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Background: We retrospectively evaluated early and intermediate outcomes of hybrid repair of complex thoracic aortic diseases involving an aberrant right subclavian artery. This paper aims to report features and available treatment options for this rare, hard-to-diagnose, and manage, aorta-related vascular condition., Methods: Between January 2012 and May 2019, 13 patients (mean age, 60.1 ± 9.3 years; nine men) underwent complex thoracic aorta repair surgery. Six patients had a thoracic aortic aneurysm, two had type A aortic dissection, and five had complicated type B aortic dissection. Hybrid repair strategies included de-branching in combination with single-stage aortic arch replacement with the frozen elephant trunk technique performed in four patients, thoracic endovascular aortic repair in six patients, and 2-stage hybrid repair consisting of a total arch replacement with a conventional/frozen elephant trunk (first stage) and subsequent endovascular repair (second stage) in three patients., Results: One early death occurred: a patient with acute type A aortic dissection, who underwent Bentall procedure and aortic arch replacement with the frozen elephant trunk technique, died in-hospital of multiorgan failure 41 days after the procedure. The remaining 12 patients were discharged in stable condition. The median follow-up duration was 36 months (2-71 months). Two late mortalities occurred: a patient with residual type A aortic dissection, who underwent arch replacement with the frozen elephant trunk technique, died of intracranial hemorrhage 3 months after the surgery. And 72 years old female patient died of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 2 months after the surgery., Conclusion: Our study indicates that various hybrid strategies can be used to treat complex thoracic aortic diseases involving an aberrant right subclavian artery. The approach of choice depends on the features of disease pathology, the aortic segments involved, and the operating surgeon's experience., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Objectives: We evaluate long-term symptomatic improvement in vascular ring patients who underwent thoracoscopic division at a single quaternary pediatric surgery center., Methods: All pediatric patients who underwent vascular ring division without Kommerell's diverticulum resection between 01/2007-12/2022 were included. Surgeries were performed by pediatric general and thoracic surgeons. Patient demographic and clinical characteristics were obtained from retrospective chart review. Data on long-term symptomatic improvement were collected with structured telephone interviews., Results: 60% of patients were male. Median age at operation was 24 months (IQR: 11, 60 months) with a median weight of 11.3 kg (IQR: 8.7, 19.8 kg). All patients were symptomatic preoperatively with dysphagia being the most frequent complaint (42%), followed by chronic cough (21%). Of 41 patients eligible for the long-term follow-up survey, 8 patients with a primary diagnosis of a double arch with an atretic segment in the non-dominant arch and 9 with a right dominant arch with left ligamentum arteriosum and aberrant left subclavian artery (LSCA) were contacted and consented for participation. Median interval from surgery to survey completion was 95 months (IQR 28, 135 months). Most patients had no, or only minor, symptoms related to breathing and swallowing at the time of long-term follow-up. 88% of patients experienced postoperative symptom improvement, and only one patient reported worsening of symptoms over time., Conclusion: Division of an atretic arch and/or ligamentum for patients with an aberrant LSCA without Kommerell's resection may be adequate to ensure long-term improvement of breathing and swallowing problems attributable to vascular rings., Level of Evidence: Level IV., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest We have no competing interests to declare., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Few studies describe outcomes after complete vascular ring surgery in a comprehensive manner., Objectives: This study sought to describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic work-up, operative approach, and outcomes in children undergoing surgery for complete vascular rings., Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study includes consecutive patients (January 1990 through September 2023) undergoing primary surgery for complete vascular rings, or rerepair after primary surgery elsewhere. The primary outcome of interest was complete (as distinct from partial) symptom resolution at latest clinic follow-up. Our current preference is to pursue a comprehensive initial operation including adjunctive vascular and airway procedures targeting common causes of residual aerodigestive symptoms, such as Kommerell diverticulum resection and tracheobronchopexy. Preoperative work-up routinely involved computed tomographic angiography, dynamic bronchoscopy, and laryngoscopy., Results: Of 515 patients (including 39 rerepairs), the most common diagnoses were right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery and left ligamentum arteriosum (n = 323, 62.7%) and double aortic arch (n = 174, 33.8%). There was no perioperative mortality. Chylothorax occurred in 28 patients (5.4%), vocal cord dysfunction in 22 patients (4.3%), and diaphragm paralysis in 2 patients (0.4%). Follow-up was available on 453 patients (88.0%) with a median duration of 3.0 years (Q1-Q3: 0.6-9.2 years). At latest clinic follow-up, 429 patients (94.7%) reported complete symptom resolution. The risk of reoperation for residual or recurrent aerodigestive symptoms was 9.6% (95% CI: 5.7%-13.5%) at 10 years and 12.4% at 20 years (95% CI: 6.9%-17.8%)., Conclusions: Surgery for complete vascular rings provides good symptomatic relief with low risk of complications, whereas reoperations for aerodigestive symptoms are infrequent., Competing Interests: Funding Support and Author Disclosures The authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Kommerell's diverticulum (KD) is associated with a high incidence of right-sided aortic arch (RAA). Hybrid thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is an effective and less invasive alternative to open repair. However, the long-term results regarding KD diameter regression or symptom improvement remain inadequately described., Methods: Nine patients underwent TEVAR for KD associated with RAA between January 2016 and September 2023 at our university hospital and affiliated institutions. A hybrid procedure was performed to exclude KD by blocking the proximal blood flow with TEVAR and distal blood flow with embolization of the aberrant subclavian artery. Simultaneously, extra-anatomical bypass surgery was performed to revascularize the covered supraarch vessels., Results: The patients' mean age was 65.2 years, and 6 patients were men. Two patients presented with dysphagia, whereas the rest were asymptomatic. The mean diameter and distance to the opposite aortic wall (OAW) of KD were 32.1 mm and 56.2 mm, respectively. For revascularization of the covered supraarch vessels, 6 and 2 patients underwent total debranching with sternotomy and extra-thoracic bypass (bilateral common carotid artery-axial artery bypass), respectively. The 30-day and in-hospital mortality rates were 0%, with no instances of cerebral infarction or spinal cord ischemia. The mean follow-up period was 3.2 years. The survival and avoidance rates of aortic events were 100% at 1 and 3 years. Follow-up computed tomography scans showed no endoleaks; however, 1 (11.1%) type 2 endoleak from the aberrant left subclavian artery occurred 1 week postoperatively, necessitating additional coiling. Seven patients were followed up for more than 1 year, with 5 experiencing reductions of more than 3 mm in KD diameter, distance to the OAW, or both., Conclusions: Although further follow-up and investigations are needed, TEVAR may be a safe and effective surgical treatment for KD associated with RAA., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Right sided aortic arches with concomitant aberrant left subclavian arteries are exceedingly rare anatomical variants. We present a case of a 45 year old male that presented with symptoms consistent with dysphagia and known right sided aortic arch with an aberrant left subclavian artery. Though previous reports of repair have indeed been reported, we confirm that a hybrid approach to these anatomic variants remain feasible and with symptom resolution for patients., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Objectives: An aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) is one of the most common anatomic variants of the aortic arch. The combination of an ARSA and a transection is naturally rare., Methods: This case report describes the treatment of a transection in the presence of an ARSA and the follow-up of two years., Results: We successfully treated the contained rupture with a stentgraft. Both subclavian arteries had to be covered in the emergency setting. At the two-year follow-up, the patient did not suffer from any neurological impairment., Conclusions: In emergency settings, primary cover of both subclavian arteries with a stentgraft can be performed in individual cases after risk assessment. Severe complications such as development of upper limb ischaemia, ASAS or reduced perfusion of the posterior cerebral circulation should be considered in treatment planning., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Objective: In this retrospective study, we presented the results of Castor single-branched stent-graft in a small series of patients with acute type B aortic syndrome and aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA)., Methods: Between January 2019 and November 2019, 5 patients were diagnosed with acute type B aortic syndrome and ARSA (4 patients with intramural hematoma and ARSA, 1 patient with type B aortic dissection and ARSA). All the patients underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) using Castor single-branched stent-graft. In-hospital and 3-month outcomes were collected., Results: The mean operative time was 116 ± 20.43 minutes (range 90-145). All the TEVAR procedures were successfully performed without conversion to open surgery (100% success rate). All the ARSAs of the 5 patients were revascularized in situ by Castor single-branched stent-grafts. No deaths and complications were observed in the 3-month follow-up. The maximal diameters of diseased aortas in the 4 patients with IMH decreased 3 months after TEVAR. The false lumen in the graft-covered segment was completely thrombosed in the patient with type B aortic dissection., Conclusions: Castor single-branched stent-graft may be a good choice in treatment of acute type B aortic syndrome and aberrant right subclavian artery.

Objective: Aberrant subclavian artery (ASA), a well-described aortic arch anomaly, is frequently associated with dysphagia and development of Kommerell diverticulum (KD) with aneurysmal degeneration. Historically, open repair has been performed, which can be associated with significant morbidity. More recently, hybrid approaches using different arch vessel revascularization techniques in combination with thoracic endovascular aortic repair (hybrid TEVAR) have been described, but there is a paucity of literature describing outcomes. The objective of this analysis was to describe our experience with management of complicated ASAs using hybrid TEVAR, further adding to the literature describing approaches to and outcomes of hybrid ASA repair., Methods: A retrospective, single-institution review was performed of all patients treated for ASA complications using hybrid TEVAR (2002-2018). The primary end point was technical success, defined as absence of type I or type III endoleak intraoperatively and within 30 days postoperatively. Secondary end points included complications, reintervention, and survival. Centerline measurement of KD diameters (maximum diameter = opposing aortic outer wall to diverticulum apex) was employed. Kaplan-Meier methodology was used to estimate secondary end points., Results: Eighteen patients (1.4% of 1240 total TEVAR procedures; male, 67%; age, 59 ± 13 years) were identified (left-sided arch and right ASA, 94% [n = 17]; right-sided arch and left ASA, n = 1 [6%]; retroesophageal location and associated KD, 100%); median preoperative KD diameter was 60 mm (interquartile range [IQR], 37-108 mm). Operative indications included diverticulum diameter (61%), dysphagia (17%), rupture (11%), rapid expansion (6%), and endoleak after TEVAR (6%). All procedures used some combination of supraclavicular revascularization and TEVAR (staged, 50% [n = 9]), whereas partial open arch reconstruction was used in 17% (n = 3). There were no perioperative deaths or spinal cord ischemic events. Major complications occurred in 22% (n = 4): nondisabling stroke, one; arm ischemia, one; upper extremity neuropathy, one; and iatrogenic descending thoracic aortic dissection, one. Technical success was 83%, but 44% (n = 8) had an endoleak (type I, n = 3; type II, n = 5 [intercostal, n = 2; aneurysmal subclavian artery origin, n = 3]) during follow-up (median, 4 months; IQR, 1-15 months). Two endoleaks resolved spontaneously, three were treated, and three were observed (1-year freedom from reintervention, 75% ± 10%). Median KD diameter decreased by 7 mm (IQR, 1-12 mm), and 78% (n = 14) experienced diameter reduction or stability in follow-up. The 1- and 3-year survival was 93% ± 6% and 84% ± 10%, respectively., Conclusions: Hybrid open brachiocephalic artery revascularization with TEVAR appears to be safe and reasonably effective in management of ASA complications as evidenced by a low perioperative complication risk and reasonable positive aortic remodeling. However, endoleak rates raise significant concerns about durability. Therefore, if this technique is employed, the mandatory need for surveillance and high rate of reintervention should be emphasized preoperatively. This analysis represents a relatively large series of a hybrid TEVAR technique to treat ASA complications, but greater patient numbers and longer follow-up are needed to further establish the role of this procedure., (Copyright © 2020 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aberrant subclavian artery (arteria lusoria) is the most common congenital malformation of the aortic arch in the general population. As patients are more often asymptomatic, indications for correcting this abnormality, even in those having dysphagia, are very vague. While presenting a case of a 10-year-old girl who suffered from dysphagia lusoria for 2 years before being cured by a simple surgical translocation, we review the literature and debate various aspects of its management from diagnosis to surgery and cosmesis., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Incidence of anomalies of the aortic arch is estimated 1-2 per cent in newborn babies. Lusory artery may arise either from left sided aortic arch in 0.7–2 per cent, or from right sided aortic arch in 0.4 per cent. Leading symptoms develop from compression of the oesophagus or trachea, or both. If lusory artery dilates conically over the time reaching 3 cm or more we call it Kommerell diverticulum. Very rare complications of this are the Type B aortic dissection, which may turn into chronic thoracoabdominal aneurysm, or its shaggy inner surface can be the source of upper extremity embolism. Rupture is extremely rare complication. In our report we focus on five cases of the mentioned complications with their clinical workups and technical solutions. In a female patient with right sided arch transection of the lusory artery was followed by transposition into the right common carotid artery. The central stump 10 years later gradually expanded and the saccular aneurysm indicated intervention. After complete arch debranching thoracic endograft was implanted. In this group of patients with variable surgical and hybrid procedures neither complication nor mortality occurred.

Objective: As elastin fibres in the aorta deteriorate with age, the descending thoracic aorta (DTA) becomes longer and more tortuous. In patients with DTA aneurysms, this increased tortuosity may result in a hostile haemodynamic environment for thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). The objective of this study was to analyse how increased tortuosity affects haemodynamic displacement forces (DFs) in different segments of the DTA in patients with DTA aneurysms (DTAAs)., Methods: Thirty patients with DTAAs were selected to form three equal groups based on the maximum tortuosity of their DTA: low < 30°, moderate 30°-60°, and high > 60°. Computational fluid dynamics simulations were performed to calculate DFs in all patients. Image based segmentations were carried out to create patient specific models of the aortic geometry. When physiological simulation results were obtained, the haemodynamic DFs on the aortic wall were calculated in four segments of the DTA (zones 4A - D). To enable comparison of DFs in different segments, the DF was normalised by the aortic wall surface area, the equivalent surface traction (EST)., Results: The mean age was 73 years, with 67% male. In zone 4C, where most tortuosity occurs, the EST in patients with high tortuosity was more than three times higher, than those with low tortuosity (low, 743 N/m 2 ; moderate, 956 N/m 2 ; high, 2294 N/m 2 ; p = .004). These differences could be attributed to the higher sideways components of the DF vectors, which were more than two times greater in patients with high tortuosity than in patients with low or moderate tortuosity (low, 5.01 N; moderate, 5.50 N; high, 13.21 N; p = .009)., Conclusion: High tortuosity results in increased displacement forces in the distal segments of the DTA. These forces should be taken into account when planning for TEVAR, as potentially they increase the risk of stent graft related complications, such as migration and endoleak., (Copyright © 2019 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

We describe a neonate with an unusual vascular ring formed by a right-sided aortic arch with associated coarctation and distal hypoplasia in the presence of an aberrant left subclavian artery. The descending aorta traveled behind the esophagus to descend on the left side of the spine. A left ductus arteriosus connected to the descending aorta completing the vascular ring, with notable esophageal compression. Surgical correction was accomplished through median sternotomy, resection of the hypoplastic circumflex arch, aortic arch advancement, and end-to-side anastomosis.

Intrathoracic left subclavian to common carotid artery translocation is advocated for patients undergoing vascular ring division in the setting of an enlarged Kommerell's diverticulum and aberrant left subclavian artery. This approach poses technical challenges in larger patients and patients with unfavorable body habitus. Supraclavicular left subclavian artery to common carotid translocation greatly simplifies this procedure in select patients.

A right aortic arch with an aberrant left subclavian artery and a Kommerell's diverticulum represents a rare anatomic variant carrying the risk of dissection or rupture. Resection of the diverticulum and re-implantation of the left subclavian artery during childhood have been recommended. Because of the risk of cerebral blood flow reduction during the aberrant subclavian artery re-implantation to the common carotid artery, monitoring and prompt measures to curb blood flow reduction are required. A 5-month-old boy was scheduled to undergo resection surgery. During the translocation of the aberrant subclavian artery to the common carotid artery, his regional oxygen saturation (rSO 2 ) in the left cerebrum began to decrease. We increased the end-tidal CO 2 (EtCO 2 ), mean arterial pressure, and a fraction of inspired oxygen, successfully restoring the rSO 2 to the initial level. No postoperative neurological complications were observed. Our experience with this patient suggests that rSO 2 monitoring is a useful, and intervention protocol including hypercapnia, elevated mean arterial pressure, and hyperoxia to counter the decreased cerebral blood flow is effective in infant patients undergoing right-sided aortic arch surgery.

Background: An aberrant right subclavian artery which arises from the proximal descending aorta may result in aortic dissection. The dissection may occur at either the site of the primary intimal tear or from an aortic branch. These conditions may lead to blood flow limitation and possible aneurysmal degeneration in the future., Case Presentation: We described the clinical presentation and management of a 54-year old patient diagnosed with a rare case of an aberrant right subclavian artery with Stanford Type B aortic dissection. A hybrid surgical approach was successfully performed and the patient had an uneventful recovery., Conclusion: Even though aortic dissection is often an incidental finding, this case highlighted that in rare situations, it can be associated with an aberrant right subclavian artery. It is important to disseminate this association as it has profound diagnostic and therapeutic implications in safeguarding the clinical outcomes of patients with such condition.

Background: To describe staging surgery for the treatment of a patient with aortic arch aneurysm combined with aberrant bilateral subclavian artery, persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC), and airway compression., Case Report: A 42-year-old female was hospitalized for aortic arch aneurysm involving aberrant bilateral subclavian artery, PLSVC, and airway compression. The patient's aneurysm was successfully treated by stage I surgery, including total aortic arch replacement and stented elephant trunk procedure and stage II surgery, including tracheal stenting and tracheotomy. Aortic CTA examination showed an unobstructed lumen and a good stent position without tracheal stent migration. Regular postoperative follow-up showed no complications, such as dyspnea, cough, and sputum, or other discomfort symptoms., Conclusions: Total aortic arch replacement, elephant trunk surgery, and second-stage tracheal stent surgery are effective and safe for the treatment of aortic arch aneurysm combined with aberrant bilateral subclavian artery, PLSVC, and airway compression.

Reconstruction of the aortic arch in type B interruption requires extensive mobilization of the descending aorta and the proximal branches of the arch to perform a tension-free anastomosis. The association of a coexistent type II aortopulmonary window and an aberrant subclavian artery reduces the degree of mobility that can be achieved by dissection alone, and it usually entails sacrifice of the aberrant artery to achieve satisfactory mobilization. We report a novel technique to use the aberrant subclavian artery as autologous tissue in the reconstruction of the aortic arch for repair of type B interruption associated with type II aortopulmonary window., (Copyright © 2019 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Backround: The right aortic arch and aortic coarctation are rare congenital anomalies with the incidence of 0.1% and 0.03-0.04%. We present a case report of a 51-year-old woman with the right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery and coarctation of the aorta with post-stenotic aneurysm., Case Presentation: Resection of the coarctation and aneurysm with replacement by tubular prosthesis was performed on partial cardiopulmonary bypass via femoral vessels., Conclusion: Partial cardiopulmonary bypass is an applicable method for ensuring the perfusion of the distal part of the body and an aberrant left subclavian artery is not a contraindication of this technique.

Kommerell diverticulum (KD) with aberrant left subclavian artery (ALSA) is a rare congenital variation of vascular structure. We reported a case of 3-year-old boy with KD and ALSA, which was preliminarily diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography and verified by computed tomography angiography (CTA). The patient was treated successfully with KD resection and anastomosed the left subclavian artery directly to the left carotid artery under cardiopulmonary bypass. Our case illustrates that echocardiography and CTA should be used to comprehensively assess all the internal and external cardiac structures in order to determine the appropriate surgical plan., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Kommerell's diverticulum with a right aortic arch and aberrant left subclavian artery is a rare anomaly, and the optimal operative strategy has not yet been established. In particular, the approach to the diverticulum is controversial, with the greatest concern being whether or not to add a right thoracotomy to the median sternotomy for distal anastomosis. We successfully performed total arch replacement through a median sternotomy only, by referring to preoperative computed tomography. We think that if the aneurysm is in a shallow position from the tracheal bifurcation, total arch replacement is possible with a midline incision only.

We present a case of Kommerell's diverticulum with the aberrant left subclavian artery and a right-sided aortic arch in a 70-year-old male patient who was treated with total arch replacement using the Gelweave Lupiae graft. The Lupiae graft fitted well to total arch replacement for this pathology because the structure was consistent with the anatomical features.

Background: Left aberrant subclavian artery (LASA), is a type of right aortic arch (RAA) branching, which takes-off distally to the right subclavian artery and usually crosses behind the esophagus to the left upper limb. Taking into account the rarity of RAA, LASA is much more rarely seen than the right aberrant subclavian artery (RASA) originating from the left aortic arch. However, RAA may be associated with much more frequent presence of LASA, than left aortic arch with RASA. Anatomical LASA characteristics were not described up to date., Methods: Individual patient records filed in the electronic database from a single high-volume tertiary cardiac center were retrospectively screened for the presence of RAA in the consecutive patients who underwent chest computed tomography from 2008 to 2016., Results: 14 patients with LASA were identified. Only 3 were free of coexisting intra- or extra-cardiac anomalies. The most common defect was tetralogy of Fallot (3 patients). One patient had five congenital defects. Kommerell's diverticulum (KD) was present in 9 patients. In all patients the LASA course was retrotracheal and retroesophageal. In all but one patients esophageal modelling or compression by KD or LASA was present., Conclusions: Knowledge of Kommerell's diverticulum presence and morphology as well as the LASA course during preinterventional work-up of patients with congenital heart defects is critical, since it may have surgical implications during corrective procedures., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Cardiovascular malformations are frequently associated in patients with esophageal atresia (EA). We observed azygos continuation mimicking an aortic arch anomaly in four newborns with type III EA. They presented concomitant rib anomalies indicating a common developmental defect. Foreknowledge is important for planning thoracotomy or interventional cardiac catheterization in this population., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A 7-week-old, 1.045kg female beagle dog was referred to investigate a supposed vascular ring anomaly. Cone beam computed tomography with contrast enhanced arterial phase accomplished by a rapid manual intravenous injection of iodinated agent during the scanning process revealed a persistent right aortic arch and an aberrant left subclavian artery that compressed dorsally the esophagus in the cranial mediastinum. Third left intercostal thoracotomy was performed to transect the left subclavian artery. This is the first description of a vascular ring anomaly that was diagnosed with a cone beam computed tomography in veterinary medicine., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Kommerell diverticulum is a rare aortic arch anomaly. The indications for operative intervention and surgical strategy are still controversial. The standard surgical procedure at our institution is total aortic arch plus descending aortic replacement using anterolateral thoracotomy with partial sternotomy. The aberrant subclavian artery is reconstructed anatomically or extraanatomically., Methods: From 2002 to 2014, 6 patients (1 woman), aged 55 to 78 years, underwent graft replacement through an anterolateral thoracotomy or anterolateral thoracotomy with a partial sternotomy approach for Kommerell diverticulum. All patients underwent graft replacement of the descending aorta or total aortic arch plus descending aorta in addition to aberrant subclavian artery reconstruction., Results: No hospital deaths or major complications occurred. Recurrent nerve injury developed at discharge in 1 patient. All patients were well during the follow-up period (range, 11 to 116 months)., Conclusions: Kommerell diverticulum and its associated symptoms were surgically treated with acceptable outcomes., (Copyright © 2017 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Aberrant right subclavian artery is an uncommon entity incidence ranging from 0.5 to 2.5%. Management of thoracic aortic injury in the presence of such anomalies can be a challenge. We present here a case of traumatic aortic injury, which was incidentally found to have an asymptomatic aberrant right subclavian artery. The patient was managed by an endovascular repair of thoracic aortic injury with an endograft and a right carotid to subclavian artery bypass as a hybrid procedure., Methods: A 40-year male patient was brought to the emergency in shock with an alleged history of road traffic accident an hour back. After initial resuscitation as per advance trauma life support protocol, imaging revealed thoracic aortic injury with aberrant right subclavian artery with multiple rib and bilateral humerus fracture. After primary stabilization of arm fractures, the patient was shifted to a hybrid operation room. As the aortic injury was within 10 mm of the origin of both subclavian arteries, it was decided to cover the origin of both subclavian arteries and land the endograft distal to the left carotid artery origin. Since there was a right dominant vertebral artery on imaging, right carotid to right subclavian artery bypass was done with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft to prevent posterior circulatory stroke along with thoracic endovascular aortic repair to seal the thoracic aortic injury., Results: After endovascular repair of thoracic aortic injury, left subclavian artery perfusion was maintained through left vertebral artery; and hence, revascularization of left subclavian artery was deferred. After management of all fractures, the patient was discharged 3 weeks after the date of admission without any complications. At 6 months follow-up, patient was stable and images showed patent bypass graft and sealed aortic injury., Conclusions: In a trauma setting with multiple injuries, hybrid procedure with a thoracic endograft is associated with low mortality and morbidity; hence, it is the treatment of choice for thoracic aortic injury over open surgical repair. A hybrid suite can be life and time saving in situations which mandate simultaneous endovascular repair along with surgical revascularization when indicated, especially in cases with aberrant aortic arch anatomy., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Complete vascular rings are rare and cause tracheoesophageal compression. Following surgical division, some patients have persisting tracheomalacia. We aim to assess the long-term outcomes of complete vascular ring division., Methods: All patients (n = 132) who underwent surgical division of a complete vascular ring between 1978 and 2014 were identified from the hospital database and retrospectively reviewed., Results: Complete vascular rings consisted of a double aortic arch (n = 80), right aortic arch with an aberrant subclavian artery and left ligamentum arteriosum (n = 50), right aortic arch with mirror image branching and left ligamentum arteriosum (n = 1), and a left aortic arch with right descending aorta and right ligamentum arteriosum (n = 1). Kommerell's diverticulum was identified in 10 patients. Preoperative tracheomalacia was identified via bronchoscopy in 25 patients. Concomitant tracheal reconstruction was not performed in any patient. Kommerell's diverticulum was resected in 1 patient. The hospital mortality rate was 1.5% (2/132). There were no late deaths. The overall survival rate was 98.3 ± 1.2% (95% CI: 93.4, 99.6) at 20 years. Postoperatively, persistent tracheal compression was reported in 3 patients, and tracheomalacia in 16 patients. The rate of freedom from reoperation was 88.6 ± 4.0% (95% CI: 77.9, 94.3) at 20 years. No patient required tracheal surgery during the follow-up period. Follow-up was 92% (121/132) complete, with a median follow-up of 11.4 years (range 44 days to 36 years). At the last follow-up, 7 patients had mild tracheomalacia., Conclusions: Outcomes of division of a complete vascular ring are excellent. Tracheomalacia often improves following division of the vascular ring. Respiratory symptoms following complete vascular ring division are uncommon., (© The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

A 48-year-old woman was seen in a surgical outpatient clinic with a 2 year history of progressive dysphagia with occasional regurgitation, partially controlled with a proton pump inhibitor. Primary investigations of pH testing and gastroscopy were normal, although a barium swallow study revealed significant hold-up at the aortic arch impression and a posterior right-sided oesophageal impression suggestive of a right-sided aortic arch. A follow-up computed tomography angiogram discovered a vascular ring encircling the trachea and oesophagus, formed by a right-sided aortic arch with aberrant aortic branches, and a Kommerell's diverticulum. It was deemed that the patient's symptoms were related to this vascular ring. The patient underwent stage-one surgery - an extra-anatomic bypass of the double aortic arch and right subclavian artery - and 4 months later a stent graft insertion over the origin of the diverticulum with the aim of complete symptomatic relief. This case presents a common symptom familiar to any clinician (dysphagia), which has been caused by a rare pathology. It is even more unusual that this should present itself in adulthood.

Purpose: To evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes of hybrid repair of the arch and proximal descending aorta in a single tertiary center for aortic disease., Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of 55 patients (median age 67 years; 36 men) who underwent hybrid repair of thoracic aortic pathology with involvement of the arch between January 2005 and May 2015 at a single tertiary center. The pathologies included 40 (73%) with aneurysmal disease, 10 (18%) acute type B aortic dissections, 2 with acute aortic syndrome, an acute type A dissection, and left and aberrant right subclavian artery aneurysms. Seven (13%) procedures were performed as an emergency. Demographics and procedure characteristics were collected for analysis of survival and reinterventions., Results: Complete aortic debranching was performed in 14 (25%) to facilitate endograft placement in zone 0; debranching was partial in 20 (36%) patients for zone 1 deployments and 21 (38%) for zone 2. Primary technical success was achieved in 51 (93%) cases. One patient died in-hospital from aneurysm rupture following aortic debranching prior to stent-graft repair. In another, the stent-graft procedure proved infeasible and was abandoned. The other 2 technical failures were due to type Ia endoleaks. Five (9%) patients died in-hospital (4 of 48 elective and 1 of 7 emergency cases); 2 of these patients died within 30 days (4%). Eight (14%) patients had a stroke, 6 of 48 elective and 2 of the 7 emergency patients. Spinal cord ischemia was reported in 3 (6%) patients. Mean follow-up was 74.6 months. Overall cumulative survival was 70% at 1 year, 68% at 2 years, and 57% at 5 years. Reintervention to the proximal landing zone for type Ia endoleak was required in 6% of cases. The overall rate of aortic reintervention was 18% at 1 year, 21% at 2 years, and 36% at 5 years. Overall extra-anatomic graft patency was 99%., Conclusion: Hybrid repair of the aortic arch and proximal descending thoracic aorta is technically feasible, with acceptable short-term mortality. There is a low rate of proximal landing zone reintervention when hybrid techniques are used to create an adequate proximal landing zone. Extra-anatomic bypass grafts have good long-term patency. Ongoing disease progression means that further distal aortic interventions are often necessary in patients with extensive disease., (© The Author(s) 2016.)

We present a very rare case of bilateral ductus arteriosus in transposition of the great arteries with right aortic arch and aberrant retroesophageal left subclavian artery (SCA). Around 1 month after the successful arterial switch operation, the baby showed wheezing and retractive breathing. The computed tomography revealed that trachea and esophagus were sandwiched between the posterior displaced ascending aorta and the origin of the retroesophageal aberrant left SCA, the so-called Kommerell diverticulum (KD). This compression was successfully relieved by resection of the KD and division of the retroesophageal aberrant SCA through right thoracotomy., (Copyright © 2016 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We report a rare case of Stanford type A acute aortic dissection involving an aberrant right subclavian artery and originating from Kommerell's diverticulum in a 52-year old man. Initially, as an emergency measure, total arch replacement and right axillary artery reconstruction were performed. However, due to the subsequent enlargement of the false lumen, thoracic endovascular aortic repair and right subclavian artery coiling were performed successfully 5 months after the first operation. Herein, we describe surgical management approaches for the treatment of a Stanford type A acute aortic dissection with aberrant right subclavian artery., (© The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Background: Right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery is the most frequent cause of vascular ring. Ligamentum arteriosus division opens the ring but leaves the Kommerell diverticulum in place, with a risk of residual compression, aneurysmal dilation, dissection, or even rupture. A procedure consisting of translocation of the aberrant left subclavian artery to the left carotid artery with removal of the Kommerell diverticulum and division of the ligamentum is currently advocated., Methods: Between September /2009 and August 2011, 12 consecutive patients underwent the foregoing procedure. Clinical findings, surgical procedure, complications, histopathologic findings, and follow-up data were retrospectively analyzed., Results: Mean age at the time of operation was 7.7 years (median, 4.3 years, range, 0.9 to 18.9 years), and mean weight was 26 kg (median, 18 kg; range, 8.4 to 59 kg). All patients had symptoms. Computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging, or both, had confirmed the diagnosis in all patients. Postoperative events, all transient, included chylothorax (1 patient), phrenic palsy (1 patient), pneumonia (1 patient), and the need for prolonged chest drainage (3 patients). Mean follow-up reached 19 months (median, 13 months; range, 12 to 41 months). Mild residual respiratory symptoms were noted in 3 patients. Echo-Doppler analysis showed a patent left subclavian-to-carotid artery anastomosis. Histopathologic analysis of the resected diverticulum (n = 6) showed cystic medial necrosis in four diverticula (focal in one)., Conclusions: Translocation of the aberrant left subclavian artery with diverticulum resection and ligamentum division is an efficient procedure for symptom relief. Profound wall abnormalities such as medial necrosis in at least 50% of the analyzed diverticula encourage us to maintain this strategy, to reduce the risk of aneurysm formation and dissection., (Copyright © 2015 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

An aberrant right subclavian artery arising from a left aortic arch is the most frequently described congenital aortic arch anomaly, occurring in 0.5 to 2.3% of the general population. Despite the retro-oesophageal course of the aberrant subclavian artery, an arterio-oesophageal fistula is an uncommon finding, only previously reported as a very rare complication in critically ill patients with oesophageal instrumentation or foreign body ingestion. We describe a unique case of a spontaneous aberrant right subclavian arterio-oesophageal fistula without an inciting event in a 17-month-child.

We report a patient with an arch aneurysm with an aberrant right subclavian artery who underwent successful endovascular treatment with the chimney technique and bilateral carotid artery-to-subclavian artery bypasses. We used a chimney graft in the left carotid artery to preserve its flow. The bilateral carotid-to-subclavian artery bypasses preserved perfusion of the bilateral vertebral arteries. A thoracic stent graft was subsequently deployed in the aortic arch over the chimney graft of the left carotid artery. There have been few reports about less-invasive treatment for arch aneurysm with aberrant right subclavian artery. This technique was an effective strategy to avoid a high-risk open operation., (Copyright © 2015 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)