Branch thoracic stent graft repair for arch aneurysm

Aortic arch aneurysms involving the major vessels of the neck pose great challenges in their repair. Open repair of these aneurysms are associated with a significant morbidity and mortality. The major challenge for endovascular repair of these complex aneurysms is the maintenance of cerebral perfusion during stent implantation and long‐term durability. This paper discusses preoperative planning and technical aspects to successful endovascular repair of a large aortic arch aneurysm involving the distal take‐off of the left subclavian artery.     

Total aortic arch aneurysm repair using a stent graft without cardiac or cerebral ischemia

A 74-year-old man with an aortic arch aneurysm and a chronic type IIIb aortic dissection underwent total aortic arch repair without cerebral or cardiac ischemia. After confirming no atheromatous change in the ascending aortic wall, a custom-designed 4-limbed graft, prepared for both arterial return of cardiopulmonary bypass and reconstruction of the arch vessels, was anastomosed onto the right side of the ascending aorta. The 3 arch vessels were then bypassed sequentially during systemic cooling and monitoring cerebral perfusion with near-infrared oxymetry. After aortic cross-clamping, a stent graft was inserted into the distal arch from the distal ascending aorta, maintaining cerebral and cardiac perfusion. This procedure is indicated especially in a high-risk patient who has an aortic arch aneurysm without severe atheromatous change in the ascending aorta and the arch vessels.     

Successful resection of an aortic arch aneurysm using a temporary trifurcation bypass graft

Resection of a syphilitic aortic arch aneurysm in a 62-yearold woman was accomplished using a trifurcation temporary bypass system. The bifurcation graft was sutured end-to-side to the ascending thoracic aorta, to the brachiocephalic trunk and to the left common carotid artery, respectively. The attached third limb end was anastomosed end-to-side to the infrarenal abdominal aorta. This technique enabled a larger shunt into the abdominal aorta. Occlusion of the iliac arteries proved to be effective in coping with hypotension while attending to the bypass and the volume replacement. The post-operative recovery was uneventful and the patient has remained well after 43 months.     

Jaundice after surgery for an aortic arch aneurysm

A 57-year-old patient who developed hyperbilirubinemia after surgery for an aortic arch aneurysm subsequently suffered pseudomonas sepsis. Low-volume biliary drainage from the common bile duct was colorless. A disturbance in the liver's excretory system caused jaundice. Sepsis and jaundice were resolved when hepatic excretory function recovered.     

Total aortic arch replacement using the J-graft open stent graft for distal aortic arch aneurysm: report from two centres in Japan

Open in a separate window OBJECTIVESThe open-style stent graft technique has been changing the strategy for true distal arch aneurysms extending to the descending aorta. Our mid-term results of surgical repair using a J-graft open stent graft are presented.METHODSBetween May 2015 and June 2020, 69 patients with a distal arch aneurysm (53 males, median age 74 years) underwent total arch replacement combined with J-graft open stent deployment. All 59 surviving patients were followed for a median follow-up period of 1.8 (0.6–3.6) years.RESULTSAntegrade deployment was successfully performed in all patients without any difficulties. The deployed device was securely fixed at the target area, and it initiated thrombus formation. The diameter of the excluded aneurysm was decreased in 54 patients (91.5%) during the follow-up period. There were no type I endoleaks, but there were 3 type II endoleaks; 2 of the 3 type II endoleaks disappeared during the follow-up period. Additional endovascular operations were performed in 3 patients. There were 10 in-hospital deaths (14.5%), and the incidences of stroke, spinal cord injury and distal embolism were 11.6%, 5.8% and 2.9%, respectively. The 1- and 3-year survival rates were 84.8% and 79.4%, respectively, and the 1- and 3-year freedom from reintervention rates were 97.2% and 81.3%, respectively.CONCLUSIONSThe J-graft open stent graft was easy to deploy, and it could shift the distal anastomosis to a more proximal side. The mid-term performance of this device was good. It has the potential to provide one-stage repair.     

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.     

Cardiac tamponade secondary to rupture of a distal aortic arch aneurysm

We report the rare rupture of a distal aortic arch aneurysm protruding into the pericardial cavity. A 70-year-old woman who suddenly lost consciousness and was transferred to our hospital by ambulance in profound shock was found in emergency computed tomography and echocardiography to have a dilated distal aortic arch and massive pericardial effusion. Suspecting that a distal aortic arch aneurysm had ruptured, causing cardiac tamponade, we undertook an operation. We found a defect in the aneurysmal wall leading to the pericardium near the main pulmonary artery that was plugged temporarily with an atheromatous mass. We conducted total arch replacement successfully under selective cerebral perfusion and moderate hypothermia.     

Esophageal perforation of aortic arch aneurysm treated free of mediastinitis without manipulating esophagus

Esophageal perforations of thoracic aortic aneurysms are most likely to be fatal. Patients with aorto-esophageal fistula require urgent operation on both the esophageal perforation site and the aortic lesion to avoid terminal exsanguination and uncontrollable mediastinitis. We present a case of 71-year-old woman suffering esophageal perforation of aortic arch aneurysm with sentinel arterial hemorrhage, who has not developed patent aortoesophageal fistula. Computed tomography verified rupture of aortic arch aneurysm that had eroded the esophagus. She underwent successful graft replacement and remains well without signs of mediastinitis over one year after the event. It is possible, in selected cases of esophageal perforation of thoracic aortic aneurysm, to manage the esophageal lesion without any surgical intervention, such as primary closure, omental coverage and surgical discontinuity to achieve esophageal healing free of infection.     

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.     

Efficacy of a newly modified technique for distal limited open stenting in octogenarians with aortic arch aneurysm

Objective

We assessed the efficacy of distal limited open stenting procedure in octogenarians with distal aortic arch aneurysm.

升主动脉和弓部动脉瘤的外科治疗

目的：总结升主动脉和弓部动脉瘤手术治疗经验，以期进一步提高手术疗效。方法：自2000年7月至2002年5月应用深低温停循环（DHCA）和上腔静脉逆行脑灌注（RCP）技术手术治疗升主动脉和弓部动脉瘤20例，其中急症手术5例。施行全弓置换术2例，全弓置换和象鼻手术3例，半弓置换术15例。同期行Bentall手术8例，升主动脉置换术或同时行主动脉瓣置换术12例，冠状动脉旁路移植术1例。结果：术后早期死亡1例，短时间浅昏迷1例，呼吸功能不全2例，肾功能不全2例，无晚期死亡。结论：DHCA和RCP技术是手术治疗升主动脉和弓部瘤的安全、有效方法，急性A型夹层动脉瘤的手术方式取决于内膜破裂口的位置；正确掌握DHCA和RCP技术，手术方式和手术技术、围术期处理是提高手术疗效的关键因素。     

Total arch replacement using a 4‐branched vascular graft without circulatory arrest

The technical essentials of the procedure include femoral artery cannulation, selective antegrade cerebral perfusion for brain protection, total arch replacement with a 4‐branched vascular graft, implantation of the special open stented graft into the descending aorta, moderate hypothermic balloon occluding descending aorta at 25℃. This technique allows arch reconstruction to be debranched first and upper part of the body is perfused via the 4‐branched vascular graft, ensuring antegrade true lumen cerebral perfusion rapidly secured, the descending aorta is arrested by balloon occluding and early rewarming and reperfusion after distal anastomosis to minimize organs ischemia.     

Extended total arch replacement for type B aortic dissection with ascending aneurysm following healed aortic dissection

We describe a case of type B aortic dissection with large ascending aortic aneurysm occurring 12.8 years after aortic root replacement (Cabrol procedure) in a non-Marfan patient with cystic medial necrosis of the aorta. We have successfully performed an extended total aortic arch replacement using a four-branched graft through the “L-indsion” approach (a combination of a left anterior thoracotomy and upper half median sternotomy). Of note, a histological specimen from the aneurysmal ascending aortic wall revealed “healed aortic dissection” with fibrous tissue replacing the media and intima in addition to multiple foci of cystic medial necrosis.     

Early and midterm outcomes of open stent-graft treatment for distal aortic arch aneurysm

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate early and late outcomes for open stent-graft treatment, which was introduced as a less-invasive technique for thoracic aortic aneurysm of the distal arch, and to clarify the validity of and indications for this treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 38 patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm of the distal arch who underwent open stent-graft placement at our hospital between June 2000 and September 2006. RESULTS: Five patients died in hospital (hospital mortality 13.2%). Age at the time of surgery and onset of postoperative paraplegia were identified as risk factors. Four patients (10.5%) had postoperative paraplegia, but no significant risk factors were seen. The size of the aneurysm was clearly reduced in 18 of the 25 patients (75.8%), in whom computed tomography was performed after discharge, and late outcomes were good. Mural thrombus thickness on the stent landing zone of <4 mm was a predictor for aneurysm shrinkage. Seven patients died during the late period, and the 5-year survival rate among hospital survivors was 80.1%. CONCLUSION: Early outcomes for open stent-graft are not necessarily good, and late survival is also not excellent. Open stent-graft thus cannot be regarded as an ideal technique for all patients with distal aortic arch aneurysm. However, after aneurysm shrinkage was confirmed during the early period, late outcomes were good. Absence of thick mural thrombus on the stent landing zone may represent a good indication for open stentgraft surgery.     

腹主动脉瘤手术的麻醉

腹主动脉瘤(AAA)多发生于55岁以上男性,是一种严重的血管外科疾病。调查显示[1]男性和女性发病率分别为8.9%和2.2%,破裂后死亡率高达50%~80%,手术是惟一有效的治疗手段。由于AAA患者常合并心、脑、肾、肺等多种疾病,加之手术复杂、创伤较大,麻醉风险大,易出现各种意外。1 AAA相     

Repair of a ruptured aortic arch aneurysm complicated by postoperative paraplegia: Report of a case

We report herein the rare case of a 79-year-old man who suffered permanent paraplegia after undergoing an otherwise successful total arch replacement for a ruptured aortic arch aneurysm. During cardiopulmonary bypass, perfusion to the distal aorta was maintained from the femoral artery, and postoperative aortography showed intact tributaries from the aorta including the intercostal arteries. Postoperative paraplegia is an extremely rare complication of operations on the aortic arch; however, we speculate that the paraplegia in this patient could be attributed either to a steal phenomenon involving the radicular artery, or to the anatomical particularity of the spinal cord artery described by Cole and Gutelius as the segmental system.     

Ventriculitis after emergent arch aneurysm surgery

A 72-year-old man was referred to our institution because of an arch aneurysm and acute aortic dissection (thrombosed Stanford type A). Anti-impulse therapy was initiated. He developed a high fever after admission. Blood culture was negative. Five days after admission, he developed back pain. Thoracoabdominal computed tomography revealed a new low-density area from the distal arch to the descending aorta. We performed emergent total arch replacement. Although we discontinued all sedative drugs after surgery, coma continued. Brain magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion-weighted imaging revealed ventriculitis with brain infarction. After antimicrobial therapy was started, his consciousness level improved. Ventriculitis should be suspected when disturbance of consciousness continues longer than we predict after emergent arch aneurysm surgery. Delay in diagnosis can lead to a life-threatening condition.