Total Aortic Arch Replacement: Case Report of the first successful total arch replacement in Nepal and Review of contemporary techniques in arch surgery

Aortic arch replacement is formidable cardiac surgery that is fraught with complications like brain injury, coagulopathy along with high mortality. Over the past several years, various techniques like deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, retrograde cerebral perfusion, and selective antegrade cerebral perfusion along with branched graft techniques have been developed with better early outcomes. We share our experience of successful replacement of ascending and total aortic arch in a 60 years old female, who presented with ascending and aortic arch aneurysm.

Four-branched graft inversion technique for the distal anastomosis in acute aortic dissection

Background Distal anastomosis bleeding is an issue during total arch replacement with the frozen elephant trunk technique. We used the 4-branched graft inversion technique for the distal anastomosis in acute aortic dissection. The aim was to evaluate the feasibility and benefits of the technique used during the frozen elephant trunk procedure for acute aortic dissection. Methods From January 2017 to July 2019, 109 patients underwent total arch replacement for type A acute aortic dissections. Patients were divided according to the technique used for the distal anastomosis as follows: group G (n = 57; 4-branched graft inversion technique) and group C (n = 52; conventional method with Teflon felt). The postoperative variables were analysed. Results The hospital mortality rate was 9.2% (10/109). The mean cardiopulmonary bypass, cardiac arrest, and circulatory arrest times were 234.95 ± 71.88 min, 168.25 ± 61.33 min, and 39.19 ± 9.45 min, respectively. The circulatory arrest and cardiac arrest times were shorter in the graft inversion group than in the conventional group (36.46 ± 7.88 min vs. 42.19 ± 10.17 min, P = 0.001 and 156.21 ± 55.99 min vs. 181.44 ± 64.68 min, P = 0.031, respectively). There were 7 cases of stroke (6.4%) and 5 cases of paraplegia (4.6%). Additionally, 13 patients (11.9%) required temporary continuous renal replacement therapy. Respiratory failure occurred in 19 patients (17.4%). There were no significant differences in postoperative complications between the two groups. Conclusions The 4-branched graft inversion technique provides effective and confirmed haemostasis during total aortic arch replacement using the frozen elephant trunk procedure.

Utilizing patient-specific 3D printed guides for graft reconstruction in thoracoabdominal aortic repair

In thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair, repairing the visceral and segmental arteries is challenging. Although there is a pre-hand-sewn and multi-branched graft based on the conventional image-based technique, it has shortcomings in precisely positioning and directing the visceral and segmental arteries. Here, we introduce two new reconstruction techniques using patient-specific 3D-printed graft reconstruction guides: (1) model-based technique that presents the projected aortic graft, visualizing the main aortic body and its major branches and (2) guide-based technique in which the branching vessels in the visualization model are replaced by marking points identifiable by tactile sense. We demonstrate the effectiveness by evaluating conventional and new techniques based on accuracy, marking time requirement, reproducibility, and results of survey to surgeons on the perceived efficiency and efficacy. The graft reconstruction guides cover the segmentation, design, fabrication, post-processing, and clinical application of open surgical repair of thoracoabdominal aneurysm, and proved to be efficient for accurately reconstructing customized grafts.

Utilizing Patient-specific 3D Printed Guides for Graft Reconstruction in Thoracoabdominal Aortic Repair

In thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair, repairing the visceral and segmental arteries is challenging. Although there is a pre-hand-sewn and multi-branched graft based on the conventional image-based technique, it has shortcomings in precisely positioning and directing the visceral and segmental arteries. Here, we introduce two new reconstruction techniques using patient-specific 3D-printed graft reconstruction guides: 1) model-based technique that presents the projected aortic graft, visualizing the main aortic body and its major branches and 2) guide-based technique in which the branching vessels in the visualization model are replaced by marking points identifiable by tactile sense. We demonstrate the effectiveness by evaluating conventional and new techniques based on accuracy, marking time requirement, reproducibility, and results of survey to surgeons on the perceived efficiency and efficacy. The graft reconstruction guides cover the segmentation, design, fabrication, post-processing, and clinical application of open surgical repair of thoracoabdominal aneurysm, and proved to be efficient for accurately reconstructing customized grafts.

Frozen Elephant Trunk with Gore Thoracic Endovascular Graft and Quadrifurcate Graft

The frozen elephant trunk has simplified the surgical treatment of the entire thoracic aorta; moreover many different technical variants of how to do it have been described. Our procedure include implantation of a Gore CTAG graft into the aortic arch followed by a teflon reinforced suture line that should include the stent graft and the native aorta. The 4-branched graft is then sutured to the distal stump therefore creating a custom-made frozen elephant trunk hybrid prosthesis. Three patients with acute type A aortic dissection and primary entry tear in the arch were operated with this technique. There were no early or late deaths, moreover no neurologic events occurred. The purpose of this article is to introduce an innovative technique for total arch replacement with the combination of a Gore CTAG stent graft used as a frozen elephant trunk and a standard 4-branched graft for arch reconstruction.

One minute of circulatory arrest for acute type A aortic dissection --------- a simple operation for acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD)

Background Sun’s procedure is currently recognized as the standard procedure for acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD). But the operation istoo difficult for beginners. We hope to reduce the difficulty and complications of this operation. Methods The aortic arch was immediately cross-clamped after the stented graft was inserted into the distal aorta. Thereafter, the lower-body perfusion was restored. Then, anastomosis was performed between the proximal stent graft and the distal 4-branched Dacron graft. The other arteries were anastomosed to the arched branch of the 4-branched graft. Results The cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time was (207 ± 52) min, and the aortic cross-clamp time was (114 ± 39) min. The circulatory arrest time was (38 ± 16) sec. One patient (4%) died. The incidence of complications was stroke (4%), renal dysfunction requiring dialysis (4%), prolonged intubation(12%). Conclusions The time of circulatory arrest in this operation is less than 1 min, which can avoid the complications caused by DHCA and decrease risk of bleeding and complexity by shifting anastomosis more proximally. The effect of our operation is similar to and even better than that of Sun’s procedure. It does not even require relatively advanced skill, much experience and excellent psychological quality, especially suitable for beginners.