Subcapsular hepatic hematoma as a complicating cardiac surgery

An 80-year-old woman was hospitalized for aortic valve insufficiency, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and ascending aortic aneurysm. She underwent aortic valve replacement, pulmonary vein isolation, left atrium appendectomy, and ascending aorta replacement. She developed a subcapsular hepatic hematoma during the surgery. The patient was managed conservatively and discharged successfully.

Early and mid-term outcomes of modified aortic root repair for acute stanford type A aortic dissection

Background Acute Stanford type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) is the most common catastrophic aortic event. Most ATAAD involves the aortic root which has many important anatomical structures such as aortic valve, so the proper treatment of dissected root can ensure a good prognosis for patients. However, there is still no consensus on root management strategies for ATAAD patients with aortic root involvement. Purpose This clinical study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of modified aortic root repair in ATAAD. Methods From September 2017 to September 2020, Participants with root involvement of ATAAD were recruited who underwent modified aortic root repair as well as some additional procedure such as aortic valve junction suspension plasty based on the aortic sinus tear extent. During this novel procedure, the proximal anastomosis plane was at the level of the sinu-tubular junction and the false lumen below it was retained. We collected and analyzed the perioperative clinical data and follow-up imaging data of patients, and further evaluated the early and mid-term efficacy of this surgical approach. Results A total of 79 patients were enrolled, including 59 males and 20 females, the age was (52.4±11.3) years old (28–73 years), the diameter of aortic sinus was (38.6±4.1) mm, and the diameter of sinu-tubular junction was (41.8±4.8) mm. In this group, 75 patients (94.9%) received ascending aorta replacement, total arch replacement and frozen elephant trunk, 2 patients (2.5%) received ascending aorta replacement and hybrid total arch replacement, 2 patients (2.5%) received ascending aorta replacement and partial arch replacement. Cardiopulmonary bypass time was (197.2±58.6) min (118–455 min), blocking time was (132.6±38.9) min (73–323 min), circulatory arrest time was (10.3±7.0) min (0–27 min). There was no perioperative death, no paraplegia, one secondary thoracotomy, five renal failures needing hemodialysis treatment and two cerebral infarctions. Before patients discharged, aortic CTA showed that the residual false lumen in the sinus disappeared. And the diameter of the aortic sinus was (35.5±3.1) mm, the diameter of the junction of the aortic sinus was (30.0±3.0) mm. The patients were followed up for (18±12) months (3–35 months). There was one patient died during follow-up and no further surgical intervention at the root of the aorta. Follow-up aortic CTA showed no residual or new dissection in the aortic sinus and no significant difference in the diameters of aortic sinu-tubular junction (P=0.122) or aortic sinus (P=0.37) between postoperative period and follow-up period. Echocardiography showed that the structure and function of the aortic valve were normal. Conclusions The modified aortic root repair for ATAAD is relatively simple, easy to learn and safe in perioperative period. Early and mid-term follow-up image examination showed that the structure of aortic sinus returned to normal. The long-term clinical effect requires close attention. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Modified aortic root repair procedure Aortic root diameter change under CTA

Expanding Perigraft Seroma after A scending Aorta Replacement

BackgroundPerigraft seroma is a persistent and sterile fluid confined within a fibrous pseudomembrane surrounding a graft that develops after graft replacement. Development of perigraft seroma is an uncommon complication that occurs after the surgical repair of the thoracic aorta using woven polyester grafts. mechanism underlying perigraft seroma formation remains unclear.Case presentationHerein, we describe the case of 77-year-old man who underwent repeat sternotomy for the treatment of large perigraft seroma 1 year after ascending aorta replacement for acute type A dissection. After removing a cloudy yellow fluid, we covered the prosthetic graft with fibrin glue and wrapped it with a new graft. Bacterial culture and laboratory examination of the fluid confirmed the final diagnosis of perigraft seroma, and there was no evidence of recurrence. The area in which fluid accumulated around the graft shrunk 1 year after surgery.ConclusionsThe cause of a expanding perigraft after repair of the thoracic aorta remains unknown. Physicians should be aware that chronic expanding mediastinal seroma with Dacron grafts is one of the rare postoperative complications of thoracic aortic surgery. Applying fibrin glue to the graft surface might effectively prevent the recurrence of perigraft seroma.

Comparison of two techniques (in vivo and ex-vivo) for evaluating the elastic properties of the ascending aorta: Prospective cohort study

Introduction Aneurysms of the ascending aorta (AA) correspond to a dilatation of the ascending aorta that progressively evolves over several years. The main complication of aneurysms of the ascending aorta is type A aortic dissection, which is associated with very high rates of morbidity and mortality. Prophylactic ascending aorta replacement guidelines are currently based on maximal AA diameter. However, this criterion is imperfect. Stretching tests on the aorta carried out ex-vivo make it possible to determine the elastic properties of healthy and aneurysmal aortic fragments (tension test, resistance before rupture). For several years now, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has provided another means of evaluating the elastic properties of the aorta. This imaging technique has the advantage of being non-invasive and of establishing aortic compliance (local measurement of stiffness) without using contrast material by measuring the variation of the aortic surface area during the cardiac cycle, and pulse wave velocity (overall stiffness of the aorta). Materials and methods Prospective single-center study including 100 patients with ascending aortic aneurysm requiring surgery. We will perform preoperative cine-MRI and biomechanical laboratory stretching tests on aortic samples collected during the cardiac procedure. Images will be acquired with a 3T MRI with only four other acquisitions in addition to the conventional protocol. These additional sequences are a Fast Low Angle Shot (FLASH)-type sequence performed during a short breath-hold in the transverse plane at the level of the bifurcation of the pulmonary artery, and phase-contrast sequences that encodes velocity at the same localization, and also in planes perpendicular to the aorta at the levels of the sino-tubular junction and the diaphragm for the descending aorta. For ex-vivo tests, the experiments will be carried out by a biaxial tensile test machine (ElectroForce®). Each specimen will be stretched with 10 times of 10% preconditioning and at a rate of 10 mm/min until rupture. During the experiment, the tissue is treated under a 37°C saline bath. The maximum elastic modulus from each sample will be calculated. Results The aim of this study is to obtain local patient-specific elastic modulus distribution of the ascending aorta from biaxial tensile tests and to assess elastic properties of the aorta using MRI, then to evaluate the correlation between biaxial tests and MRI measurements. Discussion Our research hypothesis is that there is a correlation between the evaluation of the elastic properties of the aorta from cardiac MRI and from stretching tests performed ex-vivo on aorta samples collected during ascending aorta replacement.

Small-Diameter Vessels Reconstruction Using Cell Tissue-Engineering Graft Based on the Polycaprolactone

Polycaprolactone (PCL) is widely applied for the construction of small-diameter tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEGs) due to its biomechanical properties, slow degradation, and good biocompatibility. In the present study the TEG based on a tubular scaffold seeded with smooth muscle aortic cells (SMCs) in a rat abdominal aorta replacement model was tested. Polyester tubular scaffolds were generated by thermally induced phase separation and seeded with rat SMCs. To track the implanted SMCs in vivo, cells were labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs). Histological evaluation of the migration of autologous endothelial cells (ECs) and formation of the endothelial lining was performed 4, 8, and 12 weeks after graft interposition. TEG demonstrated a high patency rate without any complications at the end of the 12-week period. The migration of ECs into the lumen of the implanted TEG and formation of the cell monolayer were already present at 4 weeks, as confirmed by histological analysis. The architecture of both neointima and neoadventitia were similar to those of the native vessel. SPION-labeled SMCs were detected throughout the TEG, indicating the role of these cells in the endothelization of scaffolds. The SMC-seeded scaffolds demonstrated improved patency and biointegrative properties when compared to the acellular grafts.

Use of ASD closure device for the sealing of false lumen entry in the ascending aorta after dissection Type A surgical repair

We present a case of a persistent false lumen after ascending aorta replacement due to Stanford Type A dissection treated by endovascular means. The main entry tear was occluded with an atrial septal defect closure device, sealing the false lumen. A total of five additional stents were implanted to centralise and secure the flow in the true lumen. CT scan at 6-month follow-up showed excellent results with a decreased total aortic diameter and thrombosed false lumen.

Transfusion in Elective Proximal Aortic Reconstruction: Where Do We Currently Stand?

Background Aortic procedures are associated with higher risks of bleeding, yet data regarding perioperative transfusion in this patient population are lacking. We evaluated transfusion patterns in patients undergoing proximal aortic surgery to provide a benchmark against which future standards can be assessed. Methods Between June 2014 and July 2017, 247 patients underwent elective aortic reconstruction for aneurysm. Patients with acute aortic syndrome, endocarditis, and/or prior cardiac surgery were excluded. Transfusion data were analyzed by type of operation: ascending aorta replacement ± aortic valve procedure (group 1, n = 122, 49.4%); aortic root replacement with a composite valve–graft conduit ± ascending aorta replacement (group 2, n = 93, 37.7%); valve-sparing aortic root replacement (VSARR) ± ascending aorta replacement (group 3, n = 32, 13.0%). Results Thirty-day mortality for the entire cohort was 2.02% (5 deaths). Overall, 75 patients (30.4%) did not require any transfusion of blood or other products. Patients in groups 1 and 3 were significantly more likely to avoid transfusion than those in group 2. Mean transfusion volume for any individual patient was modest; those who underwent VSARR (group 3) required less intraoperative red blood cells (RBC) than others. Intraoperative transfusion of RBC was independently associated with an increased risk of death at 30 days. Conclusions Elective proximal aortic reconstruction can be performed without the need for excessive utilization of blood products. Composite root replacement is associated with a greater need for transfusion than either VSARR or isolated replacement of the ascending aorta.

Large mural thrombus in the non-aneurysmal and non-atherosclerotic ascending aorta: a case report

Background The mural thrombus in the ascending aorta is rare, most of which are associated with aneurysm or atherosclerotic lesions, with high risks of causing catastrophic thrombotic events. A mural thrombus in the non-aneurysmal and non-atherosclerotic ascending aorta is exceptionally uncommon. Case presentation We reported a large mural thrombus in normal ascending aorta of an asymptomatic patient. Preoperative imaging confirmed the presence of the sessile thrombus located at the left anterior wall of ascending aorta. Given that it had the potential to cause fatal thrombotic complications, surgical removal and segment of ascending aorta replacement were executed. The patient had an uneventful recovery and discharged 14 days after surgery. Conclusions Anticoagulant is the therapeutic cornerstone of ascending aortic thrombus, but surgery should be performed aggressively when the thrombus is large or floating to avoid severe embolic complications or recurrence.

Back-Table Modified Stent-Graft for Endovascular Repair of Ascending Aorta

Objectives To investigate the effectiveness of modified stent-grafts (SGs) for the management of ascending aortic pathologies. Materials and Methods From January 2015 to December 2019, 31 individuals were treated by ascending aortic endovascular repair with a back-table modified SG for acute (n=4) or chronic (n=1) type A aortic dissections, penetrating aortic ulcers (n=18), pseudoaneurysms (n=2), anastomotic fistula (n=1), and endoleaks after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) (n=5). The commercially available thoracic aortic SGs were modified with a fenestration or truncation technique on the back-table according to aortography during the operation. Results The 30-day mortality and aorta-related mortality rates were 12.9% and 6.5%, respectively. There were 2 strokes, 3 respiratory insufficiencies, and 6 endoleaks during hospitalization. During a mean follow-up of 28.8±16.6 months, the overall survival rates at 1 year and 3 years were both 80.6%. Free from adverse event rates at 1 year and 3 years were 88.9% and 84.7%, respectively. There were 2 deaths during follow-up: One patient died of cachexia 1 month after discharge, and the other patient died of acute myocardial infarction 3 months after discharge. One patient with a pseudoaneurysm underwent open ascending aorta replacement 3 months after discharge for a type Ia endoleak. Another patient suffered from cerebellar infarction 17 months after discharge. Conclusion The modified SG for endovascular repair of the ascending aorta is a practicable alternative and presents acceptable outcomes in high-risk patients.