Double Barreled Graft (Chimney) as a Strategy to Preserve Supraortic Branches in Contained Ruptured Thoracic Aneurysm Thoraco Endovascular Aortic Aneurysmal Repair- A Case Report

Out of many strategies that are used to treat aortic arch disease, including open surgery, branched techniques, and hybrid repair with Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Aneurysmal Repair (TEVAR) and supra-aortic branch reconstruction and fenestration, Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Aneurysmal Repair (TEVAR) incorporating chimney is frequently used in unstable and morbid patients not suitable for other procedures. We describe here a case of contained rupture of a thoracic aortic aneurysm, which was treated with TEVAR incorporating a double chimney to the left common carotid and left subclavian arteries. There was an uncomplicated course of the procedure with complete coverage of aneurysm with stent-graft and open aortic arch vessels when followed up to 6 months. There were no complications noted as well. In this case we took the precaution to upsize the stent-graft by 20% to 30% also for adequate coverage of aneurysm we had to adopt to the chimney technique. To prevent complications like gutter and endoleaks, the kissing technique was used during deployment. In addition, there was adequate coverage of chimney-grafts with adequate proximal projection.

Arterial-embolic Strokes and Painless Vision Loss Due to Phase II Aortitis and Giant Cell Arteritis: A Case Report

Introduction: Aortitis refers to abnormal inflammation of the aorta, most commonly caused by giant cell arteritis (GCA). Herein, we present a 57-year-old female with aortitis and arterial-embolic strokes secondary to GCA. Case Report: Our patient presented to the emergency department following an episode of transient, monocular, painless vision loss. Computed tomography angiogram head and neck demonstrated phase II aortitis, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed evidence of arterial-embolic strokes. Conclusion: Cerebrovascular accident is a rare complication of large-vessel vasculitis and can occur due to multiple underlying etiologies including intracranial vasculitis, aortic branch proximal occlusion, or arterial-embolic stroke.

Strategies to improve outcomes for acute type A aortic dissection with cerebral malperfusion

OBJECTIVES We aimed to identify predictors of postoperative permanent neurological deficits (PNDs) and evaluate the early management of cerebral perfusion in patients undergoing surgical repair of acute type A aortic dissection with cerebral malperfusion. METHODS Between October 2009 and September 2018, a total of 197 patients with acute type A aortic dissection underwent aortic replacement. Of these, 42 (21.3%) patients had an imaging cerebral malperfusion (ICM). ICM was assessed preoperatively, which also revealed whether dissected supra-aortic branch vessels were occluded or narrowed by a thrombosed false lumen. After September 2017, early reperfusion and extra-anatomic revascularization were performed in cases with ICM. RESULTS Hospital mortality rates for cases with ICM were 4.8% (2/42). Before September 2017, PND were observed in 6 patients (54.5%) with preoperative neurological symptoms (n = 11), and 7 patients (33.3%) without neurological symptoms (n = 21) in patients with ICM. Occlusion or severe stenosis of supra-aortic branch vessels (odds ratio, 7.66; P < 0.001), regardless of preoperative clinical neurological symptoms, was a risk factor for PND. After September 2017, 7 of 10 patients with ICM underwent early reperfusion and extra-anatomic revascularization. PND did not occur in any of these 7 patients. CONCLUSIONS Occlusion or severe stenosis of supra-aortic branch vessels is a predictor of PND risk in patients undergoing surgery for acute type A aortic dissection. Early reperfusion and extra-anatomic revascularization may reduce the risk of neurological complications in patients with ICM, with or without neurological symptoms.

Untreated Takayasu arteritis: an unusual case of widespread disease

A 38-year-old man with no medical history presented with bilateral flank and epigastric abdominal pain. CT abdomen and pelvis demonstrated diffuse nodules and lymphadenopathy, which were biopsied and showed chronic inflammatory changes. He later presented with pleuritic chest pain and was sent for a CT chest angiogram, which revealed perivascular inflammation involving the thoracic aortic arch, supra-aortic branch vessels and descending thoracic aorta. Further work-up showed vasculitic involvement of the coeliac, superior mesenteric and femoral arteries with heavy collateralisation. These findings were most consistent with widespread Takayasu arteritis that had been untreated for nearly 20 years. It was necessary to define the degree of active inflammation and need for immediate therapy, as the patient had a concomitant latent tuberculosis infection that precluded the use of immunosuppressive medications. This report illustrates an unusual case of Takayasu arteritis and highlights the presentation, diagnosis and work-up of suspected cases.

Aortic cannula orientation and flow impacts embolic trajectories: computational cardiopulmonary bypass

Introduction: Emboli events are associated with the aortic cannula insertion and final position in the ascending aorta. However, the impact of subtle changes in aortic cannula movement and flow influencing embolic transport throughout the aortic arch is not well understood. The present study evaluated the aortic cannula’s outflow and orientation effect on emboli entering the aortic branch arteries. Methods: A simplified aortic computational model was anteriorly cannulated in the distal ascending aorta with a 21-French straight aortic cannula, and two orientations were analysed by injecting gaseous and solid emboli at pump flows 2, 3 and 5 L/minute. The first aortic cannula orientation (forward flow cannula) was directed towards the lesser curvature. The second aortic cannula orientation (rear flow cannula) was tilted slightly backwards by 15°, providing flow in the retrograde direction. Results: Forward flow cannula produced a primary arch flow, whereas rear flow cannula produced a secondary arch flow resulting in four times longer emboli arch resident times than forward flow cannula. The rear flow cannula had the highest percentage of gaseous emboli entering the brachiocephalic artery of 8%, 12% and 36% (at 2, 3 and 5 L/minute, respectively). Rear flow cannula provided a positive aortic branch arterial flow at all pump flows, whereas at forward flow cannula, the brachiocephalic artery experienced retrograde flows of −1.0% (3 L/minute) and −4.0% (5 L/minute), with the left common carotid −0.23% (5 L/minute). No significant number of solid emboli entered the aortic branch arteries. Conclusion: This numerical study illustrated distinct trajectory behaviours between gaseous and solid emboli where slight changes in aortic cannula orientation influenced idealised emboli direction with higher pump flows magnifying the effects.