Surgical outcomes of total arch replacement with modified elephant trunk technique in type A aortic dissection: insights from single-center experience

Background Total arch replacement with modified elephant trunk technique plays an important role in treating acute type A aortic dissection in China. We aim to summarize the therapeutic effects of this procedure in our center over a 17-year period. Methods Consecutive patients treated at our hospital due to type A aortic dissection from January 2004 to January 2021 were studied. Relevant data of these patients undergoing total arch replacement with modified elephant trunk technique were collected and analyzed. Results A total of 589 patients were included with a mean age of 53.1 ± 12.2 years. The mean of cardiopulmonary bypass, cross-clamping, and selected cerebral perfusion time were 199.6 ± 41.9, 119.0 ± 27.2, and 25.1 ± 5.0 min, respectively. In-hospital death occurred in 46 patients. Multivariate analysis identified four significant risk factors for in-hospital mortality: preexisting renal hypoperfusion (OR 5.43; 95% CI 1.31 – 22.44; P = 0.020), cerebral malperfusion (OR 11.87; 95% CI 4.13 – 34.12; P < 0.001), visceral malperfusion (OR 4.27; 95% CI 1.01 – 18.14; P = 0.049), and cross-clamp time ≥ 130 min (OR 3.26; 95% CI 1.72 – 6.19; P < 0.001). The 5, 10, and 15 years survival rates were 86.4%, 82.6%, and 70.2%, respectively. Conclusions Total arch replacement with modified elephant trunk technique is an effective treatment for acute type A aortic dissection with satisfactory perioperative results. Patients with preexisting renal hypoperfusion, cerebral malperfusion, visceral malperfusion, and long cross-clamp time are at a higher risk of in-hospital death.

Association Between Preoperative Monocyte to High-Density Lipoprotein Ratio on In-hospital and Long-Term Mortality in Patients Undergoing Endovascular Repair for Acute Type B Aortic Dissection

Aims: The monocyte to high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR), a novel marker of inflammation and cardiovascular events, has recently been found to facilitate the diagnosis of acute aortic dissection. This study aimed to assess the association of preoperative MHR with in-hospital and long-term mortality after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for acute type B aortic dissection (TBAD).Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 637 patients with acute TBAD who underwent TEVAR from a prospectively maintained database. Multivariable logistic and cox regression analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between preoperative MHR and in-hospital as well as long-term mortality. For clinical use, MHR was modeled as a continuous variable and a categorical variable with the optimal cutoff evaluated by receiver operator characteristic curve for long-term mortality. Propensity score matching was used to diminish baseline differences and subgroups analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the results.Results: Twenty-one (3.3%) patients died during hospitalization and 52 deaths (8.4%) were documented after a median follow-up of 48.1 months. The optimal cutoff value was 1.13 selected according to the receiver operator characteristic curve (sensitivity 78.8%; specificity 58.9%). Multivariate analyses showed that MHR was independently associated with either in-hospital death [odds ratio (OR) 2.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16-3.85, P = 0.015] or long-term mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 1.78, 95% CI 1.31-2.41, P &lt; 0.001). As a categorical variable, MHR &gt; 1.13 remained an independent predictor of in-hospital death (OR 4.53, 95% CI 1.44-14.30, P = 0.010) and long-term mortality (HR 4.16, 95% CI 2.13-8.10, P &lt; 0.001). Propensity score analyses demonstrated similar results for both in-hospital death and long-term mortality. The association was further confirmed by subgroup analyses.Conclusions: MHR might be useful for identifying patients at high risk of in-hospital and long-term mortality, which could be integrated into risk stratification strategies for acute TBAD patients undergoing TEVAR.

Durable results of preserved valve and root after acute type A aortic dissection surgery in bicuspid aortic valve

Background and aims of the study. Data on emergency surgery for acute type A aortic dissection in patients with bicuspid aortic valve were limited. Long-term results on the fate of the preserved bicuspid valve and aortic root were even rare. We sought to assess the clinical outcome of emergency acute type A aortic dissection surgery in patients with bicuspid aortic valve. Methods. From 2004 to 2021, 121 patients underwent emergency surgery for acute type A aortic dissection using a conservative aortic resection. Hospital and late outcomes were assessed in patients with bicuspid aortic valve. Results. Eight patients (6.6%) had bicuspid aortic valve with 6 males (75%) and median age of 49.5 years (range, 34 to 71). Four (50%) had significant aortic valve dysfunction. Operation included ascending aortic grafting with aortic valve preservation in 4, ascending aortic grafting with aortic valve replacement in 3 and ascending aortic grafting with Bentall root replacement in 1. Hospital mortality rate was 12.5% (1/8). With a median follow-up of 14.4 years, there was one late death and no proximal reoperation of 6 preserved roots and 3 preserved valves. Median diameter of preserved aortic roots changed from 42 (range, 33-43) to 38.5 mm (range, 35-46) with the average time of 11 years after surgery. Conclusions. Acute type A aortic dissection in bicuspid aortic valve was not associated with worse outcome. Aortic valve replacement was often required. Simultaneous root replacement was not always necessary. Preservation of normally functioning bicuspid valve and non-dilated root showed durable long-term results.

Endovascular Treatment of Aortic Pathologies in Patients With Marfan Syndrome: Single-Center Experience

Objectives: To study the outcome of endovascular treatment of aortic pathologies in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS) at a single institution. Methods: Consecutive MFS patients who underwent endovascular repair or hybrid procedures for aortic pathologies from January 2010 to May 2020 were identified. Several endovascular and hybrid strategies have been used. Technical success, short- and mid-term survival, complications, and re-interventions were retrospectively analyzed. Results: During the study period, 24 patients with MFS (median age, 48 [13–78] years; 58% males) were treated. Indications for intervention were chronic aortic dissection with aneurysm degeneration in 16 patients (67%), acute type B aortic dissection in 4 patients (17%), aortic aneurysm without any dissection in 3 patients (13%), and aortic intramural hematoma in 1 patient (4%). Most patients were asymptomatic (83%), three (13%) were symptomatic and one (4%) had a contained rupture. The median aneurysm diameter was 56 (35–86) mm. Hybrid procedures were performed in 7 (29%) patients. Thoracic endovascular repair was performed in 12 (50%) patients, a fenestrated or branched endovascular aortic repair in 4 (17%) patients, and placement of an iliac artery stent-graft in 1 (4%) patient. Procedures were staged in 12 (50%) patients. Technical success was achieved in all patients. The median intensive care unit stay was 6 (range, 1–30) days, and the median hospital stay was 23 (range, 3–112) days. Early mortality was reported in 1 (4%) patient. Wound infection was seen in 7 (29%) patients and gastrointestinal complications in 3 (13%) patients. The median follow-up was 42 (range, 1–127) months. The cumulative survival rate was 87% at 24 months. The cumulative freedom from re-intervention was 77% at 12 months. Conclusions: Endovascular treatment of aortic pathologies in patients with MFS appears feasible with acceptable early and mid-term outcomes in terms of mortality and re-intervention rates. Endovascular therapy plays an increasing role in MFS patients with aortic pathology.