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

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.

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.

Early safety performance of a modified technique of aorta replacement with sinotubular stabilization

Background We sought to determine if a modified technique for ascending aorta replacement with sinotubular junction reduction and stabilization was safe. Methods This technique was performed by suspension of the three commissures, invagination of the aortic Dacron graft and advancing the graft into the ventricles. We included patients with dilatation of the ascending aorta, normal sinuses of Valsalva dimension (<45 mm), with or without aortic annulus enlargement (>25 mm) and with various degree of aortic insufficiency (from grade 1 to 3). Results From April to October 2019, 20 patients were recruited from two centers; mean age was 66.9 ± 12.8 years, 13 were male; grade 1, 2 and 3 was present in 12, 2 and 6 patients, respectively. All patients underwent ascending aorta replacement with modified technique; an additional open subvalvular ring was used in 8 patients with aortic insufficiency ≥ 2; cusps repair was performed in 6 patients (5 plicating central stitches/1 shaving); concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting was performed in 10 patients. There was no 30-day mortality. One patient was re-explored for bleeding. All patients completed six-month follow-up; at the transthoracic echocardiography, there was no aortic insufficiency ≥ 1 except one patient with aortic insufficiency grade 1 who underwent ascending aorta replacement and subvalvular ring; no patients underwent reintervention. Conclusions This modified technique for ascending aorta replacement and sinotubular junction stabilization was safe. It could be associated with other aortic valve sparing techniques. However, such remodeling approach has to be validated in a larger cohort of patients with longer follow-up.

Long-term fate of the ascending aortic wall after wrapping with polytetrafluoroethylene felt: A case series

Background: Aortic wrapping aims to prevent aortic enlargement or dissection; it is less invasive than ascending aorta replacement. Several studies have reported low mortality and morbidity rates in patients treated using aortic wrapping. Wrapping is often accompanied by aortic valve replacement, which may require a redo surgery after some years. However, only few reports have focused on the redo surgery after aortic wrapping. We report three such cases of redo surgery in patients who previously underwent aortic wrapping using polytetrafluoroethylene felt.Case presentation: Among the three cases, two were referred with complaints associated with the deterioration of the prosthetic valve, 10 years or longer after the initial surgery. In all the cases, the aortic wall exhibited severe erosion, necessitating replacement of the ascending aorta.Conclusion: The portion of the ascending aortic wall wrapped with polytetrafluoroethylene felt exhibited severe erosion late after surgery. Therefore, ascending aorta graft replacement is highly likely to be necessary in redo surgery performed long after initial ascending aorta wrapping.