Project description:BackgroundSpinal cord injury (SCI) is a rare but severe complication after open or endovascular repair of descending thoracic aneurysms (DTAs) or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs). This meta-analysis aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of SCI rates and factors associated with SCI.MethodsA systematic literature search was performed in September 2022 looking for studies on open and/or endovascular repair of DTA and/or TAAA published after 2018, to update the results of our previously published meta-analysis. The primary outcome was permanent SCI. Secondary outcomes were temporary SCI, 30-day and in-hospital mortality, follow-up mortality, postoperative stroke, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drain-related complications. Data were pooled as proportions using inverse-variance weighting.ResultsA total of 239 studies (71 new studies and 168 from our previous meta-analysis) and 61,962 patients were included. The overall pooled rate of permanent SCI was 3.3% [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.9-3.8%]. Open repair was associated with a permanent SCI rate of 4.0% (95% CI, 3.3-4.8%), and endovascular repair was associated with a permanent SCI rate of 2.9% (95% CI, 2.4-3.5%). Permanent SCI was 2.0% (95% CI, 1.2-3.3%) after DTA repair, and 4.7% (95% CI, 3.9-5.6%) after TAAA repair; permanent SCI rate was 3.8% (95% CI, 2.9-5.0%) for Crawford extent I, 13.4% (95% CI, 9.0-19.5%) for extent II, 7.1% (95% CI, 5.7-8.9%) for extent III, 2.3% (95% CI, 1.6-3.5%) for extent IV, and 6.7% (95% CI, 1.7-23.1%) for extent V TAAA aneurysms. The pooled rate of CSF drain related complications was 1.9% (95% CI, 0.8-4.7%) for severe, 0.4% (95% CI, 0.0-4.0%) for moderate, and 1.8% (95% CI, 0.6-5.6%) for minor complications.ConclusionsPermanent SCI occurs after both endovascular and open DTA or TAAA repairs. Open repairs and TAAA repairs have higher risk of SCI compared with endovascular or DTA repairs. In particular, extent II aneurysms present the highest overall risk of SCI.
Project description:Extensive thoracic aortic disease involving the ascending aorta, the aortic arch, and the descending thoracic aorta may require multiple surgical and interventional managements, which impose a burden in terms of cumulative surgical trauma and the risk of interval mortality. Herein, we describe a single-stage arch and descending thoracic aorta replacement via sternotomy in a patient with multiple comorbidities presenting with an extensive thoracic aortic aneurysm.
Project description:Background Penetrating ulcers of aorta, aortic dissections and intramural hematomas all come under acute aortic syndromes and have important similarities and differences. Case report We report a 67?year old man with rupture of a large penetrating ulcer of the distal ascending aorta with hemopericardium and left hemothorax. He underwent interposition graft replacement of ascending aorta and hemi-arch with a 30?mm Gelweave Vascutek graft but represented 6?months later with development of a penetrating ulcer which ruptured into a huge 14?cm pseudoaneurysm. This was repaired with a 28?mm Vascutek Gelseal graft replacement of arch and interposition graft reconstruction of innominate and left common carotid arteries. 6?weeks later, however, he ruptured his proximal descending aorta and underwent TEVAR satisfactorily. Unfortunately, 2?days later, he developed a pathological fracture of left proximal tibia with metastasis from a primary renal cell carcinoma. He died 3?weeks later from respiratory failure. We shall briefly outline the similarities and differences in presentation and management of penetrating aortic ulcers, aortic dissections and intramural haematomas. We shall discuss, in greater detail, penetrating ulcers of thoracic aorta, their natural history, location, complications and management. Conclusion This case report is unique on account of initial successful surgical redressal following rupture of penetrating ulcer of distal ascending aorta into left pleural and pericardial cavities, normally associated with instant death. The haemodynamic effects of the rupture were staggered due to initial contained rupture into a smaller pseudoaneurysm, followed by a further rupture into a false aneurysmal sac followed eventually by generalised rupture into the pleural and pericardial cavities - a unique way of aortic rupture. Further development of another penetrating ulcer and a small pseudoaneurysm in the distal arch 6?months later which further ruptured into a larger 14?cm false aneurysmal sac, which again did not result in exsanguination, is again extraordinarily rare. Thereafter he underwent emergency thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for a further rupture of descending thoracic aorta. All three ruptures were managed successfully and would usually be associated with near-certain death, only for the patient to succumb eventually to the complications of metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
Project description:Pulmonary vein obstruction is rare condition characterized by challenging diagnosis and unfavorable prognosis at advanced stage. Computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) are often essential to reach a final diagnosis. External compression of pulmonary vein resulting from the mass effect of pseudoaneurysm and perianeurysmal hematoma due to aortic transection is extremely rare. We describe a case of traumatic transection of descending thoracic aorta where TEE was instrumental in the diagnosis of left upper pulmonary vein obstruction and help in the modification of the surgical plan.
Project description:To improve surgical pain control through cryoablation of intercostal nerves and reduce narcotic usage in patients undergoing open thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAA or TAAA) repair. From 2012 to 2018, 117 patients underwent open repair of TAA or TAAA. Of those patients, 25 (21%) received cryoablation (2016-2018) of their intercostal nerves and 92 (79%) did not (2012-2018). The primary outcome was pain scores and narcotic usage from extubation day 1 to 10 or the day of discharge. The median age (57 years), demographics, and preoperative comorbidities were not significantly different between the 2 groups. The cryoablation group had significantly more incidences of thoracoabdominal incisions (52% vs 28%), urgent operations (32% vs 11%), and longer duration of chest tubes compared to the noncryoablation group (all P < 0.05). T9-T12 intercostal arteries were selectively reimplanted. Left intercostal nerves were cryoablated from T3 to T9 if 2 thoracotomies were used; or 2 intercostal spaces above and below the thoracotomy if 1 thoracotomy was used. There were no significant differences between the noncryoablation and cryoablation groups in postoperative stroke, paraplegia (5%), pneumonia, and in-hospital mortality (0.9%). However, the average usage of narcotics was significantly reduced in the cryoablation group by 28 measured morphine equivalents (equal to four 5 mg Oxycodone)/patient/day in 10 days after extubation, P = 0.005. With cryoablation of intercostal nerves, the postoperative surgical pain was well controlled and narcotic usage was significantly decreased after TAA or TAAA repair. Cryoablation of intercostal nerves was a safe and effective measure for postoperative pain control in TAA or TAAA repair.
Project description:Elastic and muscular arteries differ in structure, function, and mechanical properties, and may adapt differently to aging. We compared the descending thoracic aortas (TA) and the superficial femoral arteries (SFA) of 27 tissue donors (average 41±18 years, range 13-73 years) using planar biaxial testing, constitutive modeling, and bidirectional histology. Both TAs and SFAs increased in size with age, with the outer radius increasing more than the inner radius, but the TAs thickened 6-fold and widened 3-fold faster than the SFAs. The circumferential opening angle did not change in the TA, but increased 2.4-fold in the SFA. Young TAs were relatively isotropic, but the anisotropy increased with age due to longitudinal stiffening. SFAs were 51% more compliant longitudinally irrespective of age. Older TAs and SFAs were stiffer, but the SFA stiffened 5.6-fold faster circumferentially than the TA. Physiologic stresses decreased with age in both arteries, with greater changes occurring longitudinally. TAs had larger circumferential, but smaller longitudinal stresses than the SFAs, larger cardiac cycle stretch, 36% lower circumferential stiffness, and 8-fold more elastic energy available for pulsation. TAs contained elastin sheets separated by smooth muscle cells (SMCs), collagen, and glycosaminoglycans, while the SFAs had SMCs, collagen, and longitudinal elastic fibers. With age, densities of elastin and SMCs decreased, collagen remained constant due to medial thickening, and the glycosaminoglycans increased. Elastic and muscular arteries demonstrate different morphological, mechanical, physiologic, and structural characteristics and adapt differently to aging. While the aortas remodel to preserve the Windkessel function, the SFAs maintain higher longitudinal compliance.