Successful repair of an anomalous right coronary artery arising from the pulmonary artery in a 10 month-old

Echocardiogram (Figure 1A-B) in an asymptomatic 6 month-old raised suspicion for anomalous Right Coronary Artery (RCA) from the Pulmonary Artery (ARCAPA) with retrograde flow from the RCA to the main pulmonary artery. The patient’s left ventricular systolic function was normal. Subsequent cardiac catheterization confirmed the diagnosis as angiography showed that the RCA arose from the anterior aspect of the main pulmonary artery and filled retrograde via a collateral network from the Left Coronary Artery (LCA) system (Figure 1C-D). At 10 months of age, the patient underwent surgical translocation of the RCA to the aorta. On direct visualization, the RCA arose from the anterior wall of the main pulmonary artery and the robust collateral supply of the RCA from the LCA was visualized on the heart’s epicardium (Figure 2). The patient did well and was discharged home several days later. Three months after the operation, the patient continues to do well with normal left ventricular systolic flow and prograde flow into the reimplanted RCA.

Preliminary Study on the Application of Ultrahigh Field Magnetic Resonance in Moyamoya Disease

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used for the evaluation of moyamoya disease (MMD). In this paper, we describe the features of time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (TOF-MRA) and susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) at 7 T in a series of MMD patients. In this prospective pilot study, 7 patients (median age: 45.6 years; range: 30-52 years) with MMD and no contraindications for MRI underwent T2-weighted, SWI, and TOF-MRA sequences using a research 7 T head-only scanner. We show that such sequences at ultrahigh field (UHF) represent new and valuable approaches to unravel and characterize MMD. While SWI reveals more remarkable imaging signs related to an improved magnitude and phase contrast imaging, the collateral network pathways in MMD could be excellently delineated using 7 T TOF-MRA. In particular, using SWI and MRA fusion images in UHF MRI helps to improve the detection of bleeding points in hemorrhagic MMD. Our findings indicate that ultrahigh field MRI is very promising to access the severity of the disease and may facilitate revascularization surgery of MMD patients.

Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease: When the Development of Arterial Collateral Network Takes Over

This report describes the collateral pathways that restore arterial circulation in cases of aortoiliac occlusive disease and discusses the clinical and surgical importance of these systemic-systemic, visceral-systemic, and visceral-visceral anastomoses.

Abdominal collateral veins as an unconventional access site for hemodialysis after primary access failure

Introduction: Vascular access dysfunction and the depletion of access pathways are complications associated with morbidity and mortality in dialysis patients. As described in the literature, catheter insertion through small collateral veins or recanalized cervical and thoracic veins is an attractive option. Case Description: This article reports a case in which a collateral vein in the abdominal region was used as an access for hemodialysis. Conclusion: After multiple attempts with fistulas and catheters, the left abdominal wall collateral network proved to be a successful access site. Using unconventional veins can be an alternative in these patients.

The intraspinal arterial collateral network: a new anatomical basis for understanding and preventing paraplegia during aortic repair

OBJECTIVES The anatomical distribution pattern of epidural intraspinal arteries is not entirely understood but is likely to substantially impact maintaining perfusion during segmental artery sacrifice when treating acute and chronic thoraco-abdominal aortic diseases. We investigated the anatomical distribution pattern of intraspinal arteries. METHODS Twenty fresh, non-embalmed cadaveric human bodies were studied. Anatomical dissection and investigation of the epidural arterial network were performed according to a standardized protocol. We used a generalized mixed linear model to test whether the presence probability for certain vessels differed between vertebrae/segments. RESULTS There was craniocaudal continuity of all ipsilateral longitudinal connections from T1 to L5 by the anterior radicular artery. The mean [±standard deviation (SD)] number of transverse anastomoses was 9.7 ± 2.1. The presence probability of transverse anastomoses along the spine was different between vertebrae (P < 0.0001). There were 2 distribution peaks along the spine: 1 peak around T4–T6 and 1 around T11. The mean (±SD) number of thoracic and lumbar anterior radiculomedullary arteries (ARMAs) was 3.0 ± 1.1. The probability of the presence of ARMAs along the spine was different for each vertebral segment (P < 0.0001). Between ARMAs there were gaps of up to a maximum of 9 vertebrae. All Adamkiewicz arteries were located caudally to T7. The median segment of the Adamkiewicz presence was T10/11. CONCLUSIONS The epidural collateral network shows craniocaudal continuity. The number of transverse anastomoses is high. The number of ARMAs is low, and there is considerable variation in their distribution and offspring, which is highly likely to impact perfusion during segmental artery sacrifice when treating thoraco-abdominal aortic disease.

Arteriogenesis of the Spinal Cord—The Network Challenge

Spinal cord ischemia (SCI) is a clinical complication following aortic repair that significantly impairs the quality and expectancy of life. Despite some strategies, like cerebrospinal fluid drainage, the occurrence of neurological symptoms, such as paraplegia and paraparesis, remains unpredictable. Beside the major blood supply through conduit arteries, a huge collateral network protects the central nervous system from ischemia—the paraspinous and the intraspinal compartment. The intraspinal arcades maintain perfusion pressure following a sudden inflow interruption, whereas the paraspinal system first needs to undergo arteriogenesis to ensure sufficient blood supply after an acute ischemic insult. The so-called steal phenomenon can even worsen the postoperative situation by causing the hypoperfusion of the spine when, shortly after thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) surgery, muscles connected with the network divert blood and cause additional stress. Vessels are a conglomeration of different cell types involved in adapting to stress, like endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and pericytes. This adaption to stress is subdivided in three phases—initiation, growth, and the maturation phase. In fields of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair, pre-operative selective segmental artery occlusion may enable the development of a sufficient collateral network by stimulating collateral vessel growth, which, again, may prevent spinal cord ischemia. Among others, the major signaling pathways include the phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K) pathway/the antiapoptotic kinase (AKT) pathway/the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) pathway, the Erk1, the delta-like ligand (DII), the jagged (Jag)/NOTCH pathway, and the midkine regulatory cytokine signaling pathways.