Objective To summarize the advantages and key points of external fenestration in the treatment of aortic dissection involved visceral branch arteries after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR), and to explore the application effect of external fenestration in aortic dissection involved visceral branch arteries. Methods A patient with abdominal aortic aneurysm resulting in abdominal aortic dissection and involving multiple visceral arteries after EVAR was treated in Center of Vascular and Interventional Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The Third People’s Hospital of Chengdu. The surgical procedure of this patient was summarized, and the current status of total lumen technique in the treatment of such diseases was discussed and analyzed. Results The operation was successful, and it took only five hours, the intraoperative blood loss was about 100 mL, the patient was kept in ICU for one day and discharged one week after surgery and no serious postoperative complications occurred (such as spinal cord ischemia, liver and kidney insufficiency, infection, lower limb ischemia, puncture pseudoaneurysm, etc.). Aortic CT angiography was reexamined in three months after surgery, and the three-dimensional reconstruction showed that the aortic stent was stable, the blood flow of visceral branch arteries was smooth, and the aortic dissection was well isolated. Conclusion Endovascular repair of aortic dissection involving branch arteries of important organs can be achieved by external fenestration technique, it is a new treatment for aortic lesions involved visceral branch arteries.
ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of anatomical variations of the isolated left vertebral artery (ILVA) on clinical outcomes and imaging outcomes in patients with Stanford type B aortic dissection (TBAD) who underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair. MethodsThe clinical data of patients with TBAD in West China Hospital, Sichuan University from January 2016 to December 2023 were collected, and the differences of clinical outcomes and imaging outcomes between patients with and without ILVA were compared. ResultsBased on the inclusion criteria and the result of propensity score-based matching, 82 patients with TBAD were included, including 17 patients with ILVA (ILVA group) and 65 patients without ILVA (control group). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the radiological and surgical information (P>0.05). The median time of the follow-up for these 82 patients were 37 months, during which there were no significant differences in aortic-related death, aortic event, stroke, adverse aortic remodeling, type Ⅰ A endoleak, and retrograde progression between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the re-intervention rate [HR=2.56, 95%CI (1.55, 8.11), P=0.03] and the incidence of type Ⅱ internal leakage [OR=1.36, 95%CI (1.08, 2.11), P=0.04] in the ILVA group were higher. ConclusionsNo significant differences were observed for ILVA patients in terms of serious adverse events such as aortic-related death and retrograde progression, comparing with the patients with normal aortic arch. However, the patients with ILVA were more susceptible to complications such as reintervention and type Ⅱ endoleak, which warranted the necessity of intensive postoperative follow-up for these patients.
The treatment of aortic dissection has already shifted to endovascular strategies. However, with the evolution of this disease and a deeper understanding of it, experts from various countries have developed a series of innovative endovascular techniques and devices in areas such as lumen reconstruction, false lumen embolization, entry sealing, and branch arteries reconstruction, targeting the long-term complication of chronic post-dissection thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. The past few decades have seen that Chinese vascular surgeons have gradually emerged on the world stage and contributed multiple “Chinese solutions” for post-dissection thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. The author in this review intends to provide an overview of these techniques and devices mentioned above.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) with hostile stent-graft proximal landing zone. MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 13 patients with BTAI with hostile stent-graft proximal landing zone treated by TEVAR between December 2007 and December 2014. There were 10 males and 3 females with the mean age of 44 years (range, 24-64 years). The imaging examination indicated Stanford type B aortic dissection in 7 cases, pseudoaneurysm in 3 cases, aneurysm in 1 case, and penetrating ulcer in 2 cases. According to the partition method of thoracic aortic lesion by Mitchell, 8 cases underwent stent-graft with left subclavian artery (LSA) coverage, 3 underwent chimney stents for LSA, and 2 for left common carotid artery (LCCA). In 2 cases receiving chimney TEVAR involving LCCA, one underwent steel coils at the proximal segment of LSA to avoid type II endoleak and the other underwent in situ fenestration for endovascular reconstruction of LSA. ResultsAll TEVAR procedures were successfully performed. The mean operation time was 1.8 hours (range, 1-3 hours); the mean intraoperative blood loss was 120 mL (range, 30-200 mL); and the mean hospitalization time was 15 days (range, 7-37 days). No perioperative death and paraplegia occurred. The patients were followed up 3-30 months (mean, 18 months). Type I endoleak occurred in 1 case during operation and spontaneously healed within 6 months. Hematoma at brachial puncture site with median nerve compression symptoms occurred in 1 case at 3 weeks after operation; ultrasound examination showed brachial artery pseudoaneurysm and thrombosis, and satisfactory recovery was obtained after pseudoaneurysmectomy. No obvious chest pain, shortness of breath, left upper limbs weakness, numbness, and dizziness symptoms were observed. Imaging examination revealed that stentgraft and branched stent remained in stable condition. Meanwhile the blood flow was unobstructed. No lesions expanded and ruptured. No new death, bacterial infection, or other serious complications occurred. ConclusionAccording to Mitchell method, individualized plan may be the key to a promising result. More patients and further follow-up need to be included, studied, and observed.
In recent years, the diagnosis and management technology of type B aortic dissection (TBAD) has developed rapidly worldwide along with evidence-based medicine practice and clinical research data. But the standard clinical criteria are still limited. Based on this, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) and the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) established an expert group dominated by aortic surgeons to collate and analyze the comprehensive literature data of acute and chronic, complicated and uncomplicated TBAD. And then, the group formulated and officially released the clinical practice guidelines for TBAD in 2022. In this paper, we interpreted and analyzed the main contents of the guideline in combination with domestic research, in order to provide reference and help for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of TBAD at the present stage in China.
ObjectiveTo evaluate clinical outcomes of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR)for the treatment of Stanford type B aortic dissection (AD)and descending aortic aneurysm. MethodsClinical data of 20 patients with Stanford type B AD or descending aortic aneurysm who underwent TEVAR in West China Hospital from March to June 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 19 male and 1 female patients with their age of 41-76 (58.3±10.2)years. Clinical outcomes were analyzed. ResultsAmong the 20 patients, 18 patients were successfully discharged, 1 patient refused further postoperative treatment and was discharged, and 1 patient died postoperatively. Sixteen patients (88.9%)were followed up for over 3 months. In all the patients during follow-up, true lumen diameter recovered within the scope of intravascular stents, and there was thrombosis in false lumen or aneurysm lumen. ConclusionTEVAR provides a new choice with significant advantages for the treatment of Stanford type B AD, especially for the elderly and patients with concomitant serious diseases, so it is worthy of clinical application.
ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy of using a single branch stent-graft to treat primary intramural hematoma located at the distal arch or descending aorta in Stanford A type aortic intramural hematoma. MethodsFrom July 2020 to November 2022, 10 patients with primary intramural hematoma of Stanford A type aortic intramural hematoma were treated with endovascular repair using a single branch stent-graft in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital. There were 9 males and 1 female, aged from 32 to 66 years, with a mean age of (47.0±10.4) years. All patients had intramural hematoma involving the ascending aorta and aortic arch, diagnosed as type A intramural hematoma, with the tear located in the descending aorta. Among them, 6 patients were complicated by ulceration of the descending aorta with intramural hematoma, and 4 patients had changes of the descending aortic dissection. All patients underwent endovascular stent repair, with 8 patients undergoing emergency surgery (≤14 days) and 2 patients undergoing subacute surgery (15 days to 3 months). Results There were no neurological complications, paraplegia, stent fracture or displacement, or limb or visceral ischemia during the perioperative period in all patients. One patient had continuous chest pain after surgery, and the stent had a new tear at the proximal end, requiring ascending aorta and partial arch replacement. As of the latest follow-up, all patients had obvious absorption or complete absorption of the intramural hematoma in the ascending aorta and aortic arch compared with before the operation. ConclusionSingle branch stent-graft treatment of retrograde ascending aortic intramural hematoma is safe and effective, with good short-term results.
ObjectiveTo report a simple and safe method for in situ fenestration of left subclavian artery in thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR).MethodsTwenty-eight patients received in situ fenestration of left subclavian artery in TEVAR from June 2018 to May 2019 in our center, including 23 males and 5 females at an average age of 57.7±9.6 years. Among them, 12 patients used adjustable sheath or guiding catheter (a group A) and 16 patients used "J. D"technique (a group B). The clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared.ResultsIn the group A, 1 patient failed to receive fenestration and was transferred to the chimney technique. In the group B, 1 patient due to the traction system shift during operation, was completed by traditional adjustable sheath puncture. The group B had shorter alignment-perforation time and trigger time and less complications. There was no significant difference in endoleak during short-term follow-up between the two groups.ConclusionThe "J. D" technique is simple, safe and easy to obtain materials. It effectively reduces the risk caused by difficult sheath alignment during the in situ fenestration of the left subclavian artery. Although the results of recent follow-up are not significantly different from traditional methods, it still needs to accumulate the cases to observe the possible risks and difficulties.
ObjectiveTo analyze the risk factors relevant retrograde type A aortic dissection (RTAD) after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for Stanford type B aortic dissection and provide a reference for its prevention and management. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with Stanford type B aortic dissection who underwent TEVAR at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2017 to June 2023. The patients met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. The multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for RTAD, with a test level of α=0.05. ResultsA total of 176 patients were included, among whom 7 developed RTAD, with an occurrence rate of 3.98%. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the larger τ angle between the centerline of the aorta [OR (95%CI)=1.195 (1.032, 1.384)] and the degree of curvature of the aortic arch (the curve distance from the proximal brachiocephalic trunk to the distal left subclavian artery) [OR (95%CI)=0.756 (0.572, 0.999)], the higher probability of RTAD after TEVAR (P＜0.05). ConclusionsFrom the results of this study, it can be seen that for patients with Stanford B-type aortic dissection underwent TEVAR treatment, careful preoperative evaluation of morphological characteristics of the aortic arch (particularly the τ angle of the aorta centerline and the degree of curvature of the aortic arch (the curve distance from the proximal brachiocephalic trunk to the distal left subclavian artery) is crucial for reducing the occurrence of RTAD after TEVAR in patients with Stanford type B aortic dissection.
Objective To analyze the clinical effect of hybrid surgery on complex type B aortic dissection in 5 years. Methods A retrospective analysis of 47 patients with complex type B aortic dissection in the Central Hospital of Wuhan affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from 2014 to 2017 was conducted, including 42 males and 5 females with an average age of 54.9±11.2 years. Twenty-one patients underwent the left common carotid artery to the left subclavian artery bypass (a bypass group), and 26 patients underwent the left common carotid artery to the left subclavian artery transposition (a transposition group). Results All patients accepted hybrid surgery successfully. There was no statistical difference in arterial occlusion time or intraoperative blood loss between the two groups (P＞0.05). The 5-year follow-up rate was 100.0% (47/47). During the follow-up period, 12 (25.5%) patients developed complications, including 5 (10.6%) patients of endoleak, 5 (10.6%) patients of hoarseness, 2 (4.3%) patients of stroke/dizziness. There was no patient of left upper limb weakness, paraplegia or retrograde aotic dissection. The reconstructed left subclavian artery remained patent in 46 (97.9%) patients. The overall 5-year survival rate was 100.0%. Conclusion The long-term therapeutic outcome of hybrid surgery for the treatment of complex type B aortic dissection is satisfying. In 5 years, the rebuilt left subclavian artery has a remarkable patency rate. Endoleak and hoarseness are the most common surgical complications.