Impact of contrast-enhanced echocardiography on the diagnostic algorithm of acute aortic dissection

The association between pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm (PDAA) and local hemodynamic changes in pancreaticoduodenal arcades is well established. However, there are few case reports of PDAA associated with acute aortic dissection. In this article, we outline and discuss the case of a 61-year-old man diagnosed with a type A acute aortic dissection who underwent emergency surgery and developed sudden-onset severe abdominal pain and shock 10 days later. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a ruptured PDAA with feeding vessels from the gastroduodenal and superior mesenteric arteries, with evidence that the celiac artery was diverged from a false lumen. Transarterial embolization via the superior mesenteric artery alone was not expected to achieve hemostasis, so we performed a hybrid procedure involving transarterial embolization cannulated from superior mesenteric artery with complementary surgical ligation of the gastroduodenal artery. The postoperative course was uneventful, and follow-up contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed no persistence of the aneurysm 8 days after the second operation. This case proposed that visceral arterial malperfusion due to acute aortic dissection can cause PDAA in the early postoperative period. Although previous reports suggest that endovascular treatment is preferable, it may not always be feasible. Since ruptured PDAAs are often not detected during surgery, surgical treatment can be overly invasive. Whereas, transarterial embolization with complementary clamping or ligation of the gastroduodenal artery for ruptured PDAA is less invasive and can control hemorrhage, especially when cannulation to the celiac artery is impossible. Notably, the technique did not cause organ ischemia, presumably because the small collateral vessels of the pancreaticoduodenal arcades permitted sufficient blood flow. If endovascular treatment is unable to achieve rapid hemostasis, this technique may be a useful option for ruptured PDAA.

Download Full-text

Stanford type A acute aortic dissection with proximal intimo-intimal intussusception: a case report and literature review

Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery ◽

10.1186/s13019-021-01581-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hao Pan ◽

Wei Sun

Keyword(s):

Aortic Dissection ◽

Acute Aortic Dissection ◽

Type A ◽

Aortic Sinus ◽

Severe Aortic Regurgitation ◽

Bentall Procedure ◽

Optimal Intervention ◽

Contrast Enhanced ◽

Enhanced Computed Tomography ◽

Intimal Intussusception

Abstract Background Acute aortic circumferential dissection with proximal intimo-intimal intussusception is a rare and potentially lethal occurrence. We here report a case and review previous works to better understand this particular condition and help surgeons to determine accurate diagnosis and optimal intervention strategies by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Case presentation We report a case of a 46-year-old male who complained of sudden substernal chest pain. Stanford type A acute aortic dissection with proximal intimo-intimal intussusception was confirmed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT), transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), and TEE. We found the intimal flap prolapsed into the left ventricle outflow tract (LVOT), which caused severe aortic regurgitation (AR) and obstructed the ostia of the coronary arteries. Given the preexisting aneurysmal dilatation of aortic sinus and severity of aortic root and arch dissection, Bentall procedure and Sun’s procedure were performed for our patient. Conclusions Intraoperative TEE used by anesthesiologists here played an increasingly valuable role in the determination of acute aortic dissection. Hence, it is necessary that TEE screening is routinely performed in patients with acute aortic dissection to provide valuable information for facilitating surgical strategies.

Download Full-text

Patterns of aortic remodelling after total arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk for acute aortic dissection

Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery ◽

10.1093/icvts/ivz185 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (6) ◽

pp. 923-929 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Yasunori Iida ◽

Susumu Fujii ◽

Hideyuki Shimizu ◽

Shigeharu Sawa

Keyword(s):

Aortic Dissection ◽

Acute Aortic Dissection ◽

Type A ◽

Total Arch Replacement ◽

Elephant Trunk ◽

Descending Aorta ◽

Type A Aortic Dissection ◽

Contrast Enhanced Ct ◽

Contrast Enhanced ◽

Enhanced Ct

Abstract OBJECTIVES We investigated the outcomes of total arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk (FET) for Stanford type A acute aortic dissection and the patterns of postoperative aortic remodelling from computed tomographic (CT) findings. METHODS From April 2015 to November 2018, we performed total arch replacement with FET for Stanford type A aortic dissection in 30 patients. Postoperative contrast-enhanced CT showed the position of the FET distal end, the number and the site of communications between the lumina and the presence or absence of aortic remodelling. RESULTS Primary entry tear was found in the ascending aorta (n = 6), proximal arch (n = 6), aortic arch (n = 11) and distal arch (n = 7). The mean diameter and length of FET were 26 ± 2 and 84 ± 18 mm, respectively. Postoperative contrast-enhanced CT was performed in 26 patients. When the number of communications between the lumina was 0, complete aortic remodelling was achieved in all cases (n = 12). In the case of the most proximal tear in the descending aorta (n = 9), aortic remodelling was not recognized in 3 cases, and additional TEVAR was performed because of diameter enlargement. In the remaining 6 patients, neither aortic remodelling nor aortic diameter enlargement was recognized. When the most proximal tear was below the diaphragm (n = 5), aortic remodelling occurred up to the most proximal tear, but not in the periphery. CONCLUSIONS We investigated the patterns of aortic remodelling after total arch replacement with FET for Stanford type A aortic dissection from postoperative CT findings. Regardless of the position of the most proximal tear in the descending aorta, aortic remodelling did not occur as long as the most proximal tear was located in the descending aorta. When the most proximal tear occurred in the descending aorta, TEVAR as a pre-emptive treatment can be effective in preventing postoperative aortic adverse events.

Download Full-text