Twelve-year experience with intraluminal sutureless ringed graft replacement of the descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aorta

Use of the intraluminal sutureless ringed prosthesis can reduce graft insertion time and avoid difficulties inherent in suturing to friable, diseased aortic tissue. Since 1976 this device has been inserted into the descending thoracic or thoracoabdominal aorta in 42 procedures for aortic dissection and for aneurysmal disease. The operative mortality rate for descending thoracic aortic dissection repair was 14% and that for descending thoracic aortic aneurysm repair was 8%, with an overall mortality rate of 10%. All three of the patients undergoing thoracoabdominal aortic replacement survived. The mean cross-clamp time for sutureless tube graft insertion was 9 minutes. The average blood replacement was 2.4 units/patient. No patient suffered serious neurologic or renal impairment. A single nonfatal case of graft dislodgement occurred after placement. No evidence of hemolysis, pseudoaneurysm formation, graft erosion, graft migration, or anastomotic bleeding was present in any of the remaining patients. Modification of the sutureless intraluminal device to suit the pathologic condition encountered at operation allows rapid repair with a low incidence of anastomotic complication.     

Replacement of the thoracic aorta with intraluminal sutureless prosthesis.

A survey of the collective experience reveals that between 1976 and 1990, a sutureless intraluminal prosthesis was used to replace the ascending thoracic aorta, arch, and descending thoracic aorta in 122, 14, and 81 patients, respectively. During these 217 operations, at least 364 of the 434 anastomoses were performed by sutureless fixation. The underlying disease processes consisted of acute and chronic dissections; atherosclerotic, Marfan's, and mycotic aneurysms; and intraoperative disruptions of the ascending aorta. The data in the literature suggest that sutureless fixation shortens aortic cross-clamp time and reduces blood loss. Early graft-related complications were few and probably can be further reduced by improving surgical techniques. The incidence of paraplegia and renal failure after descending aortic grafting was identical at 2.5%. The operative mortality rate for ascending aortic, arch, and descending aortic replacement was 13.1%, 42.9%, and 14.8%, respectively. Long-term follow-up of 143 patients revealed satisfactory graft function with three possible device-related deaths and no other known complications attributable to the prosthesis. There are, however, anecdotal references to late complications from the intraluminal prosthesis. Most of these relate to faulty implantation techniques, but some could be due to flaws inherent in the concept of sutureless grafting. The collective experience suggests that grafting of the thoracic aorta is less hazardous with the sutureless than with the conventional sutured anastomosis technique. The implications of the anecdotal accounts about late complications remain to be determined.     

An experimental study of a new sutureless intraluminal graft with an elastic ring that can attach itself to the vessel wall. A preliminary report

A new sutureless intraluminal graft was developed with an elastic ring made of a flat spring. The diameter of the ring could be reversibly reduced by compression. The sutureless intraluminal graft with an elastic ring can attach itself to the vessel wall by elastic expansion of the ring. The elastic-ring graft was implanted in the descending thoracic aortas of nine dogs and was evaluated histologically and angiographically at different intervals from 18 to 150 days. No complication such as detachment of the ring, aortic rupture, stenosis, or aneurysmal dilatation was observed. With the new graft neither ligation nor posterior aortic wall dissection is necessary, and no anastomotic stenosis occurs. This graft is applicable even if the diameter of the aorta is small. Therefore the elastic-ring sutureless intraluminal graft promises theoretic advantages over sutureless methods that use tape ligation.     

One advice to the decision of graft size for ascending and total arch graft replacement (in a case of differential diameters in ascending aorta and descending aorta)

We carried out the surgery of thoracic aortic aneurysm in fifty-eight patients from June 1994 to February 1999 (including aortic dissection in twenty-six patients). The mean size of grafts were 28.1 mm in ascending graft replacement, 25.8 mm in both ascending and arch graft replacement and 23.8 mm in descending graft replacement. The grafts for ascending aortic aneurysm were significantly larger than those for descending aortic aneurysm. In two of twenty-six patients undergoing both ascending and arch graft replacement, different size of grafts were used for ascending replacement and for arch replacement with satisfactory results in terms of bleeding from the anastomotic sites. Case 1; A 45-year-female with aortitis syndrome and aortic regurgitation due to annuloaorticectasia and thoracic aortic aneurysm underwent simultaneous aortic root replacement with composite graft (25 mm St. Jude Medical valve and 28 mm Hemashield graft) and total arch replacement (30 mm Hemashield graft with two side branches). Case 2; A 64-year-female was diagnosed as chronic type II dissecting aneurysm combined with acute type I aortic dissection. Ascending aorta was replaced with a 26 mm Hemashield graft, and the aortic arch was replaced with a 24 mm Hemashield graft with three side branches.     

Aortic replacement with composite grafts created with a sutureless intraluminal ringed prosthesis

From 1980 to 1988, 30 patients from a total population of 123 recipients of sutureless grafts (24%) have required aortic reconstruction with a composite ringed graft. Replacement of the ascending aorta was required in 12 patients, of the aortic arch in six patients, of the descending aorta in two patients, of the thoracoabdominal aorta in two patients, and of the abdominal aorta in eight patients. Eight patients (27%) needed an emergency operation at the time of admission. No patients had permanent neurologic or renal deficits. There was no evidence of pseudoaneurysm formation, graft erosion, graft migration, or aortic bleeding in the postoperative period. Two operative deaths (7%) occurred, both in patients undergoing arch reconstruction. Composite grafts can be created that vary in length and shape, incorporate different graft materials, and accommodate the aorta and its branches. The ability to modify the sutureless prosthesis to suit the disease encountered at operation allows the quickest repair with the least chance of anastomotic complication.     

Surgical treatment for acute aortic arch dissection

Between March 1983 and December 1993, 24 consecutive patients with acute aortic dissection resulting from a tear located in the aortic arch or at the base of the innominate artery underwent surgical treatment. Before 1988, 11 patients (group 1) underwent either isolated ascending aorta replacement (eight cases) or composite graft replacement (three) by the conventional method. In this group, the hospital mortality rate was 36.4%; two of seven surviving patients required reoperation for aortic arch. After 1989, 13 patients (group 2) underwent either hemiarch replacement (five cases), total arch replacement (three), extended ascending aortic replacement or composite graft replacement with hemiarch replacement (one) under a brief period of circulatory arrest (mean 33.3 min) at a mean(range) rectal temperature of 20.8(18–23) °C by open distal anastomosis. The operative mortality rate in group 2 was 15.4%. Ten of 13 surviving patients are free from reoperation (mean follow-up 40 months). In most patients with acute type A dissection in which the tear is located at the proximal aortic arch or at the base of the innominate artery, the use of an open technique during a brief period of hypothermic circulatory arrest is advocated to: (1) perform a more secure distal anastomosis; (2) provide a more accurate assessment and resection of intimal disruption; and (3) avoid further aortic injury from the cross-clamp.     

Long-Term Surgical Outcomes Following Intraluminal Sutureless Graft Insertion for Type A Aortic Dissection

The long-term outcome of sutureless intraluminal graft insertion remains unclarified. Therefore, we reviewed the late surgical outcomes of patients who underwent this procedure for acute type A dissection. Between March 1990 and May 2000, 80 patients aged from 36 to 92 years underwent isolated replacement of the ascending aorta for type A acute aortic dissection. The surgical procedures performed were replacement with an intraluminal sutureless graft in 18 patients (group 1) and suturing of the aorta with a conventional Dacron prosthesis in 62 patients (group 2). The cross-clamp, extracorporeal circulation, circulatory arrest, and operation times were significantly shorter in group 1 than in group 2, and the amount of total blood transfusion was also significantly less in group 1 than in group 2. The hospital mortality rates were 11.1% (2/18) in group 1 and 9.7% (6/62) in group 2 (P > 0.999). The 5-year actuarial survival rates (including operative mortality) were 71% ± 11% in group 1 and 77% ± 9% in group 2 (P = 0.268). The event-free survival rates at 5 years were 80% ± 10% in group 1, and 67% ± 13% in group 2 (P = 0.780). Regarding graft-related complications, long-term follow-up revealed one graft-related death and one reoperation in group 1 (12.5%), and no graft-related complications in group 2 (0%) (P = 0.047). In conclusion, intraluminal sutureless grafts required less blood transfusion, and shorter cross-clamp, extracorporeal circulation, circulatory arrest, and surgery times. However, the procedure did not improve the hospital mortality or long-term outcome. In fact, the rate of graft-related complications was significantly higher in the intraluminal sutureless group than in the sutured group. Therefore, the intraluminal graft insertion technique should be used only under exceptional circumstances. Received: November 2, 2000 / Accepted: May 15, 2001     

Concomitant graft replacement of the total aortic root and the transverse aortic arch for type A aortic dissection associated with annuloaortic ectasia]

Between April 1988 and February 1992, eight patients with type A aortic dissection associated with annuloaortic ectasia (AAE) underwent the concomitant graft replacement of the total aortic root and the transverse aortic arch at our institution. The acuity of the aortic dissection was acute stage in 3 patients and chronic stage in 5 including 3 cases of re-do operation. All operations were performed with an aid of extracorporeal circulation, blood cardioplegia, selective cerebral perfusion and open distal anastomosis. The operative techniques employed in this series consisted of total aortic root replacement using a composite graft (Bentall, Cabrol or Piehler's technique), and total arch replacement using en bloc arch reconstruction or three vessels graft replacement. One patients underwent re-do operation for coronary anastomotic false aneurysm following Bentall operation and aneurysmal dilatation of the false lumen at the aortic arch, and died of LOS because of the prolonged myocardial ischemia. Other seven patients survived the operation, and lead the normal life at the present time. The present data suggests that type A aortic dissection associated with AAE involving aortic arch could be treated by concomitant graft replacement of the total aortic root and the transverse aortic arch.     

The surgical treatment for the Stanford type A aortic dissection]

Twenty-nine patients who underwent operation at Shinshu University Hospital for the Stanford type A dissecting aneurysm were analysed. The patients were operated on in the acute stage within 2 weeks after onset. In 13 of these 26 acute cases, the graft replacement of the ascending and arch of the aorta was performed (group A). The patients were operated under a separate perfusion to the brain and the distal anastomosis to the proximal portion of the descending aorta was performed using the method of open distal anastomosis. In other 13 cases, the graft replacement of the ascending aorta was performed (group B). Operative mortality rate was 19% in this series (group A: 23%, group B: 15%). There was no significant difference in their operative mortality of acute stage. And there was also no significant difference in their post operative course of acute stage operations. We concluded that the graft replacement of the ascending and arch of the aorta was better than the graft replacement of the ascending aorta alone for the patients with Stanford type A acute aortic dissection.     

Fibrin sealant improves surgical results of type A acute aortic dissections

From January 1984 to July 1990, 63 patients were operated on for type A acute aortic dissection. Forty-two patients (aged 22 to 80 years) had isolated replacement of the ascending aorta with the following techniques: group 1 (n = 10) had replacement of the ascending aorta with an intraluminal sutureless graft, group 2 (n = 14) had a Dacron prosthesis sutured to the aorta, and in group 3 (n = 18) the proximal and distal aortic stumps were glued together and reinforced at the suture sites with fibrin sealant before implantation of the Dacron prosthesis. There were no significant differences between the three groups with respect to age, sex, or preoperative clinical and anatomical data. Three (30%) intraoperative deaths occurred in group 1, 4 (29%) in group 2, and none in group 3. Cross-clamp and extracorporeal circulation time were significantly lower in group 1 when compared with groups 2 and 3. Perioperative blood loss during the first 24 hours was significantly lower in group 3 (372 +/- 155 mL) when compared with group 1 (755 +/- 210 mL; p less than 0.05) or group 2 (1,055 +/- 370 mL; p less than 0.01). Total hospital mortality was 7 (70%) in group 1, 6 (43%) in group 2, and 1 (5.5%) in group 3. All patients were reviewed: one late death occurred in group 2 and none in the other groups. All survivors were in good clinical condition. In conclusion, intraluminal sutureless grafts allowed shorter cross-clamp and extracorporeal circulation time but did not improve surgical results for treatment of type A acute aortic dissections.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Extended total arch replacement for acute type a aortic dissection: experience with seventy patients

OBJECTIVE: We sought to report the clinical experience with extended total arch replacement for acute type A aortic dissection and to determine the factors that influence early mortality, late survival, and late reoperation. METHODS: Between December 1988 and August 1998, 70 patients underwent emergency graft replacement of both the ascending aorta and the total aortic arch for acute type A aortic dissection. All operations were performed with hypothermic extracorporeal circulation, selective cerebral perfusion for cerebral protection during aortic arch repair, and open distal anastomosis. Concomitant procedures included aortic valve resuspension in 18 patients, composite graft replacement in 10 patients, and coronary artery bypass grafting in 5 patients. RESULTS: The early mortality rate was 16% (11 of 70 patients). Multivariable analysis showed that renal-mesenteric ischemia and coronary artery bypass grafting were independent determinants for early death. Survival rates at 3 and 5 years postoperatively, including the early deaths, were 75% +/- 5% and 73% +/- 6%, respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that renal-mesenteric ischemia and en bloc repair were independent determinants for late death. Freedom from reoperation was 91% +/- 4% and 77% +/- 8% at 3 and 5 years, respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that anastomotic leakage was the only significant determinant for late reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Extended total arch replacement for acute type A aortic dissection could be justified in properly selected patients.     

Surgical treatment of Stanford type A acute aortic dissection with stenosis of the branches of aortic arch: report of two cases

Recently two cases of Stanford type A acute aortic dissection with stenosis of the branches of aortic arch were operated. Both of them had the intimal tear in the ascending aorta, and the stenosis caused by the dissection was present in the left subclavian artery in the first case and in the brachiocephalic and the right common carotid arteries in the second case. Repairs of the dissected ascending aorta were performed successfully with the interposition of the ringed intraluminal graft in the first case, and with the composite graft replacement of the ascending aorta and the aortic valve in the second case. Complete remission or significant relief of the branch stenoses which had not been given direct surgical repairs was observed by the postoperative angiograms.     

The surgical treatment for acute aortic dissection —A retrospective study from the statistics of affiliated hospital of a medical school—

A retrospective study was conducted for the surgical treatment on acute aortic dissection among the cardiovascular services of 5 affiliated hospital of a medical school. The total of 74 cases were operated for the last 5 yers period from Jan., 1991 to Dec, 1995, in which 64 cases were classified as Type A and 10 for Type B. The average age for Type A was 58.4 years old and 10% of patients were consisted of Marfan syndrome. The most frequent complications associated with dissection was aortic regurgitation (37.5%), followed by cardiac tamponade (23.4%). The surgeries were undertaken in less than 24 hours from the onset of symptom in 45.3% of patients. The localization of initial tear as was proved by intraoperative finding was at ascending aorta in 64.0%, whereas it was found at aortic arch in 21.8% of patients. The most frequent application of operative procedure was simultaneous graft replacement of ascending aorta and aortic arch (68.7%) with the use of profound hypothermia and antegrade selective cerebral perfusion (85.4%). The overall mortality rate was 25.0%, however when compared as ascending oly vs ascending + arch replacement, the later group demonstrated higher mortality rate (16.6% vs 28.9%). The majority of surgical indication for Type B was hemorrhage from the dissection and 20.0% of mortality was recorded in this group of patients.     

Redo operations for recurrent aneurysmal disease of the ascending aorta and transverse aortic arch

Sixty-seven operations were performed in 59 patients for aneurysmal disease occurring after previous operations involving the ascending aorta and transverse aortic arch. The initial aortic pathological condition included the following: fusiform aneurysm due to medial degenerative disease in 34 patients, 12 of whom had Marfan's syndrome; aortic dissection in a previously undilated aorta in 23; and aneurysm persisting or occurring after brachiocephalic bypass in 2. One of the latter had an aneurysm because of aortitis. Various operations initially performed did not completely treat the disease, and certain complications occurred spontaneously, including infection and dissection. The residual pathological condition led to the development of aortic insufficiency, aortic dissection, coronary artery insufficiency, and progressive aneurysmal dilatation. These complications were treated by composite valve graft replacement of the aortic valve and ascending aorta or the transverse aortic arch or both, simple aortic valve replacement, graft replacement of the ascending aorta or arch or both, and suture of false aneurysm with viable tissue wrap. Twenty patients (34%) had an aneurysm of the distal aorta. The entire aorta was replaced in 3, thoracoabdominal segments in 9, and the abdominal aorta in 1. Of the 59 patients, 49 (83%) were early survivors and 40 (68%) were alive on January 1, 1985. Principles of therapy that may have prevented the complications leading to reoperation include aneurysm replacement at the time of aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass; total replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic valve in patients with Marfan's syndrome; the same procedure or aortic valve replacement and separate graft replacement in patients with non-Marfan's medial degenerative disease; ascending aortic replacement in all patients with dissection combined with valve resuspension, aortic valve replacement, or composite valve graft depending on the involvement of the aortic sinuses and the presence of aortic insufficiency.     

主动脉弓三分支覆膜支架在Stanford A型急性主动脉夹层外科治疗中的应用

目的 总结外科处理升主动脉加主动脉弓三分支覆膜支架置入治疗Stanford A型急性主动脉夹层的临床经验.方法 对2010年1月至12月收治的14例Stanford A型主动脉夹层患者行升主动脉手术处理加主动脉弓三分支覆膜支架置入,其中男性12例,女性2例,年龄20～70岁,平均49岁.手术包括升主动脉置换术加支架置入4例,主动脉根部置换术(Bentall术)加支架置入5例,主动脉瓣置换加升主动脉置换术(Wheat术)加支架置入4例,主动脉瓣成形加升主动脉置换术加支架置入1例;其中6例为急诊手术.结果 平均心肺转流时间(186±38)min,心肌阻断时间(101±27)min,选择性脑灌注时间(39±11)min.无住院死亡病例;术后出现短暂性神志障碍1例,肢体活动障碍1例,急性肾功能衰竭1例,二次开胸手术1例,消化道出血1例,乳糜胸1例,治疗后均痊愈.出院前及出院后3个月内行大血管CT血管造影检查:升主动脉及弓部覆膜支架内血流通畅,主动脉弓段及降主动脉假腔缩小,主动脉管壁结构恢复.随访1～12个月,无晚期死亡及需要再次手术纠治血管病变者.结论 主动脉弓三分支覆膜支架置入的主要适应证为内膜破口位于升主动脉但需重建弓部形态的Stanford A型急性主动脉夹层.其同期结合手术处理升主动脉是治疗急性Stanford A型主动脉夹层安全、有效的一种新手段.

Abstract：

Objective To sum up the experience of performing ascending aorta replacement combined triple-branched stent graft implantation for acute Standford type A aortic dissection. Methods From January 2010 to December 2010, 14 patients with acute Standford type A aortic dissection underwent the procedure of performing ascending aorta replacement combined triple-branched stent graft implantation.Right axiuary artery cannulation was used for cardiopulmonary bypass and selected cerebral perfusion.When the body temperature drops below 18 ℃, the ascending aorta was transected near the base of the innominate artery.From the incision, the triple-branched stent graft was implantated into the true lumen of the arch,descending aorta and the aorta bifurcation vessel. The transected stump of the ascending aorta was anastomosis to the proximal of the branched blood vessel prosthesis.Results Cardiopulmonary bypass time was (186 ±38) min,cross clamp time was (101 ±27) min,and average selective cerebral perfusion and lower body arrest time was ( 39 ± 11 ) min.The in-hospital mortality was zero.One patient of transient postoperative neurologic dysfunction, one of acute renal failure, one of transient limbs disturbance, one of secondary thoracotomy operation, one of gastrointestinal hemorrhage and one of postoperative chylothorax were observed.CT angiography rechecked showed the position of the vascular stent were satisfactory and the blood flow of arterial branches stents were lucid .The false lumen of the aortic arch and descending aorta closed with thrombus or shrinked.Conclusions The patients required aortic arch to be reconstructed which had no main tearing of intima in the arch may be best candidates for this technique.Open triple-branched stent graft placement combined ascending aorta replacement is an effective means for aortic arch reconstruction in acute Stanford type A aortic dissection.     

升主动脉根部瘤的外科治疗

目的总结升主动脉根部瘤的外科治疗经验。方法101例升主动脉根部瘤患者（年龄14～72岁，平均年龄42．7岁）的主要病因为马方综合征（Marfan syndrome，58例），主动脉瓣环扩张症（34例），主动脉瓣二叶瓣畸形（5例），大动脉炎（4例）；术前有主动脉瓣关闭不全96例，主动脉瓣狭窄4例，术前合并有A型夹层26例，急性左心衰竭（5例）。手术类型：Wheat手术4例，传统或改良Cabrol手术13例，David手术1例，Bentall手术83例。同期行主动脉半弓置换术或降主动脉腔内支架植入术16例，全弓置换术或降主动脉腔内支架植入术4例，二尖瓣置换术或成形术14例，冠状动脉旁路移植术8例。结果全组手术死亡率为6．9％（7／101），2000年后降至3．6％（3／83）；术后主要并发症为低心排血量10例，呼吸功能不全9例，肾功能不全9例。术后随访94例，随访期间死亡1例，5例马方综合征患者术后出现B型夹层。结论Bentall手术是治疗升主动脉根部瘤的首选手术方法，术前左心功能及手术技术是影响手术效果的关键因素。     

Long-term outcome of the surgical treatment for acute aortic dissection with a ringed intraluminal graft; report of a case

A 61-year-old female, who had undergone the surgical treatment of acute type A aortic dissection with a ringed intraluminal graft 26 years before, presented with breathlessness. Computed tomography (CT) showed peri-prosthetic leakage and enlargement (45×50 mm in diameter), enlargement of the aortic root (42 mm in diameter), and aneurysm of the ascending aorta and the aortic arch (55 mm in diameter) with chronic type A aortic dissection. Echocardiography showed severe aortic regurgitation. She successfully underwent aortic root replacement( Bentall procedure) and total arch replacement.     

Repair of the Aortic Arch with Fibrin Glue in Type A Aortic Dissection

Location of the intimal tear in the aortic arch in type A aortic dissection is for many authors an indication for replacement of the aortic arch, but this operation has a high in-hos-pitai mortality rate: 20% to 40%. Instead, we suggest repairing the aortic arch by injecting fibrin glue, which contains a human sealer protein concentrate, between the two dissected layers under circulatory arrest while replacing the ascending aorta. To evaluate this technique, we reviewed 45 successive patients operated on for type A acute aortic dissection between January 1989 and July 1993, of which 6 had the intimal tear located on or extending into the aortic arch. Mean age was 71 ± 4.2 years (range 68 to 74). After proximal supracoronary anastomosis with a collagen-impregnated graft, aortic arch repair was achieved by injecting fibrin glue between the two layers, using circulatory arrest at a mean temperature of 22°C, with a mean duration of 24 minutes. This obliterated the dissection in the arch and also the intimal flap. The distal part of the graft was then anastomosed to the proximal portion of the aortic arch at the origin of the innominate artery under circulatory arrest. There were no early or late deaths. All patients were asymptomatic at a mean follow-up of 2.6 years. Follow-up angloscan showed obliteration of the dissection in the aortic arch in all patients; there were two patients with dilatation of the distal aortic arch of 40 and 45 mm. These results suggest that repair of the aortic arch with fibrin glue facilitates surgery, reduces operative time, and has a lower mortality rate than aortic arch replacement. The risk of possible reoperatlon for arch replacement Is largely balanced by the good immediate and late results reported here. (J Card Surg 1994;9:734–739)     

Sutureless intraluminal graft for repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm

A series of seven patients undergoing elective repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms using sutureless intraluminal aortic prostheses for infrarenal tube grafts was reviewed. Follow-up was five to seven months. There was no morbidity related to the graft and one late mortality. In the uncomplicated cases, the average total operative time was two hours 14 minutes with no bank blood transfusions. The overall average operative time was two hours 41 minutes with an average operative transfusion of 0.28 units and total transfusions of 1.70 units of bank blood per case. Based on this experience and the observation that operative time and blood loss are major determinants of mortality with emergency abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs, we believe that use of sutureless intraluminal prostheses in suitable cases of leaking or ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms has the potential to markedly improve survival.     

A case of ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm in a patient with aortic replacement

A 59-year-old man with a history of ascending aorta replacement for an aortic dissection using gelatin–resorcin–formalin glue at age of 50 years presented with paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. An echocardiogram showed severe aortic regurgitation associated with aortic root enlargement. Chest computed tomography showed that the ascending aorta was dilated and a pseudoaneurysm was observed around the implanted prosthetic graft. Upon opening the ascending aorta, we found that the posterior wall of the proximal anastomotic portion of the implanted graft was ruptured. After replacement of the aortic root with a composite graft and reconstruction of the orifices of the right and left coronary arteries, total arch replacement by the separated graft technique was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful.