Ascending-to-descending aortic bypass and aortic valve replacement for concomitant severe aortic coarctation and aortic stenosis

We present a 33-year-old male with severe, symptomatic aortic coarctation and aortic stenosis assessed on a humanitarian medical mission to a developing country. Contemplating limited time and available resources, we performed a simultaneous single-stage approach with ascending-to-descending aortic bypass with a reinforced gortex graft and concomitant aortic valve replacement through a median sternotomy. The patient had an uneventful postoperative convalescence and was discharged on postoperative day 5. At 1-year follow-up, he was asymptomatic and doing well with good blood pressure control and complete equalization of upper and lower limb blood pressure measurements. Computed tomography and transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated a widely patent ascending-to-descending aortic bypass graft and a normally functioning prosthetic aortic valve, respectively. In developing countries where health care resources are limited, a combined approach with an extra-anatomic, thoracic aortic bypass, and aortic valve replacement resulted in good early and 1-year outcomes. This procedure may represent the most effective surgical option for patients with concomitant aortic coarctation and aortic stenosis.     

Ascending aortic aneurysms with associated aortic regurgitation

A safe method for replacement of the entire aortic valve, root, and ascending aorta for aortic insufficiency associated with an ascending aortic aneurysm is supported. This method utilizes a composite synthetic graft and valve with direct annular suture and implantation of the coronary arteries in the graft. The advantages of the technique include a shortened operation and freedom from postoperative hemorrhage, paraprosthetic leakage, and recurrent aneurysm formation.     

Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm combined with aortic occlusion

The case of a 73-year-old woman with aneurysms of the thoracoabdominal aorta and distal arch, combined with aortic occlusion, is reported. Cannulation from the femoral artery was not possible because of the aortic occlusion. Blood supply to the abdominal viscera and lower extremities was achieved only by selective perfusion from the celiac artery, superior mesenteric artery, and bilateral renal arteries. A unique choice of selective perfusion for distal circulatory support is described.     

Intramural aortic abscess mimicking chronic aortic dissection

A 77-year-old patient was referred for progressive fatigue and dyspnea on exertion. Preoperative imaging evaluations including transthoracic echocardiography and computed tomography were suggestive of a chronic ascending aortic dissection with an intramural hematoma. Intraoperatively, the intramural structure was identified as an abscess cavity.     

The fate of aortic root and aortic regurgitation after supracoronary ascending aortic replacement for acute type A aortic dissection

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the fate of the preserved aortic root after supracoronary aortic replacement for acute type A aortic dissection.MethodsBetween October 1999 and March 2018, 339 patients underwent supracoronary aortic replacement for acute type A aortic dissection at our institution. Late outcomes were evaluated, including overall survival, aortic-related death, and aortic root–related reoperation. The median follow-up was 3.7 years (1.4-8.4 years).ResultsOperative mortality was 46 patients (13.6%). The cumulative incidences at 5 years for aortic root–related reoperation, aortic-related death, and non–aortic related death were 2.5%, 14.5% and 12.4%, respectively. Multivariable Cox hazard regression analysis demonstrated greater sinus of Valsalva diameter and number of commissural detachments to be significant risk factors for a composite outcome consisting of aortic-related death or aortic root–related reoperation. Mixed-effects regression demonstrated that sinus of Valsalva diameter significantly increased with time (P < .001), and aortic regurgitation significantly worsened (P < .001).ConclusionsSinus of Valsalva diameter and commissural detachment were independent predictors of unfavorable outcomes after supracoronary aortic replacement. Close follow-up is particularly necessary for these patients, and aortic root replacement at the time of initial operation may lead to more favorable late outcomes.     

Extended aortic root replacement with aortic allografts

Complex left ventricular outflow tract obstruction after operation for subaortic stenosis or with hypoplastic aortic anulus remains a challenge for pediatric cardiac surgeons. We have recently applied a new technique of extended aortic root replacement using a cryopreserved aortic allograft to treat two patients who had previously been operated on for subaortic stenosis and a third who had aortic stenosis with a hypoplastic aortic anulus. This new procedure combines the concept of aortoventriculoplasty with aortic root replacement and coronary artery reimplantation. The valved aortic homograft is used in place of an aortic valve prosthesis and the attached anterior mitral leaflet augments the interventricular septum to relieve the subvalvular left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. The coronary ostia are then reimplanted into the allograft and an anastomosis between the distal graft and the ascending aorta is completed. Allograft aortic tissue is then used to patch the right ventricular outflow tract. One patient had aortic stenosis with annular hypoplasia and did well after extended root replacement. Two patients had previous operations for subaortic stenosis before undergoing extended aortic root replacement. One required mediastinal exploration and drainage at 2 weeks for Serratia marcescens mediastinitis and bacteremia, but uncomplicated recovery followed. The other patient had complete heart block for 2 days, but normal sinus rhythm resumed and convalescence was benign. This modified technique with the aortic allograft was very helpful in treating these difficult problems, and the lack of mortality, limited morbidity, and good functional results are encouraging.     

Acute aortic dissection after aortic valve replacement

A 53-year-old male who had been performed aortic valve replacement 15 weeks before was admitted to our hospital because of severe chest pain. Cjest computerized tomography showed dissection of aorta from ascending to descendig aorta and hemorrhage around ascending aorta. An emergency operation was performed under hypothermic circulatory arrest with a selective cerebral perfusion. An entry of dissection was found at posterior wall where was 3 cm upper from an artificial valve. Total arch replacement was successfully performed. There is a few caces of aortic dissection after aortic valve replacement, but careful peri and post operative care is necessary after aortic valve replacement.     

Preservation of aortic valve in type A aortic dissection complicated by aortic regurgitation

Two hundred fifty-two patients underwent operation for type A aortic dissection at Stanford University Medical Center from 1963 to 1987 and Duke University Medical Center from 1975 to 1988. Sixty-seven percent had an acute type A dissection and 33% had a chronic type A dissection. In addition to repair or replacement of the ascending aorta, 121 patients (48%) required an aortic valve procedure. Valve resuspension was performed in 46 (39 acute type A and 7 chronic type A), with an operative mortality rate of 13% +/- 5% (+/- 70% confidence limits), and aortic valve replacement in 75 (36 acute type A and 39 chronic type A), with an operative mortality rate of 20% +/- 5% (p = not significant versus resuspension). The operative mortality rate for patients requiring only repair or replacement of the ascending aorta was 32% +/- 4%. Indications for valve replacement included coexistent (nonacute) aortic valve disease, Marfan's syndrome, annuloaortic ectasia, and cases in which successful resuspension could not be accomplished. The overall actuarial survival rate for all patients was 59% +/- 3% (+/- 1 standard error of the mean), 40% +/- 4%, and 25% +/- 5% at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. Survival rates at these same times for patients with valve resuspension were 67% +/- 8%, 52% +/- 10%, and 26% +/- 19%, respectively; for patients who required aortic valve replacement, these survival rates were 70% +/- 5%, 39% +/- 8%, and 21% +/- 11%; finally, patients who received only an ascending aortic procedure had survival probabilities of 51% +/- 5%, 37% +/- 6%, and 23% +/- 6% (p = not significant versus resuspension versus aortic valve replacement). Multivariate analysis showed advanced age (p less than 0.001), previous cardiac or aortic operation (p less than 0.001), more preoperative dissection complications (p = 0.002), and earlier operative date (p = 0.038) to be the only significant, independent factors that increased the likelihood of early or late death. The type of aortic valve procedure (resuspension versus aortic valve replacement versus none) was not a significant predictor of mortality. Two of 46 patients with valve resuspension required late aortic valve replacement (freedom from aortic valve replacement: 100% and 80% +/- 13% at 5 and 10 years, respectively), as did 4 of 75 patients with initial aortic valve replacement (freedom from repeat aortic valve replacement: 98% +/- 2% and 73% +/- 13%, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

升主动脉置换术或成形术治疗主动脉瓣病变合并的升主动脉瘤样扩张

目的 对比分析主动脉瓣病变合并升主动脉瘤扩张在行主动脉瓣置换术(AVR)的同时施行升主动脉置换术(A组)或成形术(B组)的结果,探讨两种方法的临床效果及适应证.方法 A、B两组术前年龄、性别、心功能分级、主动脉瓣病变、左室射血分数等差异均无统计学意义.A组主动脉直径(49.45±3.96)mm,B组(49.31±3.68)mm,差异亦无统计学意义.行AVR后A组常规置换升主动脉,B组纵行切除部分升主动脉壁,缝合后包裹28～30 mm人工血管.结果 A、B两组术后均无死亡.A组主动脉阻断(71.70±17.13)min、体外循环(110.52±27.51)min,均明显大于B组的(57.13±16.32)min(P=0.025)和(97.31±19.46)min(P=0.004).两组术中及术后输血量、并发症发生率差异无统计学意义.结论 主动脉瓣病变合并升主动脉瘤样扩张,年轻病人主动脉直径≥40 mm时应积极手术处理扩张的升主动脉.升主动脉成形术,同时外包裹人工血管的方法较升主动脉置换术更为简单、安全,但升主动脉壁必须无粥样硬化或溃疡.     

Giant ascending aortic aneurysm after aortic valve replacement

Giant ascending aortic aneurysms are rare clinical entities and are accompanied by a high annual risk of rupture. We present the imaging, intraoperative, and pathology findings of such a case.