Safety and Efficacy of Stent Graft Implantation for Malignant Superior Vena Cava Syndrome

Background: Patients with malignant superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) usually require urgent treatments due to a high potential risk of early mortality. Stent implantation can rapidly improve the symptoms of SVCS, which may be beneficial to subsequent anti-tumor therapy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of stent graft implantation for the treatment of superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction caused by non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) with acute post-stenting occlusion. Methods: Between October 2014 and December 2019, 16 patients were selected for stent graft implantation. Technical success and clinical efficacy were assessed. Stent patency and patient survival rates, as well as the complications were analyzed. Results: There were 17 stent grafts implanted in 16 patients. The technical success was 100%. The residual stenosis after initial implantation was 64.0 ± 9.0%. The stent expanded to an optimal size in 5.5 ± 2.2 days after the initial deployment. Migration occurred when deploying of the stent graft in one patient; this stent graft was successfully stabilized by a second one. No other complications related to the procedure were found except one migration. At 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, the cumulative survival rates were 100%, 75%, 56%, 19% and 0%, respectively. The mean OS was 173 days. The median survival was 166 days. Conclusions: Stent graft can be safely used in patients with SVC obstruction with a good long-term patency rate.

Stent Graft Placement by Pseudoaneurysm of the Hepatic Arteries: Efficacy and Patency Rate in Follow-up

Purpose To investigate efficacy and patency status of stent graft implantation in the treatment of hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm. Materials and Methods A retrospective analysis of patients who had undergone endovascular treatment of hepatic artery pseudoaneurysms between 2011 and 2020 was performed. Medical records were examined to obtain patients’ surgical histories and to screen for active bleeding. Angiographic data on vascular access, target vessel, material used and technical success, defined as the exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm by means of a stent graft with sufficient control of bleeding, were collected. Vessel patency at follow-up CT was analyzed and classified as short-term (< 6 weeks), mid-term (between 6 weeks and 1 year), and long-term patency (> 1 year). In case of stent occlusion, collateralization and signs of hepatic hypoperfusion were examined. Results In total, 30 patients were included and of these, 25 and 5 had undergone stent graft implantation and coiling, respectively. In patients with implanted stent grafts, technical success was achieved in 23/25 patients (92%). Follow-up CT scans were available in 16 patients, showing stent graft patency in 9/16 patients (56%). Short-term, mid-term, and long-term short-term stent patency was found in 81% (13/16), 40% (4/10), and 50% (2/4). In patients with stent graft occlusion, 86% (6/7) exhibited maintenance of arterial liver perfusion via collaterals and 14% (1/7) exhibited liver abscess during follow-up. Conclusion Stent graft provides an effective treatment for hepatic artery pseudoaneurysms. Even though patency rates decreased as a function of time, stent occlusion was mainly asymptomatic due to sufficient collateralization.

Stent-graft and double-guiding catheter technique to rescue iatrogenic coronary perforation

IntroductionCoronary artery perforation (CAP) is an infrequent, yet life-threatening complication of percutaneous coronary interventions, posing a major risk of cardiac tamponade and mortality.Material and methodsWe report on effective management of Ellis type III CAP with use of double-guiding catheter technique and stent-graft implantation.ResultsProlonged balloon inflation via the first guiding catheter allows for temporary closure of the bleeding site. At the same time, stent-graft is inserted via the second guiding catheter to seal the perforation. After rapid deflation of the balloon, the stent is immediately advanced and expanded.ConclusionsThe procedure minimises the time between deflation of the balloon and implantation of the stent-graft, allowing for successful bleeding cessation.

Quality of life: modified triple-branched stent graft implantation versus frozen elephant trunk technique

Objective To compare the effects of modified triple-branched stent implantation and frozen elephant trunk technique on the quality of life (QoL) of acute Stanford Type A aortic dissection (AAAD) patients at different follow-up times. Methods Data from 175 AAAD survivors was collected which were divided into two groups according to different surgical techniques: (group A): modified triple-branched stent graft implantation; (group B): frozen elephant trunk. The SF-36 were used to assess the QoL at discharge (AD), the third postoperative month (POM3), and the twelfth postoperative month (POM12). Results (1) The total scores at each time of both groups showed lower than the normal level; Group A scored higher than group B at some time points in terms of some items (role physical, role emotion and mental health; all P = 0.000), and some items at POM3 or POM12 scored higher than at discharge (role physical, social function; both P = 0.000). (2) There were less patients with heavy self-perceived burden in group A than group B at discharge (P = 0.032) and patients with heavy self-perceived burden decreased over time. (3) Young postoperative AAD patients (P = 0.002) in group B (P = 0.005) with heavy self-perceived burden (P = 0.000), acute renal failure (P = 0.008), long LOS (P = 0.026) and blood loss (> 1000 mL/24 h) (P = 0.039) seemed to get a worse QoL. Conclusion The impact on QoL of the modified triple-branched stent graft implantation technique seemed to be better than those of frozen elephant trunk surgery in role physical, role emotion and mental health.

Risk factors of hepatic dysfunction after total arch repair of acute type A aortic dissection with modified triple-branched stent graft implantation

Background: Hepatic dysfunction (HD) is a serious complication after cardiovascular surgery. However, risk factors of developing hepatic dysfunction after acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) are largely unclear. Methods: The clinical data of 227 patients with AAAD repaired by modified triple-branched stent graft implantation from January 2018 to January 2020 were collected retrospectively, including preoperative , surgical and postoperative information. Logistics regression was used to explore the potential risk factors of HD. Results: In the early stage after operation, a total of 57 patients were complicated with HD, accounting for 25.11%. The hospital mortality rate in these patients with HD was 19.30%, while the rate in patients without HD was only 6.5%. We found that preoperative body mass index (BMI)>30kg/㎡(OR: 7.054, 95%CI: 1.798-27.678, P=0.005), preoperative renal insufficiency(OR:7.575,95%CI:2.923-19.629, P=0.000),preoperative moderate/severe pericardial effusion(OR: 16.409, 95%CI: 2.81-93.444, P=0.002) and cardiopulmonary bypass time>180min (OR: 7.190, 95%CI: 3.113-16.608, P＝0.000) were independent risk factors for HD after AAAD repaired by modified triple-branched stent graft implantation. Conclusions: Preoperative BMI>30kg/㎡, preoperative renal insufficiency, preoperative moderate/severe pericardial effusion and cardiopulmonary bypass time>180min are independent risk factors for HD after total arch repair with modified triple-branched stent graft implantation in AAAD patients. And the occurrence of HD after operation would prolong the time of mechanical ventilation and the hospitalization time of ICU, and significantly increase the in-hospital mortality of patients. Keywords: risk factors,acute type A aortic dissection,hepatic dysfunction, modified triple-branched stent graft implantation, total arch repair

Quality of Life: Modified Triple-branched Stent Graft Implantation Versus Frozen Elephant Trunk Technique

Objective: To compare the effects of modified triple-branched stent implantation and frozen elephant trunk technique on the quality of life (QoL) of acute Stanford Type A aortic dissection (AAAD) patients at different follow-up times.Methods: Data from 175 AAAD survivors was collected which were divided into two groups according to different surgical techniques: (group A): modified triple-branched stent graft implantation; (group B): frozen elephant trunk. The SF-36 were used to assess the QoL at discharge(AD), the third postoperative month (POM3), and the twelfth postoperative month (POM12).Results: (1)The total scores at each time of both groups showed lower than the normal level; Group A scored higher than group B at some time points in terms of some items (role physical, role emotion and mental health; all P=0.000), and some items at POM3 or POM12 scored higher than at discharge (role physical, social function; both P=0.000). (2) There were less patients with heavy self-perceived burden in group A than group B at discharge (P=0.032) and patients with heavy self-perceived burden decreased over time. (3) Young postoperative AAD patients (P=0.002) in group B (P=0.005) with heavy self-perceived burden (P=0.000) , acute renal failure (P=0.008) , long LOS (P=0.026) and blood loss（> 1000 mL / 24h）(P=0.039) seemed to get a worse QoL. Conclusion: The impact on QoL of the modified triple-branched stent graft implantation technique seemed to be better than those of frozen elephant trunk surgery in role physical, role emotion and mental health.

Typical Retrograde Type A Dissection After Previous Type B Dissection

Background: Stanford type B aortic dissection (TBAD) retrograde tears to Stanford type A AD (RTAAD) have been reported only rarely, but are often fatal. Early diagnosis and timely surgery are essential. We present a typical case of RTAAD after the tip of the stent directly damaged the ascending aorta wall. Case: A 71-year-old woman was admitted to our department for chest pain and back pain for 10 hours. She had undergone coated stent graft implantation surgery a month previously for TBAD. On first impression, we suspected the AD may have progressed or torn retrogradely. RTAAD was confirmed by computed tomography angiography, and we successfully performed open surgery. Conclusion: RTAAD should be suspected in patients with chest and back pain after endovascular stent repair. Prompt recognition is essential, and early surgical treatment is strongly recommended.