Fate of the Dissected Thoraco-Abdominal Aorta Distal to TEVAR (Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair) for Complicated Acute and Subacute Type B Aortic Dissection

Purpose: This study assessed morphological changes in the aortic true and false lumens during follow-up of patients undergoing TEVAR (Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair) for complicated acute and subacute type B dissection. The study analyzes the effectiveness of TEVAR in preventing distal aneurysmal progression. Materials and Methods: All patients between 2009 and 2019 undergoing TEVAR for complicated acute and subacute type B dissection at the study institution were retrospectively reviewed. Maximal diameters were measured on the proximal descending aorta right below the left subclavian artery, thoraco-abdominal junction right above the celiac trunk, and infrarenal aortic right above the inferior mesenteric artery, pre-operatively and during follow-up, analyzing either expansion or shrinkage of true and false lumens at these 3 sites. Results: Forty-one patients were included. Thirty-day incidence of death, stroke, paraplegia, and visceral ischemia was, respectively, 8% (n = 4), 6% (n = 3), 2% (n = 1), and 2% (n = 1). Three patients (6%) died from intervention-related cause. Mortality was 17% (n = 8) during a mean follow-up of 54 months. One patient had aneurysmal dilation of the descending aorta needing additional coverage and only 2 (4%) developed thoraco-abdominal aneurysms requiring re-intervention. In the remaining patients, both significant expansion of the true lumen and shrinkage of false lumen were observed at all 3 sites. Conclusion: Proximal coverage of the main entry tear appears to prevent aneurysmal progression in most patients (96%). With such promising results, TEVAR should be considered as a first-line treatment in acute and subacute type B dissection.

Magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of the outcomes of brachiocephalic artery dissection

Introduction. Vessel wall imaging in patients with dissection plays an impotent role in the differential diagnosis of stenoocclusive processes of the main arteries of the head. However, the interpretation of changes in long-term periods remains difficulties. Purpose: to determine and compare the imaging patterns of the consequences of the postponed dissection using MRI and ultrasound.Materials and methods. 30 patients with confirmed dissection were examined for more than 1 year from the date of diagnosis. MRI was performed using vessel wall protocol imaging before and after contrast enhancement.Results. Postpone dissection imaging patterns were revealed: aneurysmal dilation of the artery (27%) and double lumen (20%) at the site of dissection; prolonged stenosis in 10% of cases, intimal flap — in 3% of cases. Occlusion persisted in 40% of cases.Conclusion. The use of MRI can improve the differential diagnosis of the causes of the stenоocclusive process of the main arteries of the head.

Staged hybrid single lumen reconstruction (TIGER) with bilateral subclavian transposition coupled with thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair in the management of acute symptomatic complex type B aortic dissection in a patient with arteria lusoria

We present a 54-year-old Caucasian woman, who presented with acute symptomatic type B aortic dissection with deteriorating renal function. She was a known smoker with a 2-year history of dysphagia. CT angiography documented the artery of lusoria arising from the mid-thoracic aorta, aneurysmal dilation of her descending aorta, and kinetic and static flaps around her visceral ostia. The patient was managed by staged hybrid single lumen reconstruction and bilateral subclavian to carotid transpositions. During follow-up, there was no aortic rupture or retrograde type A dissection. There were no renal, visceral, cardiac, pulmonary or spinal complications. The patient went off her antihypertensive medication with a normal estimated glomerular filtration rate and accelerated aortic modulation.

Congenital coronary artery-to-pulmonary fistula with giant aneurysmal dilatation and thrombus formation: a case report and review of literature

Background Coronary artery-to-pulmonary artery fistula is a rare disorder characterized by abnormal vascular communication between the coronary artery and pulmonary artery. While most patients remain asymptomatic, some might exhibit symptoms of myocardial ischemia, congestive heart failure, or even sudden cardiac death if coronary aneurysm, thrombosis, infective carditis, or other congenital cardiac defects coexist. Case presentation We present a 66-year-old male complaining of angina pectoris with a history of hypertension and active smoking. He was diagnosed with a coronary aneurysm based on coronary computed tomography angiography. We subsequently identified a coronary artery-to-pulmonary artery fistula with giant aneurysmal dilation on coronary angiography. Ultimately we conducted surgery ligation and aneurysmorrhaphy. During surgery, we discovered newly formed thrombus within the aneurysmal cavity. Histological analysis of the aneurysmal wall supported the diagnosis of the congenital disorder. Our patient was successfully discharged and remained asymptomatic at two months of follow-up. Conclusion We presented a rare and complex combination of congenital coronary artery-to pulmonary artery fistula, giant coronary aneurysmal dilatation, and thrombosis through multi-modality evaluations.

Child with Kawasaki Disease Complicated by A Single Right Coronary Artery

A 3-year-old boy was referred to our hospital for management of Kawasaki disease at 5 days of illness. Echocardiographic examination on admission suggested aneurysmal dilation of the right coronary artery and a possible aorta-left main trunk connection. However, detailed echocardiography at 12 days of illness revealed an abnormal bifurcation of the proximal right coronary artery and no real connection of the aorta-left main trunk, all of which indicated the presence of a single right coronary artery. These diagnoses were confirmed by selective coronary angiography, which was performed later. Considering the difficulties in diagnosing congenital coronary anomalies, which may increase the risk of future fatal events, knowing the disease entity of the congenital coronary arterial anomaly is important for the accurate evaluation of coronary arteries in patients with Kawasaki disease. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of a patient with Kawasaki disease complicated by a single right coronary artery; however, following a search of the literature, we found a brief conference abstract written in Japanese relating to the same clinical condition.

Swept source OCT-Angiography assessing a case of aneurysmal type 1 neovascularization secondary to high-myopic posterior staphyloma

Aim: To report an uncommon case of aneurysmal type 1 neovascularization (polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy) secondary to high-myopic staphyloma in a Caucasian patient, assessed with multimodal imaging including swept source OCT-Angiography. Methods: Observational case report Results: About 73-year-old Caucasian male patient with high myopia (axial length = 27.24 mm). Fundus examination showed a myopic conus and a deep orange-brownish nodular lesion at the edge of a deep haemorrhage and connected to a large choroidal vessel. ICGA showed a circular hyperfluorescent lesion in mid-phase, without any branching vascular network. OCT-Angiography could detect the aneurysmal lesion non-invasively as a small circular high-flow lesion in the outer retina slab, with a shadowing in the choriocapillaris slab. At the level of the aneurysmal lesion, structural OCT showed a high bilobed PED, without any subretinal fluid. A vascular flow was noted within the PED on cross-sectional OCT-A, confirming the vascular aneurysmal nature of this lesion. Additionally, swept source OCT highlighted the presence of an abrupt change in choroidal thickness, from 62 µm in the peripapillary area to 120 µm underneath the polypoidal lesion, with dilated choroidal vessels. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first report of OCT-A findings in aneurysmal (polypoidal) dilation secondary to high-myopic staphyloma. We could demonstrate the usefulness of OCT-A detecting non-invasively the aneurysmal dilation and the usefulness of swept source OCT assessing the choroidal structure to better understand the pathophysiology of this uncommon finding.

Histopathological changes in dilated ascending aorta associated with aortic valve cuspidity

OBJECTIVES Patients with a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) often present with a dilated ascending aorta. However, the underlying pathogenesis for the observed changes in the aortic wall and the resulting aneurysmal dilation remains a subject of debate. This study aims to compare the histological abnormalities of the ascending aorta in BAV and tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) patients and their correlation with aortic diameter and patient age. METHODS A total of 376 patients from our institution’s clinical database were included in the retrospective analysis. These patients underwent either elective surgery for ascending aorta dilation or emergency surgery for aortic dissection, either isolated or with a structurally diseased aortic valve. After excision, the ascending aorta samples were analysed by a pathologist. RESULTS On histological examination, a higher degree of elastic fibre fragmentation and loss and mucoid extracellular matrix accumulation was present in the samples from TAV patients when compared with that from BAV patients (P < 0.001). However, correlation was poor for all variables when considering aortic diameter and histological abnormalities or age and histological abnormalities in both BAV and TAV patients. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates a greater incidence of severe histological abnormalities in TAV patients when compared with BAV patients.

Abstract 13129: Chest Pain and Inflammation: A Story Where Hickam’s Dictum Prevailed

A 39-year-old male presented with a chief complaint of chest pain that worsened with deep breathing for one day. He was found to be tachycardic, with distant heart sounds and a skin nodule over his right upper extremity. ECG revealed diffuse ST elevations and PR segment depressions with TTE showing a small pericardial effusion. Troponin I was 8.98 ng/mL and NT-proBNP was 981 pg/mL. One day after admission, he developed respiratory distress, and repeat TTE showed a large pericardial effusion with collapse of the RV free wall during diastole with variation of mitral and tricuspid valve inflows consistent with tamponade. Pulsus paradoxus was 24 mmHg and he was taken for pericardiocentesis. Skin nodule biopsy revealed nodular and interstitial granulomatous dermatitis. Anti-nuclear antibody and double stranded DNA antibody were positive with pericardial fluid cytology showing acute inflammation with lupus erythematosus cells. Based upon this constellation of findings, he was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) myopericarditis, and started on colchicine and immunosuppression, with resolution of symptoms. One week into hospitalization, the chest pain recurred but was sharp and substernal, with a rising troponin from 1.23 ng/mL to 8.23 ng/mL. TTE showed depressed LVEF of 45% and RCA territory hypokinesis without effusion. CTA PE showed no evidence of thromboembolism and CT coronary demonstrated mural thickening of the mid LAD and aneurysmal dilation of the left main to the LAD and left circumflex bifurcation concerning for vasculitis. The mid RCA was occluded, and patient was taken to the cardiac catherization laboratory revealing thrombotic occlusion of the proximal-to-mid RCA. Despite serial balloon dilation, thrombotic occlusion persisted, Aspiration thrombectomy evacuated organized thrombus prior to deployment of two overlapping drug-eluting stents in the proximal-to-mid RCA, restoring flow. TTE prior to discharge showed normal LVEF and no effusion. This case illustrates various cardiac manifestations of SLE and the unusual dynamic nature of this patient’s multiple presentations of chest pain. Avoiding “diagnostic anchoring” is important to diagnosing and treating conditions such as SLE, that can affect the heart in multiple ways.

Vinpocetine protects against the development of experimental abdominal aortic aneurysms

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), commonly occurring in the aged population, is a degenerative disease that dilate and weaken infrarenal aorta due to progressive degeneration of aortic wall integrity. Vinpocetine, a derivative of alkaloid vincamine, has long been used for cerebrovascular disorders and cognitive impairment in the aged population. Recent studies have indicated that vinpocetine antagonizes occlusive vascular disorders such as intimal hyperplasia and atherosclerosis. However, its role in vascular degenerative disease AAA remains unexplored. Herein, we determined the effect of vinpocetine on the formation of AAA as well as the intervention of pre-existing moderate AAA. AAA was induced by periaortic elastase application in C57BL/6J mice. Systemic vinpocetine treatment was applied daily via intraperitoneal injection. We showed that vinpocetine pre-treatment remarkably attenuated aneurysmal dilation assessed by diameter and volume. More importantly, vinpocetine also significantly suppressed the progression of pre-existing moderate AAA in a post-intervention model. Vinpocetine improved multiple cellular and molecular changes associated with AAA, such as elastin degradation, media smooth muscle cell depletion, collagen fibers remodeling and macrophage infiltration in aneurysmal tissues. Vinpocetine potently suppressed tumor necrosis factor-α-induced nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells activation and proinflammatory mediator expression in primary cultured macrophages in vitro, as well as in the aorta wall in vivo, suggesting vinpocetine conferred anti-AAA effect at least partially via the inhibition of inflammation. Taken together, our findings reveal a novel role of vinpocetine in AAA formation, development and progression. Given the excellent safety profile of vinpocetine, the present study suggests vinpocetine may be a novel therapeutic agent for AAA prevention and treatment.

Abstract TP86: Clinical Significance of Gadolinium Enhancement in Non-Hemorrhagic Intracranial Artery Dissection

Background and Purpose: The mechanisms involved in progression of non-hemorrhagic intracranial artery dissection (IAD) are poorly understood. Contrast enhancement of intracranial saccular aneurysms on magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging (VWI) is thought to predict instability. We investigated the relationship between contrast enhancement of dissecting lesions and progression of IADs based on the hypothesis that this finding might predict instability. Methods: A total of 39 IADs in 36 patients (17 women and 19 men; mean age: 49 years) were investigated retrospectively. Three-dimensional T1-weighted fast spin-echo sequences were obtained before and after injection of contrast medium, and the vessel wall/pituitary stalk contrast enhancement ratio (CRstalk) was calculated. Progression of IADs was defined as morphological deterioration; progressive dilatation or stenosis. The relations between IAD progression and potential risk factors, including patient demographic data, IAD morphology, and VWI findings, were investigated by statistical analysis. Results: The mean follow-up period was 9.7 months (range: 1-24 months). Progression was detected in 6 of 39 IADs (15%). Five IADs demonstrated aneurysmal dilatation and the other showed stenosis/occlusion. There were no significant differences of demographic factors between the patients with or without IADs progression. IADs with aneurysmal dilation demonstrated significant morphological deterioration (p=0.01). All IADs without contrast enhancement (n=7) improved within one month. Contrast enhancement corresponded to the pseudo-lumen of dissecting lesions. The CRstalk value was significantly higher in IADs with progression than in stable lesions (1.10 ± 0.09 vs. 0.80 ± 0.05, p =0.01). Conclusions: The pseudo-lumen of dissecting lesions may be identified by contrast enhancement. Quantitative analysis of contrast enhancement could be useful for predicting instability of IADs during follow-up.