Posterior pericardial approach for ascending aorta-to-descending aorta bypass through a median sternotomy

BACKGROUND: Bypass grafting for repeat operation or complex forms of descending aortic disease is an alternative approach to decrease potential complications of anatomic repair. METHODS: Between December 1985 and February 1998, 17 patients (13 men, 4 women; mean age, 47.6 +/- 18.5 years) underwent ascending aorta-to-descending aorta bypass through a median sternotomy and posterior pericardial approach. Indications for operation were coarctation or recoarctation of aorta in 8 patients, Takayasu's aortitis in 2, prosthetic aortic valve stenosis associated with coarctation of aorta, complex descending aortic arch aneurysm, reoperation for chronic descending aortic dissection, long-segment stenosis of descending aorta, acquired coarctation after repair of traumatic transection of descending aorta, severe aortic atherosclerosis, and false aneurysm of descending aorta after repair of coarctation in 1 patient each. Concomitant procedures were performed in 12 patients. RESULTS: No early or late mortality has occurred. Follow-up was 100% complete and extended to 12 years (mean, 2.7 +/- 3.3 years). No late graft-related complications have occurred; 1 patient had successful repair of perivalvular leak after mitral valve replacement, and 1 patient had replacement of lower descending and abdominal aorta. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure of the descending aorta through the posterior pericardium for ascending aorta-descending aorta bypass is a safe alternative and particularly useful when simultaneous intracardiac repair is necessary.     

Chirurgische Therapie der Aortenisthmusstenose

The aortic isthmus represents the region of the smallest aortic diameter and is located at the beginning of the descending aorta between the left subclavian artery and the origin of the first intercostal artery. Aortic coarctation (CoA) is defined as a pathologic narrowing of the aortic isthmus and accounts for 5–8?% of all congenital heart defects. A CoA can exist as an isolated entity or in combination with other cardiac anomalies. Due to the close relationship and interaction between the ductal orifice and development of coarctation, the term juxtaductal CoA prevails. Neonates with CoA and ductal-dependent lower body perfusion need urgent surgical repair. Spontaneous ductal closure can be prevented by infusion of prostaglandin E1 and if ineffective, emergency surgery is necessary. In contrast, in older children who suffer from arterial hypertension of the upper body, CoA can be corrected by intervention or surgery, as necessary. In most centers coarctation resection with direct end-to-end anastomosis has gained acceptance as the surgical repair of choice. In cases of associated aortic arch hypoplasia, which is common in 50?% of neonatal CoA cases, an extended resection and repair with simultaneous aortic arch enlargement by direct descending aorta to aortic arch anastomosis is recommended. Pronounced proximal arch hypoplasia should be corrected by an anterior approach facilitated by a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Alternative operative techniques need individual implementation after careful decision making.     

Aortic root aneurysm in an adult patient with aortic coarctation: a single-stage approach

Coarctation of the aorta is a common congenital defect that may be undiagnosed until adulthood. Moreover, coarctation is associated with congenital and acquired cardiac pathology that may require surgical intervention. The management of an adult patient with aortic coarctation and an associated cardiac defect poses a great technical challenge since there are no standard guidelines for the therapy of such a complex pathology. Several extra-anatomic bypass grafting techniques have been described, including methods in which distal anastomosis is performed on the descending thoracic aorta, allowing simultaneous intracardiac repair. We report here a 37-year old man who was diagnosed with an aortic root aneurysm and aortic coarctation. The patient was treated electively with a single-stage approach through a median sternotomy that consisted of valve-sparing replacement of the aortic root and ascending-to-descending extra-anatomic aortic bypass, using a 18-mm Dacron graft. Firstly, the aortic root was replaced with the Yacoub remodelling procedure, and then the distal anastomosis was performed to the descending aorta, behind the heart, with the posterior pericardial approach. The extra-anatomic bypass graft was brought laterally from the right atrium and implanted in the ascending graft. Postoperative recovery was uneventful and a control computed tomographic angiogram 1 month after complete repair showed good results.     

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.     

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.     

Ascending-to-descending aortic bypass via posterior pericardium for complex coarctation of aorta

Abstract   We introduce our surgical experience in treating recurrent aortic coarctation or coarctation associated with intracardiac abnormalities, which is difficult to manage. Four patients underwent the operation with hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. During the surgery, the posterior pericardium was opened and the thoracic aorta was dissected and sidebiting clamped, and an end-to-side anastomosis of the artificial graft to the descending aorta was performed. The graft was passed in between the inferior vena cava and the inferior right pulmonary vein and posterior to the pericardium. After that, the aorta was clamped and intracardiac repair was finished. Then the proximal artificial graft was anastomosed to the right side of the ascending aorta with heart beating. All patients recovered smoothly. There was no early or late death, without bleeding or other complications after operation. Conclusion : "Complex coarctation" can be treated with ascending-to-descending aortic bypass via posterior pericardium and satisfied result can be achieved.     

Anesthesia for total and descending aorta replacement and aortic valve replacement for post-repair aneurysm of coarctation of aorta and aortic stenosis

We experienced anesthesia for total arch and descending aorta replacement and aortic valve replacement for post-repair aneurysm of coarctation of aorta and aortic stenosis. Because there was possibility that post coarctectomy syndrome would occur after repair of coarctation of aorta, administration of depressor that acts on renin-angiotensin-aldosterone and careful observation were needed postoperatively. In consideration of the development of collateral vessels, preoperative imaging evaluation was added and operative method in cardiopulmonary bypass was adjusted. Careful preoperative evaluation is very important in cardiac anesthesia.     

Application of Ultra Short Acting Beta Blockade (Esmolol) in Pediatric Open Heart Surgery: A Trial in Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return

A bstract Background : In the repair of total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) under cardiopulmonary bypass, esmolol, ultra short acting beta blocker, was applied to obtain low heart rate and weak ventricular contraction under mild hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods : Five infants aged from 14 to 158 days with an average of 70 days, underwent a primary or palliative repair of TAPVR. The type of anomalous return was supracardiac type (2), infracardiac (2), and intracardiac (1). A primary repair was done in three for isolated TAPVR with bypass time of 65 to 76 minutes, and a palliative repair for two with complex anomalies with bypass time of 64 and 87 minutes. Results : There was one operative death from cerebral bleeding in an infant with complex TAPVR who underwent simultaneous pulmonary banding. Conclusion : This strategy seems to be applicable in pediatric cardiac surgery when aortic cross-clamping is better to be avoided and the surgery is mainly limited to the atrial level.     

Entire rerouting of the supraaortic branches for endovascular stent-graft placement of an aortic arch aneurysm.

Conventional surgical repair of the aortic arch using cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest still carries a substantial rate of mortality and morbidity. Endovascular stent-graft placement has developed as a safe and effective treatment modality in various diseases of the aorta. We report on the case of a 64-year-old male presenting with an aortic arch aneurysm involving the origin of the brachiocephalic trunk. A second thoracic aortic aneurysm was detected in the distal third of the descending aorta. The patient was treated by entire prosthetic rerouting of the supraaortic branches. Metachronously, the patient underwent endovascular stent-graft placement from the distal ascending aorta up the thoracoabdominal transition.     

Proximal Aortic Replacement with Ascending–Descending Bypass for a Diffuse Aneurysm: Report of a Case

We performed successful ascending-arch aortic replacement and concomitant ascending-to-descending aorta bypass with exclusion of a descending thoracic aneurysm, via median sternotomy, for a ruptured aortic aneurysm involving the entire thoracic aorta. The patient was an 80-year-old man with cardiopulmonary dysfunction and a history of lung tuberculosis. This operation, which has been used for complex descending thoracic aortic lesions such as recoarctation, is a feasible option for a diffuse thoracic aortic aneurysm when single-stage repair is mandatory.     

Selective cerebro-myocardial perfusion in complex congenital aortic arch pathology: a novel technique

Simultaneous cerebro-myocardial perfusion has been described in neonatal and infant arch surgery, suggesting a reduction in cardiac morbidity. Here reported is a novel technique for selective cerebral perfusion combined with controlled and independent myocardial perfusion during surgery for complex or recurrent aortic arch lesions. From April 2008 to April 2011, 10 patients with arch pathology underwent surgery (two hypoplastic left heart syndrome [HLHS], four recurrent arch obstruction, two aortic arch hypoplasia + ventricular septal defect [VSD], one single ventricle + transposition of the great arteries + arch hypoplasia, one interrupted aortic arch type B + VSD). Median age was 63 days (6 days-36 years) and median weight 4.0 kg (1.6-52). Via midline sternotomy, an arterial cannula (6 or 8 Fr for infants) was directly inserted into the innominate artery or through a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft (for neonates <2.0 kg). A cardioplegia delivery system was inserted into the aortic root. Under moderate hypothermia, ascending and descending aorta were cross-clamped, and "beating heart and brain" aortic arch repair was performed. Arch repair was composed of patch augmentation in five, end-to-side anastomosis in three, and replacement in two patients. Average cardiopulmonary bypass time was 163 ± 68 min (71-310). In two patients only (one HLHS, one complex single ventricle), a period of cardiac arrest was required to complete intracardiac repair. In such cases, antegrade blood cardioplegia was delivered directly via the same catheter used for selective myocardial perfusion. Average time of splanchnic ischemia during cerebro-myocardial perfusion was 39 ± 18 min (17-69). Weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass was achieved without inotropic support in three and with low dose in seven patients. One patient required veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Four patients, body weight <3.0 kg, needed delayed sternal closure. No neurologic dysfunction was noted. Renal function proved satisfactory in all, while liver function was adequate in all but one. The present experience suggests that selective and independent cerebro-myocardial perfusion is feasible in patients with complex or recurrent aortic arch disease, starting from premature newborn less than 2.0 kg of body weight to adults. The technique is as safe as previously reported methods of cerebro-myocardial perfusion and possibly more versatile.     

Aortic valvular insufficiency and postductal aortic coarctation with small aorta syndrome: one-stage surgical management using extra anatomic bypass through median sternotomy

A 30-year-old man who had undergone repair for coarctation of the thoracic aorta at age 7 and mitral valve annuloplasty at age 9 was admitted for shortness of breath and claudication of both lower legs. The preoperative angiogram showed severe aortic regurgitation, moderate coarctation of the thoracic aorta beyond the left subclavian artery, a degree of hypoplasia of the infrarenal abdominal aorta, and total occlusion of both external iliac arteries. Aortic valve replacement, ascending-to-bilateral femoral arterial bypass, and end expanded polytetra fluoro ethylene (ePTFE) graft-to-descending aorta bypass was performed via a median sternotomy. Ascending-to-descending aortic bypass via the posterior pericardium allows simultaneous intracardiac repair or an alternative approach for the patient with complex coarctation.     

常温非体外循环下外科治疗主动脉缩窄15例

目的评价常温非体外循环下外科治疗先天性导管后型主动脉缩窄（CoA）的早中期效果。方法回顾性分析1999年1月至2004年12月间,15例在常温非体外循环下施行CoA外科手术患者的临床资料。全组男11例、女4例;年龄（18±10）岁。CoA为单纯性7例,合并动脉导管未闭（PDA）7例、合并PDA和室缺1例。在常温降主动脉部分阻断或主动脉弓-降主动脉临时旁路下施行人工血管旁路移植术9例;在常温降主动脉完全阻断施行腔内缩窄环切除加主动脉壁Gore—Tex补片成形术4例、缩窄段楔行切除端端吻合术2例。同期行结扎PDA8例,分期施行室缺修补术1例。结果全组无早期死亡,无声音嘶哑和下肢瘫痪。术后随访6个月～5年,下肢血压术后均较术前明显升高,术后有高血压者9例,其中需长期服用降压药者4例。无晚期死亡。术后人工血管通畅,降主动脉无再缩窄或假性动脉瘤形成。结论对于导管后型CoA,无论是单纯性、还是伴有PDA或合并其他心内畸形但准备分期手术者,常温非体外循环下施行CoA矫正手术是安全和有效的。     

Successful surgery for an acute type A aortic dissection following repair of a descending thoracic aortic aneurysm

Acute type A aortic dissection in the presence of a previously repaired atherosclerotic descending thoracic aortic aneurysm is rarely reported. We experienced a patient who underwent an ascending aortic replacement with reconstruction of the aortic arch 16 months after repair of a descending thoracic aortic aneurysm. We succeeded in the redo operation with comprehensive techniques involving selective cerebral perfusion, deep hypothermia, early antegrade systemic circulation for cerebral protection, and femoro-femoral bypass with occlusion of the descending aorta for lower systemic perfusion as well as renal perfusion. The patient recovered and is doing well one year after the redo operation.     

Takayasu's aortitis treated surgically by extensive aortic replacement. A case report

A case report of Takayasu's arteritis with aneurysmal involvement of the ascending aorta, aortic arch and descending thoracic aorta is presented. The patient underwent successful two-stage operation by use of Elephant trunk technique. During the first operation, replacement of ascending aorta and aortic arch was done under selective cerebral perfusion. During the second-stage operation, replacement of the descending thoracic aorta was performed under partial cardiopulmonary bypass. The postoperative course was uneventful and one year after surgery the patient is doing well. Specific conditions and operative strategy required in case of extensive aortic involvement in Takayasu's arteritis are discussed.     

The use of pulmonary autograft patch for type A aortic interruption and Swiss-cheese ventricular septal defect (VSD)

The surgical management of the aortic arch pathologies is controversial. Primary anastomosis and patch aortoplasties combined with end-to-end anastomosis have some complications like recurrence and aneurysm formation. Surgical repair of apical muscular (Swiss-cheese) defects is also still under debate. A 6-year-old patient with diagnosis of type A aortic arch interruption and Swiss-cheese ventricular septal defect (VSD) underwent successful intracardiac repair and aortic arch reconstruction. Aortic arch reconstruction was done by end-to-side anastomosis of distal aortic archus and thoracic aorta without cardiopulmonary bypass. The anterior side of the anastomosis was augmented by using pulmonary autograft patch and this patch was extended to the inferior surface of the archus aorta. Swiss-cheese VSD was repaired with a single patch using septal obliteration technique via transatrial approach. Pulmonary autograft patch aortoplasty and end-to-side anastomosis may be an alternative surgical management for surgical repair and it may be done without the need for cardiopulmonary bypass. In these patients associated multiple apical muscular VSDs can be repaired with a single patch, septal obliteration technique.     

Ascending-to-descending aortic bypass via right thoracotomy for complex (re-) coarctation and hypoplastic aortic arch.

OBJECTIVE: Operation for aortic recoarctation and/or residual hypoplastic arch represents a surgical challenge because of surrounding scar tissue in the coarctation area, hazard of spinal cord ischemia due to aortic cross-clamping, laceration of the recurrent nerve, and the choice of the best approach. We demonstrate the results of 52 operations of an extra anatomically bypass technique via right thoracotomy approach without establishment of cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS: Since 1987, 52 patients underwent extra anatomically positioned ascending-descending bypass grafting. Indication was aortic recoarctation with concomitant hypoplastic aortic arch (45 patients), atypical coarctation of aortic arch (2 patients), congenital anomalies of aortic arch (2 patients) and concomitant aortic coarctation and associated cardiac problems that required surgical repair (2 patient), infected stent-graft of descending aorta (1 patient). Mean age was 19.3 years. Systolic pressure gradients at rest ranged from 35 to 90mmHg; upper extremity hypertension was present in all patients. Operative technique consisted of performing aorta ascending-descending bypass graft size 16 or 18mm in diameter, via right thoracotomy (in 51 patient) or sternotomy (in 1 patient). RESULTS: The mortality rate was 1.9% (1/52). Five patients returned to the operating room (in 3-5 days after operation) for a lymphorrhea complication. An arterial pressure gradient in the limbs was totally corrected. During a follow-up period of actually 79+/-54 months, no adverse event was noticed and antihypertensive medication was stopped in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Ascending-to-descending aortic bypass via right thoracotomy is a safe and effective method for management complex (re-) coarctation and hypoplastic aortic arch.     

A surgical case of acute three-channeled aortic dissection in Marfan syndrome

We surgically treated a 35-year-old male with acute 3- channeled aortic dissection in Marfan syndrome. He had acute type A aortic dissection, and underwent Bentall’s type operation, simultaneous graft replacement of the ascending aorta and total aortic arch. Pain recurred 5 years and 9 months after the first operation. CT scan showed two adjacent false lumens in the descending aorta. The morphology of the first and second dissections was Stanford type A+B. The second dissection was acute. In the second false lumen, a re-entry formation was observed in the abdominal aorta. Because severe pain was persistent, we immediately replaced the descending aorta using a femoro-femoral partial cardiopulmonary bypass. The patient was doing well and was discharged. When pain recurs in a Marfan patient with an aortic dissection, a 3-channeled aortic dissection should be suspected, and we recommend emergency surgery.     

Open surgery for descending thoracic aorta in an endovascular era

BackgroundThoracic endovascular aortic repair has become the preferred treatment for a variety of descending thoracic aortic pathologies. However, there are unresolved issues such as morphologic appearance of chronic dissection, persistent false lumen perfusion, and adequacy of landing zone. Enthusiasm for improving the technique of open aortic repair and perioperative management is fading. In this study, we would like to demonstrate how we improve our surgical outcomes by establishing a dedicated aortic multidisciplinary team at the Kawasaki Aortic Center.MethodWe performed a single-center retrospective study from January 2015 to December 2016. All patients with open descending thoracic aortic replacement were recruited. Preoperative patient demographic data, bypass strategies, operative details, and postoperative outcomes were reviewed.ResultFrom January 2015 to December 2016, we treated 168 cases of descending thoracic aortic repair using a left thoracotomy. Median age was 69.0 ± 21.8 years old, and 63.1% were aortic dissection (acute, 4.8%; chronic, 58.3%); 81.3% patients underwent elective operations. Left heart bypass, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, and partial cardiopulmonary bypass were performed in 88.6%, 9.0%, and 2.4% of patients, respectively. Mean operative time was 312 ± 94 minutes. In-hospital mortality in total was 0.6%. The rate of transient spinal cord injury was 4.7%.ConclusionsUnder a dedicated aortic multidisciplinary team, we demonstrated that open descending thoracic aorta replacement can be performed with excellent early outcomes with low reintervention rates, regardless of the nature of the aortic pathologies.     

Hybrid arch repair including supra-aortic debranching on the descending aorta

A 49-year-old patient with an anastomotic pseudoaneurysm in the aortic arch was considered at high risk for conventional surgery through a median sternotomy because he had previously undergone several operations to treat aortic dissection and had a deep sternal infection after one procedure. Therefore, a hybrid repair was performed. Stent grafts were placed bridging two previously implanted aortic prostheses, which were in the ascending aorta and descending aorta, respectively. The supra-arch vessels were perfused by means of an extra-anatomic bypass from the descending aorta. The aneurysm was completely excluded from the blood flow, and the patient had no serious complications.