Project description:PurposeTo assess outcomes of a low-profile thoracic stent-graft in the treatment of thoracic aortic pathologies.MethodsA retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients with aortic thoracic pathologies treated with the RelayPro device in two university hospitals between October 2018 and July 2019.Results23 patients (65% men; mean age 63.4 ± 15 years) were treated. Pathologies included aortic dissections (n = 10), 5 residual type A (22%) and 5 type B (22%), 6 degenerative aortic aneurysms (26%), 4 penetrating aortic ulcers (17%), and aortic erosion, intramural hematoma and aortic rupture (n = 1 and 4% in each case). Two cases (9%) were emergent and two urgent. Proximal landing was achieved in zones 0 (4%), 1 (4%), 2 (43%), and 3 (26%). Five grafts were frozen elephant trunk extensions. Technical success was 100% with accurate device deployment in the intended landing zone of the aortic arch in all 23 patients and with no Ia/III endoleaks and three (13%) type II endoleaks. Apposition was adequate in 96%. Two patients had post-implantation syndromes (one fever, one leukocytosis). Mean follow-up was 11.6 ± 3.7 months (range, 2-16) with no other complications, secondary interventions or conversions to open surgery. There was no 30-day mortality and no aortic-related mortality; all-cause mortality was 4% during follow-up.ConclusionA 3-4 French reduced profile in the current generation of stent-grafts facilitates TEVAR particularly in patients with smaller vessels access. Early safety and effectiveness outcomes are favorable, even in endpoints such as deployment accuracy and apposition which may be surrogates for longer-term clinical success and durability.
Project description:A traumatic thoracic aortic injury is fatal in the majority of cases. Surviving the aortic injury in addition to the myriad of associated trauma requires comprehensive medical management from many medical services. Balancing these services and coordinating the medical care requires free and open communication between services. Although one might assume a thoracic aortic injury takes precedence over other injuries, an organized plan of care in which the morbidity of the injury as well as the consequences of treatment of each injury helps provide an appropriate "rank order" in the treatment process. A patient with a thoracic aortic injury can be observed for several days while additional injuries are treated, as long as appropriate blood pressure controls are observed. The treatment order for multiple injuries must be reevaluated on a regular basis to adjust for changes in the overall clinical condition. This rank order to treatment and scheduled treatment plan allows for appropriate imaging, evaluation, and coordination of services in preparation for the placement of a thoracic aortic stent graft. The goal of treatment is to reduce the risk of aortic rupture and subsequent fatal hemorrhage. Choosing an open surgical repair versus an endovascular stent graft depends upon physician expertise and clinical status of the patient. In the appropriate clinical setting, endovascular repair of the thoracic aortic injury has become the treatment of choice at the authors' institution in patients with significant operative risks and extensive comorbid injuries. Specific characteristics of the injured aorta also dictate the type of endovascular device required for repair. Case reviews of a patient with blunt trauma and a patient with penetrating trauma used to demonstrate clinical parameters, imaging options, and details of stent graft choice and placement, are presented followed by a review of the literature.
Project description:Consideration for oversizing the proximal stent graft is suggested in endovascular aortic repair. However, a special recommendation for the proximal oversizing ratio (OSR) in patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) is ambiguous. This study aims to evaluate the effect of different degrees of the proximal oversizing ratio (OSR) on risk of type IA endoleak (TIAEL) in hemodynamically stable and unstable patients with rAAA undergoing emergency endovascular aortic repair (EVAR). Our study included 134 rAAA patients undergoing emergent EVAR, and we did not observe a significant association between hemodynamic instability and risk of T1AEL (HR 3.89, 95%CI 0.40-37.75, p = 0.24). All three T1AELs in the hemodynamically unstable subgroup were observed in patients with OSR ≤ 30%, but no significant difference was found regarding T1AEL between patients with OSR > 30% and OSR ≤ 30% (0.00% vs. 11.11%, p = 0.19). As for hemodynamically stable patients, OSR > 20% was associated with a significantly decreased risk of T1AEL (HR 0.03, 95%CI 0.01-0.53, p = 0.016). In conclusion, a proximal OSR > 20% is associated with a decreased risk of T1AEL in hemodynamically stable patients, while an OSR > 30% did not add an additional advantage of lowering the risk of T1AEL in hemodynamically unstable patients.
Project description:OBJECTIVE:This study explored the clinical efficacy and hemodynamic effects of the micropore stent graft (MSG) that could promote aortic remodeling and preserve important organ branches. METHODS:We conducted a retrospective analysis of 26 patients who underwent endovascular repair using an MSG for DeBakey types I and III TAD at our center between December 2014 and December 2017. The main efficacy parameters were rupture of the false lumen or dissection-related death, conversion to open repair, secondary reintervention, branch vessel patency, and the hemodynamic effects of TAD at 12 months. RESULTS:Dissection rupture, dissection-related mortality, conversion to open repair, and secondary reintervention rates at 12 months were 0, 3.9, 0, and 0%, respectively. In the 24 patients with more than 6 months of follow-up, micropore stents were implanted to cover 39 openings in aortic arch branches, 91.7% (22/24) presented with complete thrombosis in the false lumen, 8.3% (2/24) presented with partial thrombosis in the false lumen, 35.2% (6/17) presented with a thrombus in the false lumen that was completely absorbed, and all 39 branches were patent. After surgery, pressure peak value and fluctuation along with the degree and range of unstable blood flow in the aortic lumen decreased. CONCLUSIONS:For type I and type III thoracic artic dissection, endovascular treatment with an MSG may be a safe and effective treatment option with a good midterm outcome.
Project description:BackgroundSimultaneous treatment of multilevel aortic disease is controversial due to the theoretic increase in morbidity. This study was conducted to define the outcomes in patients treated electively with simultaneous thoracic endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (TEVAR) and abdominal aortic endovascular endografting for synchronous aortic pathology.MethodsPatients treated with simultaneous TEVAR and endovascular aneurysm repair (T&E) at the University of Florida were identified from a prospectively maintained endovascular aortic registry and compared with those treated with TEVAR alone (TA). The study excluded patients with urgent or emergency indications, thoracoabdominal or mycotic aneurysm, and those requiring chimney stents, fenestrations, or visceral debranching procedures. Demographics, anatomic characteristics, operative details, and periprocedural morbidity were recorded. Mortality and reintervention were estimated using life-table analysis.ResultsFrom 2001 to 2011, 595 patients underwent TEVAR, of whom 457 had elective repair. Twenty-two (18 men, 82%) were identified who were treated electively with simultaneous T&E. Mean ± standard deviation age was 66 ± 9 years, and median follow-up was 8.8 months (range, 1-34 months). Operative indications for the procedure included dissection-related pathology in 10 (45%) and various combinations of degenerative etiologies in 12 (55%). Compared with TA, T&E patients had significantly higher blood loss (P < .0001), contrast exposure (P < .0001), fluoroscopy time (P < .0001), and operative time (P < .0001). The temporary spinal cord ischemia rate was 13.6% (n = 3) for the T&E group and 6.0% for TA (P = .15); however, the permanent spinal cord ischemia rate was 4% for both groups (P = .96). The 30-day mortality for T&E was 4.5% (n = 1) compared with 2.1% (n = 10) for TA. Temporary renal injury (defined by a 25% increase over baseline creatinine) occurred in two T&E patients (9.1%), with none requiring permanent hemodialysis; no significant difference was noted between the two groups (P = .14). One-year mortality and freedom from reintervention in the T&E patients were 81% and 91%, respectively.ConclusionsAcceptable short-term morbidity and mortality can be achieved with T&E compared with TA, despite longer operative times, greater blood loss, and higher contrast exposure. There was a trend toward higher rates of renal and spinal cord injury, so implementation of strategies to reduce the potential of these complications or consideration of staged repair is recommended. Short-term reintervention rates are low, but longer follow-up and greater patient numbers are needed to determine procedural durability and applicability.
Project description:PurposeUsing the data delivered by the German Trauma Register DGU® from 2002 till 2013, the value of different therapies of blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) in Germany was analyzed.MethodsProspectively collected data of patients suffering from BTAI were retrospectively analyzed with focus on the different treatment modalities for grade I-IV injuries.Results821 patients suffering from BTAI were identified: 51.6% (424) grade I injury, 35.4% (291) grade II or III injury and 12.9% (106) grade IV injury (77.5% men [44.94 ± 20.6 years]). The main patterns of injury were high- speed accidents and falls (78.0% [n = 640], 21.8% [n = 171] respectively). Significant differences between grade I and grade II/III as well as IV injuries could be assessed for the incidence of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, a Glasgow Coma Scale score below 8 and a systolic blood pressure below 90 mmHg (p-value: <0.001). In the primary admission subgroup, 44.1% (197/447) of the patients received best medical treatment, 55.9% received surgical intervention (250/447): Thereof 37.2% (93/250) received open surgery and 62.8% (147/250) had been treated by endovascular means. Significantly lower 24-h- and in-hospital-mortality rates were encountered after endovascular treatment for all gradings of BTAI (p-value: <0.001). Yet this subgroup of patients showed the lowest incidence of further severe injuries and cardiac arrest.ConclusionEndovascular therapy became the treatment of choice for BTAI in Germany. Patients who have been treated by surgical means showed the highest survival rate, especially endovascular therapy showed a favorable low mortality rate.
Project description:PurposeTreatment of blunt thoracic aortic injuries (BTAIs) has shifted from the open surgical approach to the use of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), of which early outcomes appear promising but controversy regarding long-term outcomes remains. The goal of this study was to determine the long-term TEVAR outcomes for BTAI, particularly radiographic outcomes, complications and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).MethodsRetrospectively, all patients with BTAIs presented at a single level 1 trauma center between January 2008 and December 2018 were included. Radiographic and clinical outcomes were determined (early and long term). In addition, HRQoL scores using EuroQOL-5-Dimensions-3-Level (EQ-5D-3L) and Visual Analog Scale (EQ-VAS) questionnaires were assessed, and compared to an age-adjusted reference and trauma population.ResultsThirty-one BTAI patients met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 19/31 received TEVAR of which three died in hospital due to aorta-unrelated causes. In total, 10/31 patients died due to severe (associated) injuries before TEVAR could be attempted. The remaining 2/31 had BTAIs that did not require TEVAR. Stent graft implantation was successful in all 19 patients (100%). At a median radiographic follow-up of 3 years, no stent graft-related problems (endoleaks/fractures) were observed. However, one patient experienced acute stent graft occlusion approximately 2 years after TEVAR, successfully treated with open repair. Twelve patients required complete stent graft coverage of the left subclavian artery (LSCA) (63%), which did not result in ischemic complaints or re-interventions. Of fourteen surviving TEVAR patients, ten were available for questionnaire follow-up (follow-up rate 71%). At a median follow-up of 5.7 years, significant HRQoL impairment was found (p < 0.01).ConclusionThis study shows good long(er)-term radiographic outcomes of TEVAR for BTAIs. LSCA coverage did not result in complications. Patients experienced HRQoL impairment and were unable to return to an age-adjusted level of daily-life functioning, presumably due to concomitant orthopedic and neurological injuries.
Project description:BackgroundDelayed thoracic aortic injury (DTAI) induced by left closed rib fractures (RFs) is a clinically rare blunt injury to the thoracic aorta with an insidious onset. DTAI is very prone to missed diagnosis due to the unreliability of using the initial post-injury computed tomography (CT) scan to explicitly detect any signs of an aortic injury, potentially leading to a fatal hemorrhage. Timely diagnosis and treatment are therefore key to preventing such deadly complications. With that said, not all cases of left RFs lead to delayed aortic injuries, so how can surgeons tell which cases are to be culled and focused on? Also, what kinds of treatment should be administered upon detection?MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of DTAI cases induced by left closed RF that were admitted to our Hospital from June 2015 through June 2020. Injuries to the aortic tunica adventitia or the elastic layer were intraoperatively confirmed. CT scan findings, locations and numbers of RFs, as well as the choices of surgical procedure were reviewed postoperatively. In addition, a literature review was conducted to analyze characteristics shared by similar cases.ResultsThis study included 7 patients treated by our hospital and 8 reported in the literature. The broken ends of RFs causing aortic wall injury (including the tunica adventitia) were all found in the medial to the lateral erector spinae. All patients in our hospital received internal fixation for RFs and thoracoscopic removal of free bone fragments (if any). Concomitant injuries were managed either by simultaneous or staged surgery.ConclusionsFor multiple left RFs with the broken ends located in the inside of the lateral erector spinae, the number of fractured ribs ≥4 and a smaller number of fractured ribs with multiple fractures in a single rib are important factors for DTAI. Active surgical intervention is recommended for patients with these important factors. The specific intervention is tailored to each patient's particular needs to eliminate the risk of developing life-threatening thoracic aortic injury (TAI) and rupture.
Project description:Endovascular repair has been introduced to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with open surgical repair of aortic arch pathology. We illustrate total percutaneous transfemoral approach with a 3-vessel inner branch stent-graft to treat aortic arch aneurysm. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.) Graphical abstract