Search

Objectives: The objective of this study was to enhance the efficiency of aortic arch replacement through the development of a novel frozen elephant trunk (FET) prosthesis with an endovascular side branch for left subclavian artery (LSA) connection. After successful pre-clinical testing, the feasibility and safety of implementing this innovative prosthesis in human subjects were investigated., Methods: Between September 2020 and September 2021, 4 patients (mean age 67) with conditions such as penetrating ulcer, non A-non B aortic dissection and chronic arch aneurysm underwent surgery utilizing the customized device. Surgeries were performed under high moderate hypothermia (27°C), employing bilateral selective antegrade cerebral perfusion (SACP) and distal aortic perfusion. Anastomosis of the FET prosthesis with the aortic arch occurred in zone 1, followed by separate reimplantation of the left common carotid artery and the brachiocephalic artery., Results: All patients were discharged in good clinical condition. The mean aortic cross-clamp, antegrade selective cerebral perfusion and distal aortic perfusion times were 111, 71 and 31 min, respectively. Endovascular extension of the side branch for the LSA was required in all cases to prevent endoleak formation. One patient received a stent graft extension at the end of the operation, while 2 others underwent the procedure during their hospital stay. One patient was diagnosed with an endoleak at the first follow-up after 3 months, and endoleak sealing was achieved via the brachial artery with an extension stent graft., Conclusions: Preliminary clinical outcomes suggest that the newly designed FET prosthesis shows promise in simplifying total arch replacement. These initial findings provide a foundation for planned clinical studies to further assess the effectiveness of this modified surgical hybrid graft, with particular attention to the length and diameter of the LSA sidearm., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery.)

The frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique is an established therapeutic option in the treatment of complex aortic diseases. We report our long-term clinical outcomes after FET repair. A total of 187 consecutive patients underwent FET repair at our department between 8/2005 and 3/2023. Indications included acute and chronic aortic dissections and thoracic aneurysms. Endpoints included operative morbidity and mortality, long-term survival, and the need for reinterventions. Operative mortality, spinal cord injury and permanent stroke rates were: 9.6%, 2.7% and 10.2%, respectively. At five years, overall survival was 69.9 ± 3.9% and freedom from aortic-related death was 82.5 ± 3.0%, whereas at ten years, overall survival was 53.0 ± 5.5% and freedom from aortic-related death was 75.8 ± 4.8%. Sixty-one reinterventions on the thoracic aorta were necessary. Freedom from secondary interventions at ten years was 44.7 ± 6.4% overall (63.1 ± 10.0% for acute dissections, 40.8 ± 10.3% for chronic dissections and 28.9 ± 13.1% for aneurysms, respectively). The high reintervention rate for chronic dissections and for aneurysms is related to the pre-existing aortic pathology. Late aortic growth of untreated segments with potentially fatal outcome occurs even after ten years, so careful annual follow-up is mandatory in this patient cohort.

Background: Saline is still the most widely used storage and rinsing solution for vessel grafts during cardiac surgery despite knowing evidence of its negative influence on the human endothelial cell function. Aim of this study was to assess the effect of DuraGraft©, an intraoperative graft treatment solution, on human saphenous vein segments and further elaborate the vasoprotective effect on rat aortic segments in comparison to saline., Methods: Human Saphenous vein (HSV) graft segments from patients undergoing aortocoronary bypass surgery (n = 15), were randomized to DuraGraft© (n = 15) or saline (n = 15) solution before intraoperative storage. Each segment was divided into two subsegmental parts for evaluation. These segments as well as rat aortic segments stored in DuraGraft© underwent assessment of vascular function in a multichamber isometric myograph system in comparison to Krebs-Henseleit solution (KHS), a physiologic organ buffer solution., Results: Potassium-Chloride (KCL)-induced contraction depicted a tendency towards increase when treated with DuraGraft© compared to saline preservation of HSV segments (23.02 ± 14.77 vs 14.44 ± 9.13 mN, p = 0.0571). Vein segments preserved with DuraGraft© showed a significant improvement of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in response to cumulative concentrations of bradykinin compared to saline treated segments ( p < 0.05). Rat aortic segments stored in saline showed significantly impaired vasoconstriction (3.59 ± 4.20, p < 0.0001) and vasorelaxation when compared to KHS and DuraGraft© ( p < 0.0001)., Conclusions: DuraGraft© demonstrated a favorable effect on graft relaxation and contraction indicating preservation of vascular endothelial function., Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT04614077., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest. Attila Kiss is serving as one of the Guest editors of this journal. We declare that Attila Kiss had no involvement in the peer review of this article and has no access to information regarding its peer review. Full responsibility for the editorial process for this article was delegated to Dragan M. Djuric and Teruo Inoue., (Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.)

Objectives: Our goal was to develop a modified frozen elephant trunk (FET) prosthesis with a stented left subclavian artery (LSA) side branch for LSA connection and to perform preclinical testing in a human cadaver model., Methods: We measured aortic diameters, distance between and diameters of supra-aortic vessels and the distance from the LSA offspring to the level of the left vertebral artery offspring in 70 patients. Based on these measurements, a novel FET prosthesis was developed (Cryolife/Jotec, Hechingen, Germany) featuring a stented side branch for an intrathoracic LSA connection. The feasibility and ease of implantation were tested in 2 human cadaver models at the Anatomical Institute of the Medical University Graz. A covered stent graft (Advanta V12™ by Atrium Medical Corp., Hudson, NH, USA) was used for an LSA extension., Results: Accurate deployment of the novel FET prosthesis with anatomical orientation of the stented side branch towards the LSA ostium followed by consecutive stent graft deployment was feasible in both cases. Proximalizing the distal anastomosis level from zone 3 to zone 1 not only diminished the complexity of the procedure but substantially facilitated the completion of the distal anastomosis. A 2.5-cm long extension stent graft was sufficient to seal to the LSA and to maintain left vertebral artery patency in both cases., Conclusions: This initial study in human anatomical bodies could demonstrate the feasibility of implanting a newly designed FET prosthesis. This evolution of the FET technique has the potential to substantially ease total aortic arch replacement by proximalization of the distal anastomosis into zone 1 and by shortening spinal and lower body hypothermic circulatory arrest times via a stented side branch to the LSA. This direct connection enables early restoration of systemic perfusion., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery.)

Background: The feasibility of minimally invasive mitral valve (MV) surgery in infective endocarditis (IE) has not been reported in detail. We assessed the safety, efficacy, and durability of the minimally invasive approach through a right anterolateral minithoracotomy for surgical treatment of MV IE., Methods: A review of the Leipzig Heart Center database revealed 92 eligible patients operated on between 2002 and 2013. All patients had undergone minimally invasive surgery for IE. The indication for surgery was isolated IE of the MV in all patients. Baseline and intraoperative data, as well as clinical outcomes and short-term follow-up were analyzed retrospectively., Results: The patients' mean age was 60.9 ±  15.3 years, the logistic EuroSCORE II was 19.6 ± 19.1%, and 64.1% (59) were male. MV repair was feasible in 23.9% (22/92) of patients. Repair techniques included annuloplasty ring implantation, anterior mitral leaflet resection, posterior mitral leaflet resection, and implantation of neochordae. MV replacement was performed in 69 patients (75%), a mitral annulus patch in 1 patient, and concomitant tricuspid valve surgery for tricuspid regurgitation in 5 patients. Bacteriological analysis showed staphylococcus infection in 45.5%, streptococcus in 36.4%, enterococcus in 13.6%, and others in 4.5%. The 30-day-mortality rate was 9.8% (9 patients). The 1-year follow-up showed a 1-year survival rate of 77.7 ± 4.4% and freedom from reoperation within 1 year due to reendocarditis of 93.3 ± 2.1%., Conclusions: The minimally invasive approach is suitable for the treatment of IE of the MV. It is a good technique in IE in selected patients., Competing Interests: None., (Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Performing transcatheter aortic valve implantation in the presence of aneurysmatic aortopathy is widely contraindicated but needs to be taken into account as a bailout strategy in selected patients. Deliberate preoperative assessment of measurements becomes the crucial key element in this context. After meticulous valve selection, retrograde access is obtained through the right subclavian artery additionally serving as a backup arterial cannulation site in case of conversion. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation is then performed through the transapical route. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation in complex aneurysmatic aortic morphology is feasible in highly selected patients after comprehensive preoperative evaluation. The present article describes our initial experience, safeguards, and technical details., (Copyright © 2018 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To analyse the clinical outcomes of surgical repair of DeBakey type I and III aortic dissection (AD) by using the frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique, and to evaluate the postoperative behaviour of the residual aorta., Methods: In total, 27 consecutive patients underwent treatment of the thoracic aorta for AD with the FET technique in a tertiary-care hospital in Vienna/Austria between 2005 and 2012, and were enrolled in this case series study. All operations were performed under circulatory arrest and bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion. During the follow-up, a clinical examination was performed as well as aortic diameters and false lumen (FL) patency evaluated by computed tomography (CT) imaging at following levels: pulmonary bifurcation, diaphragm and coeliac trunk., Results: The mean age of the patient cohort was 56 ± 12 years; 21 patients were male. Twenty-two (82%) and 5 (18%) patients presented with DeBakey type I and type III AD, respectively. The hospital mortality rate was 7% (2/28); 2 patients died due to non-aortic-related reasons during a follow-up period of 48 ± 26 months. Three (11%) patients had a stroke, and 2 (7%) a spinal cord injury. The follow-up CT scans revealed FL thrombosis in 96% of the patients at the level of the pulmonary bifurcation (P < 0.001). Distal to the stent graft, at the level of the diaphragm and coeliac trunk, FL patency was observed in 52% (P = 0.1) and 78% (P = 0.6) of the patients, respectively. The true lumen of all analysed aortic segments increased significantly while the mean aortic diameter remained stable., Conclusions: Compared with conventional surgery for extensive ADs, the FET technique provides a high rate of FL thrombosis of the thoracic aorta., (© The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The advantages of aortic valve-preserving surgery are still hampered by a higher rate of reoperations compared to root replacement with valved conduits. This study evaluates whether valve deterioration rate is related to the method or depends on stringent adherence to technical concepts, which might be lost once trainees perform this complex surgery on their own., Methods: From 1991 to 2011, the David procedure was performed in 209 consecutive patients. Mean age was 57 ± 14 years. The patients were operated either by the senior author or trainees under his supervision (group 1, n = 130) or by surgeons on their own after training by the senior author (group 2, n = 79). Clinical and echocardiography data were evaluated pre- and postoperatively and at follow-up (mean 6.0 ± 4 years)., Results: In-hospital mortality was 1.5 % in group 1 and 5 % in group 2 (p = 0.29), and late mortality was 12 % (n = 12 in group 1 and n = 14 in group 2, p = 0.11), three were cardiac related. Nine patients (4.3 %) had to be reoperated; three for endocarditis in group 1, six for structural valve deterioration in group 2 (p = 0.14). The 9-year freedom from reoperation or aortic valve insufficiency (AI) ≥2° was 93 % in group 1 and 78 % in group 2 (p < 0.01). As groups showed differences in preoperative variables, results were compared also in a propensity matched subgroup. Despite no difference in perioperative results, long-term valve competence remained inferior in group 2., Conclusions: With stringent adherence to technical concepts, structural valve deterioration may virtually be considerably reduced in aortic valve reimplantation. Once performing this operation on their own, trainees-after training by the senior-achieved results as independent surgeons well comparable to published series. As long-term performance seems to depend more on judgment of the geometry achieved intraoperatively than on technical steps, a means of measurement of effective coaptation height with a caliper might facilitate evaluation of perfect repair.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility and the outcomes of second-stage thoracoabdominal (TA) repair after previous frozen elephant trunk (FET) implantation., Methods: Between 2005 and 2013, 41 patients underwent open TA aortic repair in our institution. Of these, 9 patients (78% male) underwent second-stage TA repair after previous FET implantation. Feasibility and outcomes were evaluated., Results: The mean interval between FET implantation and second-stage TA repair was 423 days (19-1979 days). Indications for second-stage TA repair were progression in aortic diameter of atherosclerotic aneurysms in the downstream segments in 6 patients, diameter progression in post-dissection aneurysms in 2 patients and giant cell aortitis with aneurysm formation in another patient. There were no in-hospital deaths. The median intensive care unit stay was 3.5 days (range: 1-12 days) and median hospital stay was 22 days (range: 14-132 days). We did not observe symptomatic spinal cord ischaemia or stroke. One patient (11%) developed acute renal failure requiring haemodialysis., Conclusion: Second-stage TA aortic repair after previous frozen elephant implantation is a feasible and effective treatment modality for patients with various pathologies of downstream aortic segments. This approach adds additional value to the conventional elephant trunk technique by providing an excellent landing zone not only for additional stent graft procedures but also for subsequent open TA repair., (© The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

A lesion of the circumflex artery (RCX) is one of the potential complications of mitral valve (MV) surgery. An intraoperative transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) should be performed for early detection of potential myocardial damage. We report on an emergency PCI after minimally invasive mitral valve replacement in a redo operation. The patient had previously a mechanical aortic valve replacement. A TEE was performed at the end of the redo operation and showed significant signs of segmental myocardial lateral wall dysfunction. A coronary angiogram was performed immediately and a balloon angioplasty and implantation of two stents in the circumflex artery was necessary. In cases of suspected distortion of the RCX, a coronary angiography must be performed without delay to prevent myocardial necrosis.

A 57-year-old man was admitted to our department with recent onset of chest pain. Computed tomography (CT) scans revealed an acute aortic syndrome manifested by a penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer and contained rupture at the level of origin of an aberrant right subclavian artery. A combined vascular and endovascular approach was selected. The entire arch was rerouted, a reversed bifurcated Dacron prosthesis was placed, and a bypass was created between the right common carotid artery and the lusorian artery, followed by thoracic endovascular aortic repair. The clinical course was uneventful. The CT scan obtained after the procedure revealed regular supra-aortic perfusion and complete exclusion of the complex lesion.

Objectives: A prospective randomized multicentre trial was performed to analyse the efficacy of a vest (Posthorax support vest®) to prevent sternal wound infection after cardiac surgery, and to identify risk factors., Methods: From September 2007 to March 2010, 2539 patients undergoing cardiac surgery via median sternotomy were prospectively randomized into those who received a Posthorax® vest and those who did not. Patients were instructed to wear the vest postoperatively for 24 h a day for at least 6 weeks; the duration of follow-up was 90 days. Patients who did not use the vest within a period of 72 h postoperatively were regarded as study dropouts. Statistical calculations were based on an intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis. Further evaluations comprised all subgroups of patients., Results: Complete data were available for 2539 patients (age 67 ± 11years, 45% female). Of these, 1351 were randomized to receive a vest, while 1188 received no vest. No significant differences were observed between groups regarding age, gender, diabetes, body mass index, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), renal failure, the logistic EuroSCORE and the indication for surgery. The frequency of deep wound complications (dWC: mediastinitis and sternal dehiscence) was significantly lower in vest (n = 14; 1.04%) vs non-vest (n = 27; 2.27%) patients (ITT, P < 0.01), but superficial complications did not differ between groups. Subanalysis of vest patients revealed that only 933 (Group A) wore the vest according to the protocol, while 202 (Group BR) refused to wear the vest (non-compliance) and 216 (Group BN) did not use the vest for other reasons. All dWC occurred in Groups BR (n = 7) and BN (n = 7), although these groups had the same preoperative risk profile as Group A. Postoperatively, Group BN had a prolonged intubation time, a longer stay in the intensive care unit, greater use of intra-aortic balloon pump, higher frequency of COPD and a larger percentage of patients who required prolonged surgery., Conclusions: Consistent use of the Posthorax® vest prevented deep sternal wounds. The anticipated risk factors for wound complications did not prove to be relevant, whereas intra- and postoperative complications appear to be very significant.

The increasing number of interventions for percutaneous aortic valve replacement (AVR) justify a renewed evaluation of one-year survival rates after open AVR with and without coronary artery bypass in octogenarians. Risk factors influencing mortality are compared, and the patients' quality-of-life (QoL) after one year is assessed. One hundred and fifty-four patients (102 females, 52 males) aged on average 82.9±2.5 years, who had undergone open bioprosthetic AVR with (n=80) and without (n=74) coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) between January 2005 and December 2007 were reviewed retrospectively. Risk factors for mortality were analyzed. The patient's QoL after one year was evaluated by administering the Seattle Angina Questionnaire on the telephone. The mean in-hospital mortality rate was 7.8%. The 12-month survival rate was 81.8%. Preoperative risk factors revealed no difference between survivors and non-survivors: renal insufficiency, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, cerebrovascular disease (CVD), peripheral vascular disease, logistic EuroSCORE and concomitant CABG. Assessment of QoL revealed a substantial improvement of physical fitness in all 126 patients. Surgery in the aortic valve without CABG is associated with a good outcome. The improvement in QoL after one year supports the decision to operate on patients older than 80 years of age.

Objective: Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) complements online monitoring of cerebral oxygenation during aortic arch surgery. Its addition targets at an increase of safety of a complex procedure employing bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion (BACP) and circulatory arrest under tepid blood temperatures. We report the outcome of NIRS-guided aortic arch surgery using BACP with moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest (MHCA)., Methods: Between December 2006 and December 2008, NIRS was used in 13 patients (mean age: 67.5 ± 11.3 years) undergoing aortic arch repair using BACP combined with MHCA. The diagnosis was atherosclerotic thoracic aneurysms in eight and acute aortic dissection in five patients. Seven patients had a hemi-arch replacement, six underwent frozen stent-graft arch replacement and four patients had concomitant procedures such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or aortic valve surgery. Our regimen of employing an algorithm for adaptation of perfusion modalities included the threshold of the drop in regional cerebral oxygen saturation <55% and/or a drop in the total oxygen index (TOI) of 15-20% assessed by the means of NIRS., Results: The mean MHCA was 35 ± 16min and lowest bladder temperature was 26 ± 1.2°C. The mean TOI pre-MHCA was 66 ± 6.5%. Twelve out of 13 patients underwent bilateral perfusion because of unilateral drops below the threshold level of TOI (mean: 44±7.9%). In three patients, an organic psychosyndrome was observed. No patient developed permanent neurological dysfunction., Conclusion: NIRS-guided BACP during MHCA allows a safe approach to complex aortic arch surgery. The drop of brain oxygenation values in the contralateral hemisphere during unilateral ACP strongly suggests the routine use of BACP, when circulatory arrest under tepid temperatures is used., (Copyright © 2010 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Sternal instability, dehiscence and mediastinitis are major causes of morbidity and mortality in cardiac surgery. The aim of this analysis is to determine the effect of a Posthorax support vest (Epple Inc, Vienna, Austria) after median sternotomy. One thousand five hundred and sixty cases were included in a prospective randomized multicenter trial. Patients were randomized as follows: 905 received a flexible dressing postoperatively (group A) and 655 patients were given a Posthorax support vest (group B). Patients in groups A and B were well matched. Their mean age was 68 years (range: 34-87 years). The patient characteristics and operative data were equally distributed in both groups. The mean total hospital stay was significantly shorter in group B than in group A (A: 17.33+/-17.5; B: 14.76+/-7.7; P=0.04). Sternal wound complications necessitating reoperation during the 90 days follow-up period were observed in 4.5%. Reoperation rates were as follows: 3.9% in group A and 0.6% in group B (P<0.05). The use of the Posthorax sternum support vest is a valuable adjunct to prevent sternum-related complications after cardiac surgery. In the 90 days follow-up period, additional surgical procedures were significantly reduced by the use of the support vest., (2010 Published by European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the alterations of the aorta by using a new combined surgical and endovascular technique for the treatment of aortic type A dissections. The diameter of the descending aorta, the implanted stent graft, and the false lumen were evaluated., Methods: Between August 2005 and February 2009, 14 patients (aged 49 +/- 13 years; 11 men, 3 women) with type A dissection in the aorta were operated on the thoracic aorta by the frozen elephant trunk technique. The size dynamics of the false lumen were analyzed by deducting the diameter of the stent graft obtained on computed tomography from the maximum dimension of the aorta., Results: The technical success rate was 100%. All patients survived during the follow-up period. The mean follow-up period was 21.4 months. No redisection or aortic rupture occurred during the follow-up period. Postoperative computed tomography scans showed complete thrombus formation of the false lumen in the perigraft space within the entire zone of the stented segment of the hybrid prosthesis during the first 2 weeks after surgery in 12 patients (86%), whereas all patients showed complete obliteration of the false lumen at the 3-month control. The follow-up computed tomography scan obtained after 12 months revealed shrinkage of the false lumen in 9 patients (64%)., Conclusions: The combined surgical and endovascular technique described in this report proved effective for the treatment of extended aortic lesions. The perigraft space thrombosed completely and had shrunken after successful placement of the stent graft., (2010 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Sternum infection remains one of the primary causes of postoperative morbidity and mortality after median sternotomy. We report the clinical efficacy for primary reinforcement of the sternum with a new design of thorax support vest., Methods: A prospective randomized study including 455 patients was started in September 2007 to evaluate the effectiveness of the Posthorax sternum vest (Epple Inc., Vienna, Austria). One hundred and seventy five patients were treated with the sternum dressing postoperatively (group A), 227 patients did not receive the vest (group B) and 53 patients refused it (group C). Several clinical and operative data were evaluated. All patients were recorded using the STS risk scoring analysis for mediastinitis after cardiac surgery., Results: The median age and gender distribution were comparable in both groups. Preoperative data like renal failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, peripheral artery disease, and myocardial infarction were not significant. There were more patients with diabetes in group A and C (A: 39.4%, B: 29.1%, C: 43.4%, p = 0.036). A total of 55.8% underwent coronary bypass grafting, 15.4% aortic valve replacement, 7.7% mitral valve repair and 21.1% concomitant cardiac procedures. The median risk factor analysis and body mass index were comparable. In the follow-up period up to 90 days, in group A we observed 0.6% sternum wound complications, in group B 4.9%, and in group C 9.4% (group A vs B: Fisher's exact test p = 0.0152 and group A vs C: p = 0.0029)., Conclusions: The use of the Posthorax sternum vest shows a favourable outcome to prevent sternum instability after cardiac surgery. There was one reoperation in patients treated with this sternum vest compared to 16 in the control groups.