急诊外科手术治疗危重心瓣膜病192例

目的总结危重心瓣膜病患者行急诊手术的临床经验,以提高其疗效和治愈率。方法自1996年10月至2007年11月对192例危重心瓣膜病患者施行了急诊手术。所有患者均为心瓣膜病合并严重心力衰竭,心功能分级（NYHA）为Ⅲ～Ⅳ级。经内科治疗2～7d无效时采取急诊手术治疗;行二尖瓣置换术76例次,主动脉瓣置换术64例次,双瓣膜置换术43例次,三尖瓣置换术4例次,三尖瓣成形术45例次,左心房血栓清除和左心房减容术各5例次,冠状动脉旁路移植术5例次,其他心血管手术9例次。结果术中和术后早期分别死亡3例和8例,总手术死亡率为5．7％（11／192）,主要死亡原因为术中不能脱离体外循环机、术后发生低心排血量综合征和突发心室颤动等。随访168例,随访时间1个月～11年,失访13例。随访期间死亡8例,主要死于左心衰竭、瓣周漏或心内膜炎复发、尿毒症、夹层动脉瘤等。长期生存160例,心功能恢复至Ⅰ级132例,Ⅱ级15例,Ⅲ级13例;生活质量较术前有所提高。结论危重心瓣膜病患者经内科治疗无效时急诊手术具有良好的疗效,是较好的治疗选择。     

126例急性A型主动脉夹层临床特征分析

目的分析急性A型主动脉夹层(acute type A aortic dissection,AAAD)的临床特征,探讨住院死亡的危险因素,以提高对本病的诊治水平。方法回顾性分析2008年4月至2012年12月确诊的126例AAAD患者的临床资料,分析AAAD的发病特征,首诊症状及误诊情况。根据临床结局将患者分为存活组及死亡组,比较两组间临床特征差异并经多因素回归分析筛选AAAD患者住院死亡的危险因素。结果 43例保守治疗,25例死亡,住院病死率为58.1%,83例接受手术治疗,12例死亡,术后病死率为14.5%。AAAD发病具有季节性,发病年龄集中在56~60岁,不同性别及不同年份的发病年龄无明显差异。AAAD临床表现复杂,误诊率为7.2%,胸痛是AAAD最常见的首诊症状。存活组与死亡组患者在白细胞总数,丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、肌酐值上差异有统计学意义。多因素回归分析提示肌酐值132μmol/L与心包填塞是从AD患者住院死亡的危险因素。结论肌酐值132μmol/L与心包填塞是AAAD患者住院死亡的危险因素。正确认识AAAD的临床特征,早期预防、及时诊断、有效处理危险因素是降低AAD患者死亡率的关键。     

妊娠期急性Stanford A型主动脉夹层的诊断与治疗

目的 总结妊娠期急性Stanford A型主动脉夹层（acute type A aortic dissection,AAAD） 患者的诊治经验。 方法 回顾性分析2008年5月至2010年7月首都医科大学附属北京安贞医院3例妊娠期AAAD患者（年龄分别为：30岁、32岁、35岁） 经手术治疗的临床资料。1例剖宫产后3 d行Sun’s手术 （全主动脉弓置换＋降主动脉支架置入手术）,胎儿宫内死亡;1例行剖宫产、子宫切除术后立即实施Bentall＋Sun’s手术成功;1例先行剖宫产,保留子宫同期行升主动脉置换＋Sun’s手术。 结果 3例孕妇顺利恢复,病例2及病例3 的胎儿亦顺利恢复。术后6个月进行随访,CT （computerized tomographic） 检查提示主动脉夹层假腔血栓机化形成。3例产妇术后恢复佳,2例存活婴儿发育正常。 结论 妊娠期AAAD的治疗原则为：首先及时准确地诊断至关重要;其次保证母体血流动力学平稳;第三应保证止血确切;最后,多种方法联合应用对保证母体及胎儿的良好预后非常重要。     

急诊断流术治疗门脉高压症上消化道大出血的临床体会

目的探讨急诊断流术对肝硬化门脉高压症上消化道大出血的手术治疗效果。方法回顾性分析行急诊手术治疗的59例门静脉高压症食管胃底曲张静脉破裂大出血患者的临床资料,均行脾切除 食管胃底周围血管断流术,其中肝功能Child A级13例,B级34级,C级12例。术前均予三腔二囊管压迫止血,并采用善宁、可利新、立止血等药物治疗。无效者肝功能Child A、B级立即急诊手术,Child C级患者经护肝、抗休克等术前准备后于48 h内急诊手术。结果全组治愈率94.9%。术后2例死亡,术后再出血1例,经保守治疗治愈,此3例均为肝功能Child C级患者。随访42例,平均4.5(1~8)年,3例再发出血,死于肝功能衰竭3例,肝癌2例,余效果良好。结论对于肝硬化门脉高压症上消化道大出血患者,只要适应证掌握适当,果断采取急诊门奇断流手术,是挽救患者生命的重要措施。围手术期处理也很关键。     

胆石症合并肝硬化门静脉高压症术中和术后出血的处理

目的总结胆道结石合并门静脉高压症的术中及术后出血的处理经验。方法对2000年1月至2005年7月收治的45例胆道结石合并门静脉高压症并手术的病人进行回顾性分析。结果本组45例病人，治愈38例，死亡7例，病死率为15．6％。发生肝肾功能衰竭，MODS5例，胆囊床大出血2例。死亡病例与肝功能分级有明显关系，肝功能A级死亡1例（5．6％），B级死亡3例（16．7％），C级死亡3例（33．3％）。术后出血9例（20％），包括腹腔内出血6例，消化道出血3例。术后出血病人中6例死亡（66．7％）。结论对合并有门静脉高压症的胆石症病人，加强围手术期处理，可降低死亡率。急诊手术先处理胆道疾病，Child A级病人行腹腔镜手术是安全的。合并有门静脉高压症的胆道疾病者，先行断流加分流手术，再行胆道手术，是最安全的方法。     

脾肾分流加门奇断流术治疗门静脉高压症(附58例报告)

目的：探讨脾肾分流加门奇断流术治疗门静脉高压症的效果。方法：回顾性分析58例脾肾分流加门奇断流术的临床资料，其中男41例，女17例，平均年龄42．5岁；肝炎后肝硬变51例，务吸虫肝硬变7例；肝功能Child A级26例，B级28例，C级4例。行择期手术39例（ChildA级20例，B级18例，C级1例）；早期手术10例（Child A级3例，B级6例，C级1例）；急诊手术9例（Child A级3例，B级4例，C级2例）。结果：Child C级2例（3．4％）急诊手术死亡，其余均恢复，食管静脉曲张均消失或明显改善。19例术后不同程度肝功能损害和23例膈下积液、感染或胸腔积液，均经保守治疗治愈。48例得到5－10年随访，2例（3．4％）再出血，2例（3．4％）发生餐后脑病。结论：脾肾分流加门奇断流的联合手术应是目前治疗门静脉高压症的首选术式。     

肾下腹主动脉瘤的外科治疗

目的总结肾下腹主动脉瘤(AAA)的手术治疗经验。方法回顾性分析1999年7月至2011年10月行开腹手术治疗的91例肾下AAA患者的临床资料。84例接受择期手术,7例行急诊手术。结果 1例AAA破裂急诊手术患者因失血性休克、弥散性血管内凝血于术中死亡,1例破裂急诊手术患者术后1周因多脏器功能衰竭死亡,1例择期手术患者术后第3日因急性大面积心肌梗死而死亡。82例患者获得随访,平均随访时间5.1年,术后3年死于心肌梗死及脑梗死各1例;其余患者常规性腹部及血管彩超检查,其中远端吻合口闭塞2例,肠梗阻2例,未发现吻合口假性动脉瘤等其它并发症。结论开腹手术治疗AAA效果确切,因手术技巧、麻醉及术后监护水平等的提高,死亡率较低。     

Stanford A型主动脉夹层外科手术方法和疗效

目的探讨Stanfond A型主动脉夹层的手术方法，评价其疗效。方法回顾分析手术治疗108例Stanford A型主动脉夹层的临床资料，其中急诊手术53例，择期手术55例；深低温停循环（DHCA）下手术85例。手术包括升主动脉和半弓部置换或全弓置换（附加降主动脉支架人工血管置入术）以及“象鼻”手术；同期行弓部或降主动脉近端破口修补术、Bentall手术、主动脉瓣置换手术、Cabrol或改良Cabrol手术、主动脉瓣悬吊成形术、二尖瓣成形或二尖瓣置换术、三尖瓣环缩成形术和冠状动脉旁路移植术。结果住院死亡7例（6．5％），其中急诊手术死亡4例（7．5％），择期手术死亡3例（5．4％）。101例出院，96例随访1个月-13．3年，平均（3．2±1．3）年，晚期死亡2例，再次手术3例。结论Stanford A型的手术方法依病变部位不同而不同，准确掌握手术适应证，完善手术技术，加强术后处理，可以取得更好的手术效果。     

25例急诊心脏瓣膜置换术的临床分析

目的总结急诊心脏瓣膜置换治疗危重心脏瓣膜病患者的临床经验。方法回顾性分析2008年4月至2018年4月内科药物治疗无效的接受急诊手术治疗25例重症瓣膜病患者的临床资料(除外主动脉夹层、急诊搭桥同期行瓣膜手术及心脏肿物累及瓣膜手术的病例)。其中男14例、女11例,平均年龄(45.0±14.6)岁。均合并严重的心功能不全(Ⅳ级),8例术前需要机械通气。感染性心内膜炎11例,均可见明显赘生物,其中4例合并瓣周脓肿;瓣膜重度狭窄8例,急性瓣膜重度关闭不全6例,包括急性腱索断裂4例、二尖瓣成形术后失败再次急诊行置换术2例。所有患者均在急诊、全身麻醉、体外循环下行瓣膜置换术。结果所有25例患者手术后住院期间死亡6例(24.0%),其中5例死于多脏器功能衰竭,1例死于感染复发导致的败血症。另有1例术中出现Ⅲ度房室传导阻滞安装永久性起搏器;2例术后早期出现脑出血,经积极治疗后康复,其余均顺利出院。随访1～120个月,随访率100%(19/19),1例术后3个月出现肺部感染死亡,其余患者的心功能均改善明显(Ⅰ级3例,Ⅱ级15例)。结论手术指征明确的重症瓣膜患者在内科药物治疗无效时应积极选择急诊手术治疗,不仅能够挽救患者的生命,还能提高患者远期生存质量。     

胸腰椎转移性肿瘤的外科治疗

目的：探讨胸腰椎转移性肿瘤外科治疗的适应证和方法。方法：1988年2－2001年12月，手术治疗胸腰椎转移性肿瘤47例，男29例，女18例；年龄34－75岁，中位年龄58．5岁。肺癌12例、乳腺癌9例、甲状腺癌7例、前列腺癌5例、肝癌和肾癌各4例、胃癌1例、未发现原发灶5例。前路手术31例，前后联合入路全脊椎切除术11例，后路手术5例。术前Frankel分级：A级6例，B级9例，C级12例，D级13例，E级7例。结果：术后疼痛消失31例（67．39％），缓解12例（26．09％），无明显缓解3例（6．52％），1例术后3d死亡。41例获得随访，随访时间3个月－6年，平均38．2个月。33例死亡，存活8例。术后Frankel分级：A级2例，B级2例，C级3例，D级13例，E级21例。4例内固定松动，1例断裂。结论：胸腰椎转移性肿瘤的治疗根据患者的年龄、全身情况、预期寿命、肿瘤的位置和类型、对各种治疗的敏感性、脊柱的不稳定程度和神经症状综合考虑，手术治疗采用经前路、前后联合入路或后路手术，体现个体化治疗。     

Durability of aortic valve preservation and root reconstruction in acute type A aortic dissection

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the durability of aortic valve preservation and root reconstruction in type A aortic dissection with involvement of the aortic root. METHODS: From November 1976 to February 1999, 246 patients underwent surgical treatment for acute type A aortic dissection at our institution. In 121 patients (49%), all with acute type A dissection and aortic root involvement, the aortic valve was preserved and one or more of the sinuses of Valsalva were reconstructed. The mean age of this group was 59 +/- 11 years and 70 (58%) were men. Thirty patients (25%) were operated in cardiogenic shock. Criteria for aortic root reconstruction were technical feasibility and surgeon preference. Techniques used for reconstruction were valve resuspension in all patients and additional reinforcement of the aortic root with Teflon (L.R. Bard, Tempe, AZ) felt (n = 21), gelatin-resorcinol-formaldehyde-glue (GRF-glue, Fii, Saint-Just-Malmont, France) (n = 103), or fibrinous glue (Tissu-col, Immuno AG, Vienna, Austria) (n = 5). Mean follow-up was 43.5 +/- 46 months. RESULTS: The operative mortality was 21.5% (n = 26). Actuarial survival was 72% +/- 4%, 64% +/- 5%, and 53% +/- 6% at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Median aortic regurgitation in patients with retained native aortic valve at follow-up was 1+. All root reoperations included aortic valve replacement (n = 12). Freedom from aortic root reoperation was 95% +/- 2% at 1 year, 89% +/- 4% at 5 years, and 69% +/- 9% at 10 years. The incidence of aortic root reoperation was 23%, 11%, and 40%, respectively, when Teflon felt, GRF-glue, and fibrinous glue were used for root reconstruction. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed the use of fibrinous glue (RR = 8.7; p = 0.03) as well as the presence of an aortic valve annulus more than 27 mm (RR = 4.2; p = 0.04) as independent risk factors for aortic root reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic valve preservation in acute type A dissection provides relatively durable results. The use of fibrinous glue for root reconstruction seems to compromise the long-term durability of the repair compared with Teflon felt and GRF-glue. A dilated aortic annulus requires a more extensive root procedure.     

Operative risk factors of type A aortic dissection: analysis of 252 consecutive patients

OBJECTIVE: We examined operative risk factors for postoperative death after surgery for acute type A aortic dissection. METHODS: Between 1974 and 1999, 252 patients, 163 men and 89 women (mean+/-SD age, 58+/-12 years) underwent surgery for acute type A aortic dissection. Fifty-eight (23.0%) were in cardiogenic shock at time of surgery. Most patients underwent ascending aorta replacement which was combined with aortic valve replacement by means of a composite graft in 30 (11.9%) patients and an isolated aortic valve replacement in 16 (6.3%) patients. RESULTS: The overall operative mortality rate was 25.0% (n=63); 27.0% for patients operated upon with aortic cross-clamping, 23.7% after deep hypotherm circulatory arrest and 23.3% after antegrade selective cerebral perfusion (ASCP) (p=0.73). Multivariate analysis revealed iatrogenic dissection (p=0.0096, odds ratio=5.7), preoperative cardiopulmonary resuscitation (p=0.0095, odds ratio=5.5) and every quarter of an hour longer extracorporeal circulation (p=0.049, odds ratio=1.1) as independent risk factors for operative mortality. Aortic valve replacement or Bentall procedure (p=0.0185, odds ratio=0.3) were protective factors. There were 44 new postoperative strokes: 4.7% in the group operated upon with and 20.1% in the group without ASCP (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: In order to avoid cardiogenic shock and preoperative cardiopulmonary resuscitation, patients with acute type A aortic dissection should be treated promptly. The choice to use an aortic valve prosthesis or Bentall procedure when applicable seems to benefit the postoperative early survival. The risk of new postoperative neurological events might be reduced by avoiding the appliance of an aortic cross-clamp and by using ASCP.     

Endovascular Stent Grafting for Acute Thoracic Aortic Pathology

Abstract   Background: Endovascular repair of the thoracic aorta has shown reduced morbidity and mortality compared with open surgery. We describe our experience with endovascular stent grafting in the treatment of acute thoracic aortic pathology. Methods: From October 2003 to January 2008, 25 patients underwent endovascular stent graft repair of the thoracic aorta. The underlying pathology was a complicated Stanford type B dissection (n = 13), a symptomatic or ruptured thoracic aorta aneurysm (n = 6), a symptomatic penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer (n = 5), or a traumatic aortic injury (n = 1). There were 21 males and four female patients with a mean age of 61.3 years (30–91 years). Routine surveillance included clinical evaluation and contrast-enhanced spiral computed tomography scans before discharge and at 3, 6, and 12 months after the procedure and yearly thereafter. Results: Stent graft placement was technically successful in all patients. There was no intraoperative mortality. Hospital mortality was of two patients (8%). Paraparesis occurred in one patient (4%). Average intensive care unit and hospital stay was 1 and 10 days, respectively. The mean follow-up was 30 months (range, 7–53). Late mortality was in one patient (4%), due to a type A dissection. During the follow-up, four patients (16%) required a second procedure for type I endoleak. Conclusions: Mortality and morbidity in our small series were low. Close follow-up is mandatory and long-term results have to be awaited.     

Single-stage repair of extensive thoracic aortic aneurysms: experience with the arch-first technique and bilateral anterior thoracotomy

BACKGROUND: Staged procedures for extensive aneurysmal disease of the thoracic aorta are associated with a substantial cumulative mortality (>20%) that includes hospital mortality for the 2 procedures and death (often from aortic rupture) in the interval between the 2 procedures. We have used a single-stage technique for operative repair of most or all of the thoracic aorta. METHODS: Forty-six patients with extensive disease of the thoracic aorta were managed with a single-stage procedure by using a bilateral anterior thoracotomy and transverse sternotomy, hypothermic circulatory arrest, and reperfusion of the aortic arch vessels first to minimize brain ischemia. Thirty-one patients with chronic, expanding type A aortic dissections had previous operations for acute type A dissection (n = 22), aortic valve repair or replacement (n = 4), coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 4), or no previous operation (n = 1). The remaining 15 patients had degenerative aneurysms (n = 12) or chronic type B dissections with proximal extension (n = 3). The ascending aorta and aortic arch were replaced in all patients combined with resection of various lengths of descending aorta (proximal one third [n = 19], proximal two thirds to three quarters [n = 22], or all [n = 5]). Coronary artery bypass grafting, valve replacement, or both were performed concomitantly in 19 patients. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 6.5% (3 patients). Morbidity included reoperation for bleeding (17%), mechanical ventilation for more than 72 hours (42%), temporary tracheostomy (13%), and temporary renal dialysis (9%). No patient sustained a stroke. There have been 5 late deaths (3, 18, 34, 51, and 79 months postoperatively) unrelated to the aortic disease. Four patients have undergone successful reoperation on the aorta (false aneurysm [n = 1], endocarditis [n = 1], and progression of disease [n = 2]). Five-year survival was 75%. CONCLUSION: The single-stage, arch-first technique is a safe and suitable alternative to the 2-stage procedure for repair of extensive thoracic aortic disease.     

Up to 7 years' experience with valve-sparing aortic root remodeling/reimplantation for acute type A dissection

BACKGROUND: Aortic valve-sparing operations for acute type A dissection are appealing and innovative but less well defined surgical techniques requiring further evaluation. METHODS: We reviewed all consecutive patients with acute type A dissection who underwent either the remodeling (group 1, n = 21) or the reimplantation valve-sparing technique (group 2, n = 15) since October 1994. Patients were followed up clinically and echocardiographically for as long as 41.3 months (group 1) and 87 months (group 2). RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 19% (n = 4) for group 1 and 20% (n = 3) for group 2. Permanent new neurologic symptomatology occurred in 1 patient (3.6%). Three patients in group 1 required reoperation owing to redissection. No patient had an aortic insufficiency of more than grade 1. No late neurologic or thrombembolic events occurred. There was no statistically significant difference between both groups with respect to clinical and hemodynamic data. CONCLUSIONS: Remodeling and reimplantation aortic valve-preserving operations in acute type A dissection can be performed with adequate perioperative risk and excellent midterm aortic valve function. We found no evidence of one technique being superior to the other, however durability of the remodeling technique needs critical consideration especially in Marfan syndrome and when glue is used.     

Device related problems of thoracic stent-grafts

The outcome of the endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms seems to be device related. The presented study evaluated the outcome of endovascular procedure in cases of thoracic aortic pathology according to the implanted thoracic stent graft devices. METHODS: Since November 1999 a variety of thoracic aortic pathologies in 59 patients has been treated endovascularly. The median age of the cohort (53 males, 6 females) was 64 years (rang, 21 to 83). The patients presented the following aortic morphology: aneurysm n = 23, dissections with aneurysm n = 9, dissection without aneurysm n = 9, intramural hematoma n = 2, penetrating ulcers n = 2, transsection n = 8, false aneurysm n = 6. The underlying pathology was: atherosclerotic medial degeneration n = 25, acute dissection (< 14 days) n = 10, chronic dissection (> or = 14 days) n = 10, trauma n = 8, iatrogenic n = 6. Three patients presented the symptoms of aortic pulmonary fistulas; one patient was treated due to traumatic aortic oesophageal fistula. The used stent graft devices included the GORE TAG (n = 35), the Talent device (n = 13), the Cook device (Zenith TX 1: n = 5), and the Endofit device (n = 3). At three cases a home-made device (n = 1) or a combination of different stent grafts was implanted (Talent plus TAG, Talent plus TX1). Totally, 93 stent grafts were primarily implanted. RESULTS: The 30-day mortality was 1 / 59. One patient with acute dissection (Stanford type B) suffered from a per-procedural acute retrograde dissection leading to death in spite of the performed Bentall's procedure. Per-operatively, one patient showed cerebral ischemia, one other patient experienced a transsection of the external iliac artery due to the retraction of the introducer sheath, and another patient showed an extravasation of contrast dye. 24 hours following the endovascular procedure, one patient developed paraplegia without regression in spite of performing a spinal drainage. The passage of the introducer sheath of the primarily chosen device was impossible at three cases, in another three cases type I endoleaks were detectable, a type III endoleak was evident at another patient with formerly implanted multiple stent grafts. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS: The results of the endovascular procedures in treatment of thoracic aortic pathologies demonstrated typically device related problems and unwanted events. Various types of stent grafts, introducer sheaths, and delivery systems may be necessary to satisfy the different requirements for different indications.     

Early outcomes of thoracic endovascular stent-graft repair for acute complicated type B dissection using the Gore TAG endoprosthesis

We assessed the technical success and early outcome of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for complicated acute type B thoracic aortic dissection treated at a single institution using a commercially available device. All patients with symptomatic complicated acute type B thoracic aortic dissection treated with TEVAR since Food and Drug Administration approval of the Gore (Flagstaff, AZ) TAG endoprosthesis were identified from a prospectively maintained vascular registry. Clinical indications, operative technique, perioperative complications, follow-up imaging, and mortality were analyzed. Between March 2005 and November 2007, 127 TEVARs using the TAG endoprosthesis were performed, of which 15 (11.8%) were for complicated acute type B thoracic aortic dissection. Indications for repair were malperfusion (53%), persistent pain (27%), and primary aortic failure (33%). Technical feasibility and success with deployment proximal to the entry tear was 93.3%, requiring at least partial coverage of the left subclavian artery in seven (46.7%). Adjunctive procedures required at the time of TEVAR included renal stent (n = 2), iliac stent (n = 3), and access-artery open repair (n = 2). Twelve patients (80%) had immediate resolution of the malperfusion deficit. Major perioperative complications included paraplegia (13.3%), renal failure requiring hemodialysis (13.3%), and stroke (6.7%). Perioperative mortality was 13.3%, occurring in one patient presenting with rupture and one with profound heart failure on admission. For complicated acute type B thoracic aortic dissection, TEVAR using commercially available stent grafts showed high technical success, excellent results at resolving malperfusion, and acceptably low complications and perioperative mortality.     

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)     

Composite aortic root replacement in acute type A dissection: time to rethink the indications?

OBJECTIVE: The indications for aortic root replacement in acute type A dissection are unclear. We reviewed the immediate and long-term outcome of consecutive patients in a series in which a low-threshold policy of composite aortic root replacement had evolved. METHODS: From a prospectively compiled aortic surgery database, we identified 162 patients who had either supracoronary interposition grafting, Group A (n=89), or composite root replacement, Group B (n=73) for acute type A dissection. Patients receiving total arch replacements were excluded. Operative and clinical details were analyzed and patient survival was compared to an age and gender matched census cohort. Need for reoperation on the proximal or distal aorta was also noted. Follow-up totaled 795.5 patient-years. RESULTS: Hospital mortality rates were identical in both groups (12.3%: 11 deaths in group A; 9 in group B). Chronic pulmonary disease, diabetes, malperfusion, hemodynamic compromise and aortic root dilatation were independent risk factors for hospital death. Actuarial survival estimates at 1, 5 and 10 years were 79% (71-88%), 64% (53-75%), and 55% (41-68%) for group A, and 79% (70-86%), 73% (62-83%), and 65% (52-78%) for group B (P=0.48). Age and operative patency of the ascending false lumen were independent risk factors for death after hospital discharge. Proximal aortic reoperation was required for four patients in group A and none in group B (P=0.085). CONCLUSION: A strategy of replacement rather than repair of the dissected aortic root for specific indications in type A dissection yielded high survival and low proximal reoperation rates. These results support an aggressive policy of composite root replacement in acute type A dissection.     

Aortic fenestration for acute or chronic aortic dissection: an uncommon but effective procedure

BACKGROUND: Aortic fenestration is rarely required for patients with acute or chronic aortic dissection. To better define its role and the indications for its use and to evaluate its success at relieving organ or limb malperfusion, we reviewed our experience with direct fenestration of the aorta. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all consecutive aortic fenestrations performed between January 1, 1979, and December 31, 1999, was performed. Fourteen patients, 12 men and two women (mean age, 59.6 years; range, 43-81), underwent fenestration of the aorta. All patients were hypertensive and had a history of tobacco use. By Stanford classification, there were three type A and 11 type B patients. In the acute dissection group (n = 7), indications for surgery were malperfusion in six patients (leg ischemia, 4; renal ischemia, 5; bowel ischemia, 3) and intra-abdominal bleeding from rupture in two. In the chronic dissection group (n = 7), indications for surgery were abdominal aortic aneurysm in 4 patients (infrarenal, 3; pararenal, 1), thoracoabdominal aneurysm in 1, hypertension from coarctation of the thoracic aorta in 1, and aortic occlusion with disabling claudication in 1. RESULTS: Emergency aortic fenestration was performed in seven patients (surgically for 6 and percutaneously for 1). Fenestration level was infrarenal in four and pararenal in three. Concomitant abdominal aortic graft replacement was performed in four patients, combined with ascending aortic replacement (n = 1) and bilateral aortorenal bypasses (n = 1). In two patients, acute fenestration was performed for organ malperfusion after prior proximal aortic replacement (ascending aorta, 1; descending thoracic aorta, 1). Seven elective aortic fenestrations were performed for chronic dissection (descending thoracic aorta, 2; paravisceral aorta, 2; infrarenal aorta, 2 and pararenal aorta, 1). Concomitant aortic replacement was performed in six patients (abdominal aorta, 5; thoracoabdominal aorta, 1). Fenestration was successful at restoring flow in all 10 patients with malperfusion. Operative mortality for emergency fenestration was 43% (3/7). The three deaths that occurred were of patients with anuria or bowel ischemia, or both. There were no postoperative deaths for elective fenestration. At a mean follow-up of 5.1 years, there were no recurrences of malperfusion and no false aneurysm formations at the fenestration site. CONCLUSION: Fenestration of the aorta can effectively relieve organ or limb ischemia. Bowel ischemia and anuria are indicators of dismal prognosis and emergency fenestration in these patients carries a high mortality. Elective fenestration combined with aortic replacement can be performed safely in chronic dissection. Aortic fenestration is indicated for carefully selected patients with malperfusion and offers durable benefits.