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The "frozen elephant trunk" (FET) technique was developed by Karck et al., who modified Borst's ET technique by using a stent graft to secure the distal ET section. Working in collaboration with Vascutek Terumo, we in Hannover Medical School introduced the 4-branched hybrid FET graft In 2012 (Thoraflex Hybrid). However, the results after open aortic arch repair mainly depend on perioperative management and patient factors. Over the years, peri-operative management and operative techniques have evolved greatly contributing to better results. We describe our surgical technique of implantation of this hybrid graft in acute aortic dissection Stanford type A, DeBakey type I (AADA DeBakey I) patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The frozen elephant trunk is a standard treatment method for aortic arch pathologies extending into the descending aorta. We previously described the phenomenon of early postoperative intraluminal thrombosis within the frozen elephant trunk. We investigated the features and predictors of intraluminal thrombosis. A total of 281 patients (66% male, mean age 60 ± 12 years) underwent frozen elephant trunk implantation between May 2010 and November 2019. In 268 patients (95%), early postoperative computed tomography angiography was available to assess intraluminal thrombosis. The incidence of intraluminal thrombosis after frozen elephant trunk implantation was 8.2%. Intraluminal thrombosis was diagnosed early after the procedure (4.6 ± 2.9 days) and could be successfully treated with anticoagulation in 55% of patients. A total of 27% developed embolic complications. Mortality (27% vs 11%, P =.044) and morbidity were significantly higher in patients with intraluminal thrombosis. Our data showed a significant association of intraluminal thrombosis with prothrombotic medical conditions and anatomic slow flow features. The incidence of heparin-induced thrombopenia was higher in patients with intraluminal thrombosis (18% vs 3.3%, P =.011). Stent-graft diameter index, anticipated endoleak Ib, and degenerative aneurysm were significant independent predictors of intraluminal thrombosis. Therapeutic anticoagulation was a protective factor. Glomerular filtration rate, extracorporeal circulation time, postoperative rethoracotomy, and intraluminal thrombosis (odds ratio, 3.19, P =.047) were independent predictors of perioperative mortality. Intraluminal thrombosis is an underrecognized complication after frozen elephant trunk implantation. In patients with risk factors of intraluminal thrombosis indication for frozen elephant trunk should be carefully evaluated and postoperative anticoagulation considered. Early thoracic endovascular aortic repair extension should be considered in patients with intraluminal thrombosis to prevent embolic complications. Stent-graft designs should be improved to prevent intraluminal thrombosis after frozen elephant trunk implantation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES Total aortic arch replacement is an invasive procedure with significant risks for complications. These risks are even higher in older, multimorbid patients. The current trends in demographic changes in western countries with an ageing population will aggravate this issue. In this study, we present our experience with total aortic arch replacement using the frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique in septuagenarians. We compared the results of septuagenarians with those of younger patients and analysed if there was an improvement in outcome over time. METHODS Between August 2001 and March 2020, 225 patients underwent non-urgent FET procedure at our institution. There were 75 patients aged ≥70 years (mean age 74 ± 4) who were assigned to group A, and 150 patients aged <70 years (mean age of 57 ± 11) who were assigned to group B. In groups A and B, the indications for surgery were chronic dissection (21% vs 53%), aortic aneurysm (78% vs 45%) and penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer (1% vs 2%). RESULTS The rate for temporary dialysis was significantly higher in group A than in group B (29% vs 13%, P  = 0.003), although the majority recovered kidney function. Rates for re-exploration for bleeding and stroke were comparable in both groups. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in group A than in group B (24% vs 13%, P  = 0.037). Logistic regression analysis showed that age >70 years was an independent statistically significant risk factor for in-hospital mortality (odds ratio = 2.513, 95% confidence interval = 1.197–5.278, P -value = 0.015). Follow-up was complete for 100% of patients and comprised a total of 1073 patient-years with a mean follow-up time of 4.8 ± 4.5 years. The 1- and 5-year survival rates were 68% and 49% in group A, and 85% and 71% in group B, respectively (log rank, P  < 0.001). Survival did not significantly improve over time. Discussion Total aortic arch replacement using the FET technique has a significantly higher risk for perioperative morbidity and mortality in septuagenarians than in younger patients. Long-term survival is significantly impaired in older patients. We recommend thorough patient selection of those who require total aortic arch replacement, and optimization of perioperative management to improve outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to present our 15-year experience (2001-2015) with the frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique. METHODS: A total of 251 patients (82 with aortic aneurysms, 96 with acute aortic dissection type A, 4 with acute type B dissections, 52 with chronic aortic dissection type A, 17 with chronic type B dissection and 67 redo cases) underwent FET implantation with either the custom-made Chavan--Haverich (n = 66), the Jotec E-vita (n = 31) or the Vascutek Thoraflex hybrid (n = 154) prosthesis. The cases were assigned to an early period (2001-2011) and a contemporary period (2012-present). RESULTS: Mean cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross-clamp time, circulatory arrest time and selective antegrade cerebral perfusion time were 241 ± 72, 125 ± 59, 56 ± 30 and 81 ± 34min, respectively. Incidence of rethoracotomy for bleeding, stroke, spinal cord injury, prolonged ventilatory support (>96 h) and long-term dialysis were 18, 14, 2, 24 and 2%, respectively. The in-hospital mortality rate was 11% (in acute aortic dissection type A, 12%). Of the 2 patients with graft infections, 1 died and the other had a protracted hospital stay. There were 49 second-stage procedures in the downstream aorta: either open surgical [n = 25 (thoraco-abdominal, n = 15; descending, n = 6; infrarenal, n = 4)] or transfemoral endovascular (n = 23). Elective thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair R implantation was successful in all 23 cases. CONCLUSIONS: FET results are comparable with those of the published results of the conventional elephant trunk technique. FET is an ideal landing zone for subsequent transfemoral endovascular completion. Patients with graft infections may have dismal results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to compare the results and outcomes of second-stage completion in patients who had previously undergone the elephant trunk (ET) or the frozen elephant trunk (FET) procedure for the treatment of complex aortic arch and descending aortic disease. METHODS: Between August 2001 and December 2014, 53 patients [mean age 61 ± 13 years, 64% (n = 34) male] underwent a second-stage completion procedure. Of these patients, 32% (n = 17) had a previous ET procedure and 68% (n = 36) a previous FET procedure as a firststage procedure. RESULTS: The median times to the second-stage procedure were 7 (0-78) months in the ET group and 8 (0-66) months in the FET group. The second-stage procedure included thoracic endovascular aortic repair in 53% (n = 28) of patients and open surgical repair in 47% (n = 25). More endovascular interventions were performed in FET patients (61%, n = 22) than in the ET group (35%, n= 6, P = 0.117). The inhospital mortality rate was significantly lower in the FET (8%, n = 3) group compared with the ET group (29%, n=5, P = 0.045). The median follow-up time after the second-stage operation for the entire cohort was 4.6 (0.4-10.4) years. The 5-year survival rate was 76% in the ET patients versus 89% in the FET patients (log-rank: P = 0.11). CONCLUSIONS: We observed a significantly lower in-hospital mortality rate in the FET group compared to the ET group. This result might be explained by the higher rate of endovascular completion in the FET group. We assume that the FET procedure offers the benefit of a more ideal landing zone, thus facilitating endovascular completion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Aortic arch surgery is associated with substantial perioperative risks. New prostheses as well as novel perfusion techniques have been developed to reduce the risks of these procedures. The routine application of these new techniques warrants reassessment of risk factors of aortic arch repair. METHODS: Between April 2010 and December 2015, 199 patients [61% male, median age 63 years (interquartile range 52-70 years)] underwent total aortic arch repair in our institution. Forty-four per cent of the patients presented with acute aortic dissections (ADs, 32% with malperfusion), 22% with chronic aortic dissections (CDs), 34% with degenerative aneurysms, 24% underwent reoperations. Our surgical technique involved cold blood cardioplegia for cardiac procedures, non-cardioplegic continuous myocardial blood perfusion during aortic arch repair and early lower body reperfusion after distal aortic arch reconstruction. Anastomosis of head vessels is performed at the end of the procedure. RESULTS: Forty-four per cent of patients underwent aortic root surgery, 90% received a classical elephant trunk (ET) or frozen elephant trunk (FET). Median (interquartile range) cardiopulmonary bypass time, cardiac ischaemia time, hypothermic circulatory arrest time and selective antegrade cerebral perfusion time were 248 min (204-302), 105 min (51-150), 47 min (35-61) and 93 min (72-115), respectively. Operative mortality was 16%, stroke occurred in 10%, dialysis in 21% and spinal cord injury in 5%. Independent risk factors for mortality were age, rethoracotomy for bleeding, postoperative dialysis, maximum lactate value and maximum creatinine kinase-MB (CK-MB) value. 'Beating heart' aortic arch surgery significantly reduced the risk of mortality. Malperfusion syndrome and coronary artery bypass grafting were preoperative predictors of stroke. CD, preoperative renal dysfunction, operation time, rethoracotomy for bleeding and low cardiac output syndrome were risk factors for postoperative dialysis. Freedom from aortic reoperation was 91% (AD), 66% (CD) and 70% (aneurysm) after 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic arch repair remains a high-risk procedure, especially in multisegment aortic disease. Several peri- and postoperative factors predicted adverse outcome, indicating the need to further improve perioperative management (e.g. organ protection). Indications for FET treatment have to be thoroughly investigated (e.g. FET in CDs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES Acute type A aortic dissection (AADA) is a surgical emergency. In patients with aortic arch and descending aorta (DeBakey type I) involvement, performing a total aortic arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk (FET) for supposedly better long-term results is controversial. We hereby present our results. METHODS From February 2004 to August 2013, 52 patients with acute aortic dissection DeBakey type I received a FET procedure at our centre (43 males, age 59.21 ± 11.67 years). All patients had an intimal tear in the aortic arch and/or proximal descending aorta. Concomitant procedures were Bentall (n = 15) and aortic valve repair (n = 30). RESULTS Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), X-clamp and cardiac arrest times were 262 ± 64, 159 ± 45 and 55 ± 24 min, respectively. The 30-day mortality rate was 13% (n = 7). Stroke and re-thoracotomy for bleeding were 12% (n = 6) and 23% (n = 12), respectively. Postoperative recurrent nerve palsy and spinal cord injury rates were 10% (5 of 52) and 4% (2 of 52), respectively. Follow-up was 40 ± 24 months. During follow-up, no patient died and no patient required a reoperation for the aortic arch. CONCLUSIONS Our results with FET in AADA show acceptable results. Total aortic arch replacement with an FET in AADA patients does demand high technical skills. In spite of this, we believe FET improves long-term outcomes in cases of AADA with intima tear or re-entry in the aortic arch or the descending aorta (DeBakey type I). Modern grafts with four side branches as well as sewing collars for the distal anastomosis have helped to further ‘simplify’ the FET implantation. However, such a strategy is not appropriate in all AADA cases; it should be implemented only in experienced centres and only if absolutely necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Combined disease of the aortic arch and the proximal descending aorta remains a surgical challenge. The Thoraflex Hybrid graft (Vascutek, Inchinnan, United Kingdom) consists of a 4-branched graft with a stent graft at the distal end allowing a total aortic arch replacement, including the origins of the supra-aortic vessels combined with endoluminal treatment of the proximal descending aorta. We present the midterm results of our first 100 patients who were treated with this frozen elephant trunk prosthesis. Methods From April 2010 to October 2014, 100 patients (65 men aged 59 ± 14 years) underwent operation (37 acute dissections, 31 chronic dissections, and 32 aneurysms). Fifty-four percent of patients received concomitant cardiac procedures, and 28% were reoperations. Results The perioperative mortality was 7% (n = 7). Midterm survival after a follow-up of 3.1 ± 1.4 years was 81% (n = 81). Mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 243 ± 61 minutes, cardiac ischemia time was 101 ± 65 minutes, and circulatory arrest time was 51 ± 20 minutes. Aortic root replacement was performed in 41 patients (n = 41; valve-sparing: 30% [n = 30]). Twenty-two percent of patients underwent secondary aortic reinterventions during follow-up (15% planned second stage operations). Sixty percent of reinterventions were performed via endovascular approach. Acute dissection patients needed significantly fewer reinterventions (n = 3; 8%). Conclusions The Thoraflex Hybrid graft adds to the frozen elephant trunk concept for treating aortic arch and descending aortic disease. Implantation of the Thoraflex Hybrid graft resulted in excellent outcomes and beneficial aortic remodeling during follow-up. This graft increases surgeons' armamentarium in the treatment of complex and diverse aortic arch pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]