Predictability of aortic dissection as a function of aortic diameter

The role of aortic diameter on the occurrence of type A dissectionwas investigated in 73 patients with dilated ascending aortaat the lime of pre-operative evaluation. Using transthoracicechocardiography for diagnosis and measurements, 54 patientswere identified with type A dissection (group 1) and 19 withoutdissection (group 2). The true mean aortic diameters were identical(6·0±1·3 cm in group 1 and 6·4±1·4cm in group 2; mean±SD; ns) as were the indexed aorticdiameters (ratio of diameter/body surface area; 3·2±0·8cm . m^–12 and 3·4±0·7cm m^–2respectively; ns). However, the individual diameters showeda pronounced scatter in both groups (range from 3·6±11·0cm). Of the 73 patients, 66 had surgery (47/54 with and 19/19without dissection) and seven patients were treated medically.Emergency surgery was performed in 45/66 patients (all withacute type A dissection) andelective repair in 21/66 (19 withoutand two with chronic type A dissection). In-hospital mortalitywas 18% in the emergency group, 5% in the elective group and57% in the medical group. It is concluded that patients with dilated ascending aorta havea substantial incidence of acute dissection. Their clinicalcourse is unpredictable; acute dissection occurs in some, andin others the ascending aorta continues to enlarge without dissection.Because patients with dissection often arrive too late for electiverepair andhave to be operated on as emergencies with a higheroperative risk, we recommend elective surgery before the diameterof the ascending aorta has reached 6 cm.     

Predictability of aortic dissection as a function of aortic diameter

The role of aortic diameter on the occurrence of type A dissectionwas investigated in 73 patients with dilated ascending aortaat the lime of pre-operative evaluation. Using transthoracicechocardiography for diagnosis and measurements, 54 patientswere identified with type A dissection (group 1) and 19 withoutdissection (group 2). The true mean aortic diameters were identical(6·0±1·3 cm in group 1 and 6·4±1·4cm in group 2; mean±SD; ns) as were the indexed aorticdiameters (ratio of diameter/body surface area; 3·2±0·8cm . m^–12 and 3·4±0·7cm m^–2respectively; ns). However, the individual diameters showeda pronounced scatter in both groups (range from 3·6±11·0cm). Of the 73 patients, 66 had surgery (47/54 with and 19/19without dissection) and seven patients were treated medically.Emergency surgery was performed in 45/66 patients (all withacute type A dissection) andelective repair in 21/66 (19 withoutand two with chronic type A dissection). In-hospital mortalitywas 18% in the emergency group, 5% in the elective group and57% in the medical group. It is concluded that patients with dilated ascending aorta havea substantial incidence of acute dissection. Their clinicalcourse is unpredictable; acute dissection occurs in some, andin others the ascending aorta continues to enlarge without dissection.Because patients with dissection often arrive too late for electiverepair andhave to be operated on as emergencies with a higheroperative risk, we recommend elective surgery before the diameterof the ascending aorta has reached 6 cm.     

Predictability of aortic dissection as a function of aortic diameter.

The role of aortic diameter on the occurrence of type A dissection was investigated in 73 patients with dilated ascending aorta at the time of pre-operative evaluation. Using transthoracic echocardiography for diagnosis and measurements, 54 patients were identified with type A dissection (group 1) and 19 without dissection (group 2). The true mean aortic diameters were identical (6.0 +/- 1.3 cm in group 1 and 6.4 +/- 1.4 cm in group 2; mean +/- SD; ns) as were the indexed aortic diameters (ratio of diameter/body surface area; 3.2 +/- 0.8 cm.m-2 and 3.4 +/- 0.7 cm.m-2, respectively; ns). However, the individual diameters showed a pronounced scatter in both groups (range from 3.6 +/- 11.0 cm). Of the 73 patients, 66 had surgery (47/54 with and 19/19 without dissection) and seven patients were treated medically. Emergency surgery was performed in 45/66 patients (all with acute type A dissection) and elective repair in 21/66 (19 without and two with chronic type A dissection). In-hospital mortality was 18% in the emergency group, 5% in the elective group and 57% in the medical group. It is concluded that patients with dilated ascending aorta have a substantial incidence of acute dissection. Their clinical course is unpredictable: acute dissection occurs in some, and in others the ascending aorta continues to enlarge without dissection. Because patients with dissection often arrive too late for elective repair and have to be operated on as emergencies with a higher operative risk, we recommend elective surgery before the diameter of the ascending aorta has reached 6 cm.     

主动脉右弓右降合并Stanford B型主动脉夹层的外科治疗

目的:总结主动脉右弓右降合并Stanford B型主动脉夹层的外科治疗经验。方法:3例右位主动脉弓、右位降主动脉、迷走左锁骨下动脉(迷走左锁骨下动脉型)合并Stanford B型主动脉夹层的患者经胸部右后外切口行胸降主动脉置换术、迷走左锁骨下动脉缝扎术。结果:3例患者均痊愈出院,住院天数7～10 d,无左上肢缺血症状及神经系统并发症。结论:主动脉右弓右降合并Stanford B型主动脉夹层患者行胸降主动脉置换术方法可行,临床疗效满意,术中判断后行迷走左锁骨下动脉缝扎术,可简化手术方式,但应避免术后左上肢缺血坏死。     

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura complicated with acute aortic dissection: A case report

Rationale:Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a critical thrombotic microangiopathy involving multiple organs. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reports of TTP complicated by acute aortic dissection.Patient concerns:We herein described a 53-year-old male with TTP who did not have a significant medical history. After immediate plasma exchange and glucocorticoid therapy, the patient''s clinical condition improved. However, the patient suddenly experienced chest pain with elevated blood pressure.Diagnoses:Computed tomography angiography suggested acute type B aortic dissection.Interventions:The patient was immediately transferred to the cardiac aortic surgery department for thoracic aortic endovascular repair.Outcomes:The patient was discharged after successful thoracic aortic endovascular repair. Unfortunately, 3 months later, the patient experienced chest and back pain at home and died suddenly, possibly due to the recurrence of aortic dissection.Lessons:Even if patients have no identifiable risk factors, physicians should be aware of this rare and life-threatening acute complication of TTP, which may have multiple causes, including preexisting connective tissue disease, abnormal blood pressure fluctuations, and increased risk of hemorrhage. Early identification and timely treatment of acute aortic dissection are critical for improving prognosis.     

保留主动脉瓣的根部修复技术在Stanford A型主动脉夹层的应用

目的评价保留主动脉瓣的主动脉瓣根部修复技术在StanfordA型主动脉夹层中的应用效果。方法回顾性分析本中心2001年1月至2011年6月间采取保留主动脉瓣的主动脉瓣根部修复技术治疗83例StanfordA型主动脉夹层患者的临床资料,男性63例,女性20例,年龄22-71（47．4±10．9）岁。采取封闭主动脉根部夹层、主动脉瓣交界悬吊加固并于窦管交界上方置换升主动脉的主动脉根部重建术74例,David手术9例。结果全组住院期间死亡7例（8．4％）。随访71例,平均随访（3．4±1．5）年,心功能恢复良好,NYHA分级I级66例、Ⅱ级5例;主动脉瓣轻度反流6例,中度反流2例;无因主动脉根部病变而需再次手术治疗者。结论结合StanfordA型主动脉夹层根部病变的特点,采取保留主动脉瓣的主动脉根部修复技术可取得良好的手术效果。     

Retrograde aortic dissection during cardiopulmonary bypass

Femoral artery perfusion for cardiopulmonary bypass is still employed for reoperation, procedures involving the thoracic aorta, and partial bypass in critical patients. Retrograde aortic dissection is the most significant complication of femoral perfusion. The reported incidence is from 0.6% to 14% with a mortality of 66%. Most of the deaths occurred in patients in whom the dissection was not recognized, or in whom the dissection was recognized but not treated appropriately. Our experience with retrograde dissection totals six patients of 640 (0.9%) in whom femoral inflow was used. Four of the six patients survived the dissection. Sudden increase in extracorporeal line pressure shortly after beginning cardiopulmonary bypass associated with decreased venous return, dampened radial arterial pressure, and the abrupt appearance of a bluish, bulging ascending aorta establishes the diagnosis. Survival is enhanced if cardiopulmonary bypass is promptly discontinued, aortic cannulation established, and bypass reinstituted with the induction of profound hypothermia. Circulatory arrest may then be employed to repair the false passage. In this series the proposed operation was completed in all six patients.     

Ulcer-like projections into the dilated false lumen after stent-graft placement for aortic dissection: A case report

Rationale:Acute type A aortic dissection and chronic type B aortic dissection (TBAD) occurs simultaneously in rare cases. Although the development of ulcer-like projection (ULP) is associated with an increase in adverse aorta-related events, the false-lumen enlargement caused by the ULP progression is uncommon.Patient concerns:A 72-year-old female with chronic TBAD was admitted to our unit with back and chest pain. Computed tomography revealed acute type A aortic dissection and a hematoma caused by rupturing of the descending aorta due to chronic TBAD. After endovascular intervention, the false lumen thrombosed and shrunk.Diagnosis:After 9 months, a developing ULP, which projected into a dilating false lumen, was found. An impending ruptured descending aortic aneurysm was confirmed.Interventions:Emergency Total arch replacement and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) was performed.Outcomes:The procedure was successful. One year later, regular follow-up showed that the false lumen had completely shrunk.Lessons:ULP can arise and cause progressive dilation of false lumen after TEVAR. Careful and regular computed tomography examinations are required for early diagnosis of false lumen becoming thrombosed after TEVAR. Close follow-up and timely intervention, including TEVAR, should be considered in cases of aortic enlargement due to a newly developed ULP.     

主动脉夹层覆膜支架置入术围手术期的护理特点

主动脉夹层是指主动脉内膜破裂,血液从内膜破裂处进入主动脉中膜,使中膜分离,并沿主动脉长轴方向扩展,形成血肿。此病来势凶猛,死亡率极高。我科对主动脉夹层B型经术前合理药物治疗控制后,采取了覆膜支架置入术方法进行及时有效的治疗。现结合临床资料及护理体会报道如下。     

Different clinical features of aortic intramural hematoma versus dissection involving the descending thoracic aorta

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to test the hypothesis that the absence of flow communication in aortic intramural hematoma (IMH) involving the descending aorta may have a different clinical course compared with aortic dissection (AD). METHODS: We prospectively evaluated clinical and echocardiographic data in AD (76 patients) and IMH (27 patients) of the descending thoracic aorta. RESULTS: Patients did not differ with regard to age, gender, or clinical presentation. IMH and AD had the same predictors of complications at follow-up: aortic diameter (>5 cm) at diagnosis and persistent back pain. Surgical treatment was more frequently selected in AD (39% vs. 22%, P < 0.01) and AD patients who underwent surgical treatment had higher mortality than those with IMH (36% vs. 17%, P < 0.01). There was no difference in mortality with medical treatment (14% in AD vs. 19% in IMH, P = 0.7). During follow-up, of 23 patients with IMH, 11 (47%) showed complete resolution or regression, 6 (26%) increased the diameter of the descending aorta, and typical AD developed in 3 patients (13%). No changes occurred in 14% of the group. Three-year survival rate did not show significant differences between both groups (82 +/- 6% in IMH vs. 75 +/- 7% in AD, P = 0.37). CONCLUSION: IMH of the descending thoracic aorta has a relatively frequent rate of complications at follow-up, including dissection and aneurysm formation. Medical treatment with very frequent imaging and timed elective surgery in cases with complications allows a better patient management.     

Association of dissected ascending aorta diameter with preoperative adverse events in patients with acute type A aortic dissection

BACKGROUNDAcute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) is a life-threatening disease associated with high morbidity and mortality. AIMTo evaluate the diameter of dissected ascending aorta in patients diagnosed with ATAAD and whether the aortic diameter is associated with preoperative adverse events. METHODSA total of 108 patients diagnosed with ATAAD who underwent emergency operation under hypothermic circulatory arrest were enrolled in this study. Demographic characteristics and perioperative data were recorded. In all patients, preoperative chest and abdomen computed tomography (CT) scans were performed. RESULTSMedian age of the patients was 61.5 (52.5-70.5) years and median body mass index (BMI) was 28.2 (25.1-32.6) cm². The number of female patients was 37 (25%). Median diameter of the ascending aorta was 5.0 (4.5-6) cm and 53.8% of the patients had an aortic diameter < 5.0 cm, while 32.3% of the patients had an aortic diameter of 4.5cm and 72.0% had an ascending aorta diameter < 5.5 cm. The diameter of the ascending aorta did not differ in patients with vs without preoperative adverse events: Preoperative neurological dysfunction (P = 0.53) and hemodynamic instability (P = 0.43). Median age of patients with preoperative hemodynamic instability was 65 (57.5-74) years, while it was 60 (51-68) years in patients without (P = 0.04)CONCLUSIONAlthough current guidelines suggest replacing the ascending aorta with a diameter > 5.5 cm, most of the patients with ATAAD had an aortic diameter of less than 5.5 cm. The diameter of the ascending aorta in patients diagnose with ATAAD is not associated with preoperative adverse events.     

Metabolomic analysis reveals the metabolic disturbance in aortic dissection: Subtype difference and accurate diagnosis

Background and aimsAortic dissection (AD), a severe clinical emergency with high mortality, is easily misdiagnosed as are other cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed at discovering plasma metabolic markers with the potential to diagnose AD and clarifying the metabolic differences between two subtypes of AD.Methods and resultsTo facilitate the diagnosis of AD, we investigated the plasma metabolic profile by metabolomic approach. A total 482 human subjects were enrolled in the study: 80 patients with AD (50 with Stanford type A and 30 with Stanford type B), 198 coronary artery disease (CAD) patients, and 204 healthy individuals. Plasma samples were submitted to targeted metabolomic analysis. The partial least-squares discriminant analysis models were constructed to illustrate clear discrimination of AD patients with CAD patients and healthy control. Subsequently, the metabolites that were clinically relevant to the disturbances in AD were identified. Twenty metabolites induced the separation of AD patients and healthy control, 9 of which caused the separation of CAD patients and healthy control. There are 11 metabolites specifically down-regulated in AD group. Subgroup analysis showed that the levels of glycerol and uridine were dramatically lower in the plasma of patients with Stanford type A AD than those in the healthy control or Stanford type B AD groups.ConclusionThis study characterized metabolomic profiles specifically associated with the pathogenesis and development of AD. The findings of this research may potentially lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of AD.     

Peripartum acute aortic dissection: A case report & review of literature

Acute aortic dissection is a rare clinical entity that mainly affects patients older than 50 years. It is unusual in younger patients and its presence has been traditionally associated with trauma, Marfan syndrome, bicuspid aortic valve and pregnancy. We present here, a case of a 30 year old pregnant female with acute aortic dissection type A (De Bakey II), without family history of connective tissue diseases and signs of Marfan syndrome.     

Stanford type A aortic dissection in a hypertensive patient with atherosclerosis of aorta and aortitis

Dissection of aorta is a serious condition; the main factors are hypertension and diseases of the connective tissue or of collagen. Aortitis syndrome in combination with hypertension and atherosclerosis in association with ascending aortic dissection is rarely seen. We present the case of a 53-year-old hypertensive patient whose ascending aortic dissection was associated with pericardial effusion without rupture of the aorta and with pleural effusion. Several unusual aspects of transesophageal echocardiography are described. The intraoperative biopsy revealed inflammatory aortitis with mural hematoma, without giant cells. The literature concerning aortic dissection and aortitis is reviewed.     

Bentall procedure for retrograde type A dissection after endovascular repair in type A aortic dissection: A case report

Rationale:The management of retrograde type A dissection (RTAD) after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for type A aortic dissection (TAAD) has rarely been reported. We report the management of RTAD after TEVAR with in situ fenestration for TAAD.Patient concerns:A 59-year-old man with TAAD had undergone TEVAR with in situ fenestration 4 months prior to presenting to our emergency room complaining of acute chest and back pain. Computed tomography angiography showed RTAD starting from the proximal endograft and extending to the aortic root.Diagnosis:The patient was diagnosed with RTAD.Interventions:We performed only the Bentall procedure, and the patient did not require total arch replacement. We removed the bare spring of the proximal endograft and anastomosed the prosthetic graft with the endograft and the native ascending aortic wall.Outcomes:The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient remained asymptomatic for 3 years after surgery. Computed tomography angiography at the 3-year follow-up showed no perivalvular or anastomotic leakage.Lessons:RTAD after TEVAR for TAAD was safely and effectively treated by anastomosing the prosthetic graft with the endograft and the native ascending aortic wall instead of total arch replacement.     

Cardiac catheterization and selective coronary angiography in ascending aortic aneurysm or dissection

Cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography can be technically demanding and is potentially risky in patients with ascending aortic aneurysm or dissection. We describe our approach to and results in catheterizing 63 patients with ascending aortic pathology. © 1994 Wiley-Liss,Inc..