动图对急性Stanford A型主动脉夹层的临床诊断价值

目的探讨经胸超声心动图(TTE)在诊断Stanford A型主动脉夹层中的准确性。方法收集Stanford A型主动脉夹层患者共35例,回顾性分析经胸超声心动图的检查结果;并与增强CT血管造影(CTA)检查结果进行比较。结果 TTE、CTA对Stanford A型主动脉夹层的诊断率分别为91.3%、100%。TTE还能观察主动脉瓣损害、心包积液、心脏功能等情况。结论 TTE是诊断Stanford A型主动脉夹层的可靠方法,为临床急救提供有效依据。     

Retrograde type A dissection after endovascular stent grafting of type B dissection

Acute aortic dissection is a disease with high mortality. Whereas acute dissection of the ascending aorta (Standford type A) is treated surgically, acute dissection of Stanford type B (descending aorta) is principally treated conservatively, but surgically in case of complications. Recently, another therapeutical option for the treatment of type B dissection has been developed using endovascular stent-grafts. We report on a 64-year-old woman with typical signs of acute aortic dissection. Computer tomography and transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated Stanford type B dissection. The patient was treated with an endovascular stent-graft, because of malperfusion of the right leg and chest pain. After successful closure of the entry by the stent, the patient developed acute right-sided hemiplegia one day after the intervention due to retrograde dissection into the aortic arch and ascending aorta. Upon immediate operation, the origin of the initially type B dissection was still sufficiently occluded by the endovascular stent-graft; however, there was another entry between the innominate artery and the left carotic artery near one proximal end of the stent's strut. Using deep hypothermia and selective antegrade cerebral perfusion, the ascending aorta and proximal arch were replaced with a 28 mm Dacron-Velour tube and the aortic root was remodelled with a tongue-shaped Dacron graft preserving the valve cusps according to a modified Yacoub procedure. After the operation, neurological symptoms diminished and the patient could walk on the ward on day eleven. This case demonstrates retrograde type A dissection as a complication after interventional treatment of type B dissection using an endovascular stent-graft. The reason for this delayed complication is speculative. Aortic wall damage during stent inserting could be a possible cause. It is also likely that the patient initially had type B dissection with retrograde dissection of the distal part of the aortic arch. Therefore, one of the straight struts of the proximal end of the stent may have caused additional damage to the vulnerable dissected aortic wall in the arch, leading to retrograde type A dissection. Careful patient selection, detailed diagnosis of the aortic arch, improved stent designs and materials, especially regarding the stent's ends and careful insertion of the stent into the aortic arch, could contribute to prevention of the described problems.     

Atherosclerosis of the aorta in patients with acute thoracic aortic dissection

BACKGROUND: The role of atherosclerosis in thoracic aortic dissection has not been established yet. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is an imaging modality widely used in the diagnostic evaluation of thoracic aortic dissection, and it can detect aortic atherosclerotic plaques and assess their size and specific characteristics. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred consecutive patients with thoracic aortic dissection and adequate imaging of the thoracic aorta by TEE were studied. The type of dissection (proximal or distal) and the presence and the degree of aortic atherosclerosis were defined. Proximal aortic dissection (Stanford type A) was found in 64 patients. Patients with proximal dissection were younger than those with distal (type B; 58+/-13 vs 67+/-11 years, p<0.001). The prevalence of arterial hypertension was higher in patients with distal dissection compared with those with proximal. Aortic atherosclerosis was present in less patients with proximal than with distal dissection (67% vs 94%, p<0.002). Logistic regression analysis revealed that patients with severe atherosclerosis were 7.6-fold more probable to have type B than type A dissection (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Aortic atherosclerosis is more associated with distal than with proximal aortic dissection.     

Complication of hybrid treatment in type B aortic dissection diagnosed by echocardiography

This case illustrates an unusual and fatal complication after endovascular treatment of type B aortic dissection and highlights the role of echocardiography in the early diagnosis of complications. In this case, a patient with previous diagnosis of chronic type B aortic dissection and moderate aortic regurgitation underwent endovascular repair of the proximal descending aorta and conservative surgical correction of the aortic valve. On early postoperative, a transesophageal echocardiogram and aortic angiotomography demonstrated proximal endoleak by contrast extravasation around the proximal graft attachment site, causing compression of the stent in its middle portion, resulting in narrowing with reduced cross‐sectional area.     

Current treatment of acute type A aortic dissection. Surgical treatment and treatment of malperfusion syndrome

Acute type A aortic dissection is a surgical emergency. Treatment is based on dissected ascending aortic replacement and correction of an associated aortic insufficiency. Catheterization of the axillary artery, open distal anastomosis and systematic resection of the intimal tear are the main surgical evolutions of the last years. They allowed to significantly reduce intraoperative mortality rate particularly due to bleeding. Thirty days mortality rate of operated aortic dissection is about 20 to 30%. Visceral malperfusion syndromes induced by aortic dissection represent an important cause of postoperative death. An early diagnosis and treatment appears necessary. Thoracoabdominal CT scan allows understanding mechanisms inducing malperfusion. Aortography and an emergency endovascular procedure allow restoring arterial blood flow before renal or mesenteric irreversible ischemia. Collaboration between radiologist, anesthesiologist and surgeon is necessary to optimize survival of acute type A aortic dissection.     

Pathogenic FBN1 Genetic Variation and Aortic Dissection in Patients With Marfan Syndrome

BackgroundAortic risk has not been evaluated in patients with Marfan syndrome and documented pathogenic variants in the FBN1 gene.ObjectivesThis study sought to describe aortic risk in a population with Marfan syndrome with pathogenic variants in the FBN1 gene as a function of aortic root diameter.MethodsPatients carrying an FBN1 pathogenic variant who visited our reference center at least twice were included, provided they had not undergone aortic surgery or had an aortic dissection before their first visit. Aortic events (aortic surgery or aortic dissection) and deaths were evaluated during the 2 years following each patient visit. The risk was calculated as the number of events divided by the number of years of follow-up.ResultsA total of 954 patients were included (54% women; mean age 23 years). During follow-up (9.1 years), 142 patients underwent prophylactic aortic root surgery, 5 experienced type A aortic dissection, and 12 died (noncardiovascular causes in 3, unknown etiology in 3, post-operative in 6). When aortic root diameter was <50 mm, risk for proven type A dissection (0.4 events/1,000 patient-years) and risk for possible aortic dissection (proven aortic dissection plus death of unknown cause, 0.7 events/1,000 patients-years) remained low in this population that was treated according to guidelines. Three type A aortic dissections occurred in this population during the 8,594 years of follow-up, including 1 in a patient with a tubular aortic diameter of 50 mm, but none in patients with a family history of aortic dissection. The risk for type B aortic dissection in the same population was 0.5 events/1,000 patient-years.ConclusionsIn patients with FBN1 pathogenic variants who receive beta-blocker therapy and who limit strenuous exercise, aortic risk remains low when maximal aortic diameter is <50 mm. The risk of type B aortic dissection is close to the remaining risk of type A aortic dissection in this population, which underlines the global aortic risk.     

Treatment of type A aortic dissection by exclusive gluing. Long-term results apropos of 15 patients

Between 1984 and 1988, 15 patients with a type A aortic dissection were treated with direct suturing of the entry opening of the dissection and gluing of the dissected aortic layers using the GRF glue (gelatine-resorcine-formaldehyde), without prosthetic replacement. An associated aortic insufficiency, in 10 patients, was treated with valve replacement (5 patients) or plasty (5 patients). Deep hypothermia with circulatory arrest were necessary in 10 patients whose dissection reached the ascending aorta. All patients survived the procedure. These patients are followed from 6 to 44 months. They are all controlled by echo-Doppler. In addition, ten had an angiography, 6 a control scan and 5 a NMR. In twelve patients, the ascending aorta as well as the aortic junction are normal. A limited aortic dissection which did not require a secondary procedure, is found in 3 patients. A dissection of the descending aorta is present in 10 patients. Two patients had to be re-operated: one, for a valve replacement, 18 months later; the other, for a myocardiopathy at the terminal stage, 14 months later, requiring an orthotopic transplantation. These results show that gluing of the aorta is an easy and effective treatment in type A aortic dissections.     

99mTc-DTPA核素肾动态显像评价主动脉夹层患者术后肾功能受损研究

目的:应用99mTc-DTPA肾动脉显像评价Stanford不同分型主动脉夹层患者术后左、右侧肾功能及总体肾功能受损程度,帮助临床制定进一步的治疗方案,改善患者预后。方法:回顾性分析2018年3月8日至2019年7月19日,在本院核医学科行99mTc-DTPA肾动态显像的主动脉夹层术后患者48例,评价患者双肾血流灌注、总肾小球滤过率(GFR)和分肾的GFR,比较Stanford主动脉夹层A型(简称A型)患者和主动脉夹层B型(简称B型)患者之间总肾功能及分肾功能,血肌酐、血尿素氮及血尿酸水平的差异。结果:B型患者术后总GFR低于A型患者(67.5 vs.80.6 m L/min,P<0.05),其中以左肾功能受损为著(30.9 vs.40.3 m L/min,P<0.05),差异有统计学意义。结论:肾动态显像对主动脉夹层术后患者早期评价肾功能有重要价值。主动脉夹层B型患者GFR较A型减低,且左侧肾GFR减低更明显,临床可以早期采取干预措施,改善主动脉夹层患者预后。     

Use of real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in type A aortic dissections: Advantages of 3D TEE illustrated in three cases

Stanford type A aortic dissections often present to the hospital requiring emergent surgical intervention. Initial diagnosis is usually made by computed tomography; however transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) can further characterize aortic dissections with specific advantages: It may be performed on an unstable patient, it can be used intra-operatively, and it has the ability to provide continuous real-time information. Three-dimensional (3D) TEE has become more accessible over recent years allowing it to serve as an additional tool in the operating room. We present a case series of three patients presenting with type A aortic dissections and the advantages of intra-operative 3D TEE to diagnose the extent of dissection in each case. Prior case reports have demonstrated the use of 3D TEE in type A aortic dissections to characterize the extent of dissection and involvement of neighboring structures. In our three cases described, 3D TEE provided additional understanding of spatial relationships between the dissection flap and neighboring structures such as the aortic valve and coronary orifices that were not fully appreciated with two-dimensional TEE, which affected surgical decisions in the operating room. This case series demonstrates the utility and benefit of real-time 3D TEE during intra-operative management of a type A aortic dissection.     

Delayed aortic dissection and valve thrombosis after transcatheter aortic valve implantation

We report a case of a 78‐year‐old female who presented with type A aortic dissection 22 months following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). In addition, preoperative echocardiogram showed high gradients across the aortic prosthesis which was found to be thrombosed. At surgery, the intimal tear appeared to be non‐acute and anatomically related to the rim of the valve cage. The thrombosed valve was not replaced and the patient received anticoagulation therapy following surgery with significant improvement in valve gradients.     

急性A型主动脉夹层合并肾脏灌注不良的研究进展

急性A型主动脉夹层起病急,病情凶险,尽管手术技术不断提高,手术并发症及死亡率仍然居高不下。急性A型主动脉夹层常常会累及分支动脉,导致重要的组织器官缺血和功能损害,引起器官灌注不良,其中术前肾脏灌注不良发生率较高,目前很少有研究关注急性A型主动脉夹层合并术前肾脏灌注不良,本文就急性A型主动脉夹层合并术前肾脏灌注不良的发病机制、发病率、危险因素、临床表现、辅助检查、诊断、治疗策略及预后进行综述。     

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.     

Delayed onset of amaurosis fugax in a patient with type A aortic dissection post surgical repair

Stroke is an important complication for the surgical treatment of type A aortic dissection and it occurs immediately post operation. Many surgical techniques such as deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and retrograde cerebral perfusion have been reported to ameliorate this complication. We report here a male Taiwanese patient with type A aortic dissection involving the arch who underwent surgical repair. Amaurosis fugax appeared on the 4th day post operation. Funduscopic findings demonstrated multi focal embolization and carotid sonography revealed normal carotid arteries. The symptoms and signs improved after anticoagulation therapy. This is a rare case of delayed onset of amaurosis fugax in a patient with type A aortic dissection post surgical repair. The thromboemboli might have originated from the internal surface of the sawing area.     

Rapid diagnosis and management of thoracic aortic dissection and intramural haematoma: a prospective study of advantages of multiplane vs. biplane transoesophageal echocardiography.

AIMS: The purposes of this study were to compare the accuracy of multiplane vs. biplane transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in the diagnosis of aortic dissection and aortic intramural haematoma, and to test whether these techniques provide all the diagnostic information required to make management decisions. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty-eight consecutive patients with clinically suspected aortic dissection were studied with multiplane TEE; all cases who required surgery underwent intraoperative monitoring with multiplane TEE. The following multiplane TEE data were analysed: the angle between current and 0 degrees plane at which each view was obtained; the success rate in the evaluation of true and false lumen, entry tear, coronary artery involvement, aortic regurgitation, pericardial effusion. Advantages of multiplane over biplane TEE have been evaluated by the demonstration of usefulness of views obtained in planes other than 0 degrees-20 degrees or 70 degrees-110 degrees, assuming that with manipulation of a biplane probe a 20 degrees arc could be added to the conventional horizontal and vertical planes. On the basis of TEE findings, aortic dissection was confirmed in 36 cases (18 type A, 12 type B, six intramural haematoma). The specificity and sensitivity of TEE in terms of the presence or absence of aortic dissection or intramural haematoma were 100%. An additional clinical value of multiplane over biplane TEE in the evaluation of ascending aorta, aortic arch, entry tears and coronary artery involvement was demonstrated. All cases with type A aortic dissection or intramural haematoma involving the ascending aorta had an operation that was performed immediately after the diagnosis (hospital mortality, 13%). Patients with type B aortic dissection were treated medically; 25% of these cases were operated later (hospital mortality, 0%). CONCLUSIONS: Multiplane and biplane TEE have excellent and similar accuracies in the evaluation of aortic dissection and intramural haematoma. Multiplane TEE improves the visualization of coronary arteries, aortic arch and entry tears; it appears to be an ideal method as the sole diagnostic approach before surgery in type A aortic dissection.     

Aortic dissection--an update

Acute aortic dissection is a medical emergency with high morbidity and mortality requiring emergent diagnosis and therapy. Rapid advances in noninvasive imaging technology have facilitated the early diagnosis of this condition and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any patient with chest, back, or abdominal pain. Emergent surgery is the treatment for patients with type A dissection while optimal medical therapy is appropriate in patients with uncomplicated type B dissection. Adequate beta-blockade is the cornerstone of medical therapy. Patients who survive acute aortic dissection need long-term medical therapy with beta-blockers and statins and appropriate serial imaging follow-up. Future advances in this field include biomarkers in the early diagnosis of acute aortic dissection and presymptomatic diagnosis with genetic screening. Overall patients with aortic dissection are at high risk for an adverse outcome and need to be managed aggressively in hospital and long term with frequent follow-up.