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We investigated whether distal anastomosis to the true lumen in open surgical repair of descending aorta for chronic type B aortic dissection improved the long-term outcomes with aortic remodeling. We retrospectively reviewed 71 patients with chronic type B aortic dissection, excluding those with connective tissue disorder, from October 2001 to June 2021. The patients who underwent distal true lumen anastomosis (group T, n = 36) were compared to those with both lumens' anastomosis (group B, n = 35), regarding survival, overall and distal aortic events. The growth rates of the distal aorta (maximum diameter in descending thoracic, suprarenal and infrarenal abdominal aorta) were also investigated. Median age was significantly higher in group T (T; 66 vs B; 60, P = .001). Group T had significantly higher rates of complete and partial thrombosis formation in the false lumen than group B postoperatively (26.9 vs 0%, P = .01 for complete, 65.4 vs 3.9%, P < .0001 for partial, respectively). At median follow-up for 6.8 years of 63 patients (88.7%), survival, overall and distal aortic event-free rates, and the growth rates of the distal aorta were not significantly different between the groups. Distal anastomosis to the true lumen did not improve mid-term survival, aortic event-free rates and the growth rates of the distal aorta compared with that of both lumens for chronic type B aortic dissection., (© 2023. Springer Nature Japan KK, part of Springer Nature.)

We investigated whether supra-aortic vessel (SAV)s dissection is a risk factor for neurological dysfunction (ND) after surgical repair for type A acute aortic dissection (TAAAD). A retrospective review was done in 178 patients with TAAAD undergoing aortic repair between 2015 and 2019, comparing those with SAV dissection to those without it. Preoperatively, 93 patients (54.4%) had SAV dissection. Postoperatively, ND occurred in 26 patients (14.6%), 17 of whom (65.4%) already had been present with preoperative ND. Patients with SAV dissection were more likely to have postoperative ND than those without it (21.5% vs 7.7%; p = 0.02). The severity of preoperative dissection-related stenosis in common carotid artery significantly related to postoperative ND (right; p =0.0071, left; p < 0.0001). Multivariable analysis showed dissection-related stenosis of > 75% in brachiocepharic and left common carotid arteries, and thrombosed false lumen in common carotid arteries were independent risk factors for postoperative ND. However, SAV dissection was not related to new onset of ND. Dissection with stenosis of > 75% in SAVs were significantly decreased after aortic repair and even after ascending aorta/hemiarch replacement. In conclusion, ND after surgical repair for TAAAD is closely related to SAV dissection, especially to stenosis of > 75% and thrombosed false lumen in common carotid arteries. Aortic repair significantly decreased SAV dissection and severity of stenosis., (© 2022. Springer Japan KK, part of Springer Nature.)

Objectives: Postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) is known as a risk factor for death after surgery for Stanford type A acute aortic dissection under hypothermic circulatory arrest. It may also adversely affect long-term survival. We searched for modifiable risk factors for postoperative AKI, focusing on lower body ischaemic time., Methods: We reviewed 191 patients undergoing surgical repair for Stanford type A acute aortic dissection. The distal anastomosis depended on excluding the primary tear location, resulting in ascending/hemiarch (n = 119), partial arch (n = 18) and total arch replacement (n = 54). We defined an increase in the serum creatinine level to ≧2 times the baseline level as AKI. The incidence of AKI was investigated with multivariate analysis of its risk factors., Results: Postoperative AKI was observed in 49 patients (26%), 31% of whom required renal replacement therapy. The overall hospital mortality rate was 8.5%. Postoperative AKI, preoperative shock and organ malperfusion were predictors of hospital death. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis identified age, body mass index, preoperative chronic kidney disease and lower body ischaemic time as risk factors for postoperative AKI., Conclusions: Although surgical repair for Stanford type A acute aortic dissection showed favourable results, the incidence of postoperative AKI is still high, closely associated with hospital death. Lower body ischaemic time should be recognized specifically as a modifiable surgical risk factor for postoperative AKI., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

The frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique allows single-stage extended surgical repair of Stanford type A aortic dissection and has shown promotion of aortic remodeling by maintaining the true lumen flow and facilitating its expansion and by promoting false lumen thrombosis. However, few studies have compared the effectiveness of FET technique, in terms of the downstream aortic remodeling. Between 2005 and 2017, 50 patients underwent total arch replacement for Stanford type A aortic dissection, including that with (n = 22) and without FET technique (n = 28). We compared distal aortic remodeling in patients who underwent total arch replacement with (using a J-Graft open stent graft) or without the technique. The false lumen complete thrombosis rate and the ratio of true lumen area at three levels of the descending aorta were evaluated post operation. In FET group, the diameter and length of the stent graft were 29.0 ± 3.9 mm and 70.9 ± 17.4 mm, respectively. The in-hospital death with and without the FET technique was 0 and 3, respectively, with no late death in both groups. Eight patients (28.6%) only in the non-FET group required additional surgical treatment for downstream aorta. In the FET group, the ratio of true lumen area at the level of bronchial carina and false lumen complete thrombosis rate at the levels of bronchial carina and aortic valve were significantly higher than non-FET group. A more favorable remodeling in the descending aorta was observed in patients who underwent FET associated with a total arch replacement compared to those who underwent total arch replacement alone.

Objectives: Cardiovascular manifestations determine the prognosis and survival of patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS). We assessed the early and mid-term outcomes of cardiovascular surgery for this patient population., Patients and Methods: We conducted a retrospective evaluation of patients with MFS who underwent surgery in our department. The endpoint was the requirement for a second cardiovascular surgery, and death from any cause., Results: From February 2002 to March 2013, we performed 24 surgeries on 13 patients with MFS. At the time of initial surgery, the patients' aged ranged from 19 to 64 years of age (mean 34.7 ± 11.3 years) and included 5 men (38.5 %). Five of 13 initial surgeries (38.5 %) were emergencies. Seven patients (53.8 %) presented with aortic dissection at initial surgery, and one of the remaining six patients suffered from new aortic dissection during follow-up. Eight patients (61.5 %) underwent a second surgery, and a second surgery was not required for 100, 75.0, and 53.6 % of patients at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. The mean time interval between the first and the second surgeries was 52.8 ± 28.2 months. No patient died while hospitalized, and three subsequently died from unknown causes. Survival rates were 100, 90.9 and 64.9 % at 3, 5, and 7 years, respectively., Conclusion: Although we obtained satisfactory early outcomes for patients with MFS, there were three late deaths from unknown causes. Therefore, we recommend that patients with MFS should remain under close surveillance.

Intracranial aneurysm (IA) and aortic dissection are both complications of hypertension and characterized by degeneration of the media. Given the involvement of prostaglandin F2α and its receptor, FP, in extracellular matrix remodeling in a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis, here we induced hypertension and IA in rats by salt loading and hemi-lateral ligation of renal and carotid arteries and examined effects of a selective FP antagonist, AS604872, on these vascular events. AS604872 significantly accelerated degeneration of the media in both cerebral artery and aorta as evidenced by thinning of the media and disruption of the elastic lamina and promoted IA and aortic dissection. Notably, AS604872 induced expression of pro-inflammatory genes such as E-selectin in lesions and significantly enhanced macrophage infiltration. Suppression of surface expression of E-selectin with cimetidine prevented macrophage infiltration and aortic dissection. Thus, AS604872 exacerbates vascular inflammation in hypertensive rats and facilitates IA and aortic dissection. These results demonstrate that both IA and aortic dissection are caused by chronic inflammation of the arterial wall, which is worsened by AS604872, cautioning that other FP antagonists may share such deleterious actions in vascular homeostasis and suggesting that AS604872 can be used to make models of these vascular diseases with extensive degeneration.

Cardiac surgical procedure and catheter intervention of the aorta or its major branches have a potential risk for iatrogenic aortic dissection. This case demonstrates an iatrogenic type A aortic dissection after the elective balloon angioplasty for severe stenosis of the left subclavian artery orifice. The dissection retrospectively extended to the ascending aorta, and intramural hematoma was observed in the false lumen of the aorta. The ascending aorta was successfully replaced 14 days after the occurrence of dissection, using hypothermic circulatory arrest and antegrade selective cerebral perfusion. There were no outstanding complications.

A 73-year-old man presented with DeBakey type IIIa chronic aortic dissection. The aneurysm of the descending aorta was replaced using an open proximal technique with hypothermic circulatory arrest. For cerebrospinal protection, the left axillary artery was cannulated, which perfuses the vertebral artery and affects the Willis arterial circle, the anterior spinal artery, and the collateral blood supply to the spinal cord. Cannulation of the left axillary artery was a safe and effective surgical option for antegrade cerebral perfusion and spinal protection.

Background: We have employed a conservative management approach, including intensive control of both blood pressure and heart rate, in patients with aortic intramural hematoma (AIMH) and retrograde thrombosed type A acute aortic dissection (RT-TAAAD), sharing common clinical and imaging characteristics. Methods: To evaluate the outcomes of our conservative management approach, we retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 98 patients diagnosed with AIMH or RT-TAAAD from January 2008 to March 2023. A conservative management approach was applied, except for those patients with an aortic diameter ≥ 55 mm, false lumen expansion, or cardiac tamponade, who underwent emergency aortic repair. Results: Besides 2 patients, who declined surgery and subsequently died from aortic rupture, 18 patients underwent urgent aortic surgery, while 78 did not. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified the extrusion type of ulcer-like projections (ULPs) on admission and a maximum aortic diameter ≥ 45 mm on Day 1 as risk factors for acute aortic surgery. Among the 78 patients who were discharged, 9 (12%) underwent aortic surgery, while 69 (88%) did not, with a median follow-up of 44 months. The overall actuarial aortic surgery-free rates were 78% at 1 year and 72% at 5 years, respectively. A Cox proportional hazards analysis identified ULPs and an aortic diameter ≥ 45 mm at discharge as risk factors for late aortic surgery. Conclusions: The early and late outcomes of our conservative strategy for AIMH and RT-TAAAD demonstrate favorable surgery-free rates. The extrusion type of ULPs on admission and an aortic diameter ≥ 45 mm on Day 1 are predictors of acute aortic surgery, while ULPs and an aortic diameter ≥ 45 mm at discharge are predictors of late surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thoracic aortitis caused by Clostridium septicum is a rare infection with a strong association with malignancy and high mortality rate when left untreated. We report a case of surgical treatment for Stanford type A acute aortic dissection in a patient with C. septicum sepsis and thoracic aortitis. Case presentation: A 63-year-old hypertensive man with rheumatoid arthritis presented with general malaise and diagnosed with C. septicum-infected aortitis with sepsis. On the 5th day of hospitalization, Stanford type A acute aortic dissection developed with severe aortic regurgitation. The patient underwent emergent surgical treatment successfully with excision of the infected ascending aorta and aortic root followed by replacement using a composite graft, followed by diagnosis of sigmoid colon cancer 7 months after aortic surgery. He was scheduled to undergo elective colon surgery. Conclusions: C. septicum aortitis can progress quickly, causing aneurysm or dissection. Therefore, in a patient with C. septicum aortitis, prompt surgical in situ graft replacement should be performed to debride the infected vascular lesions. Further investigations for gastrointestinal and hematological malignancies as a source of C. septicum should be also conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article Aortic remodeling with frozen elephant trunk technique for Stanford type A aortic dissection using Japanese J-graft open stent graft, written by Masato Tochii, Yoshiyuki Takami, Hiroshi Ishikawa, Michiko Ishida, Yoshiro Higuchi, Yusuke Sakurai, Kentaro Amano and Yasushi Takagi was originally published electronically on the publisher's internet portal (currently SpringerLink) on 06 September 2018 without open access. With the author(s)' decision to opt for Open Choice the copyright of the article changed on 26 September 2018 to © The Author(s) 2018 and the article is forthwith distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits use, duplication, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made. In addition, the Table 2 was published incorrectly in the original publication of the article and the correct Table 2 is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]