Indications for aortic replacement

This monograph reviews currently accepted criteria for extirpation of the aneurysmal thoracic aorta. Presence of symptoms suffices to justify resection regardless of size. For asymptomatic patients, resection of the ascending aorta at 5 to 5.5 cm is warranted. The descending aorta can be watched until slightly larger sizes (ie, 5.5–6 cm). Marfan disease or bicuspid aortic valve encourages resection in the smaller region of these size ranges. A nomogram permits adjustment of intervention criteria for extremes of body size. A recently computerized aortic risk calculator automatically applies exponential equations for determination of yearly risk of rupture or dissection for individual patients (available at: http://aorta.yale.edu). Evolving modalities to enhance decision making include positron emission tomography imaging of aneurysm metabolic activity, measurement of mechanical properties of the aorta by echocardiography, and assessment of the biomolecular state of the aneurysm with the “RNA Signature” test

"How I do it: utilization of high-pressure sealants in aortic reconstruction"

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Suture-line hemostasis, reinforcement of friable tissue, and adhesion prevention are key concerns for patients undergoing cardiac surgery for aortic reconstruction. Failure to secure hemostasis at anastomotic junctures and reinforce fragile tissue may lead to increased blood loss, additional blood product requirements, increased operative time, and, in extreme cases, reoperation. Patients with aortic pathology may also be at higher risk for reoperation, and adhesion formation from prior surgery is an added risk at resternotomy. The advent of high-pressure sealants has been of benefit in helping to alleviate these perioperative challenges.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The author utilizes two high-pressure sealants for aortic reconstructive procedures. The first is made of two polymers of polyethylene glycol (PEG) [Coseal^®, Baxter Healthcare, Corporation], and is used to secure anastomotic suture-line hemostasis and for adhesion prevention. The second is a bovine serum albumin-glutaraldehyde (BSAG) glue [BioGlue^®, CryroLife, Inc.], used for the repair of dissected aortic tissue and in reinforcing ("tanning") fragile aortic tissues. The techniques for application in select aortic reconstruction procedures are described.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>To substantiate the hemostatic clinical benefit observed by the author, 60 consecutive major thoracic aortic operations in 57 patients in whom PEG sealant was used were retrospectively reviewed. Although comparisons with other agents were not performed for this descriptive report, bleeding results were very favorable for these types of operations. The strong clinical impression is that topical hemostatic application of PEG sealant to anastomotic suture lines is helpful in preventing bleeding.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In major aortic reconstructive procedures the need for anastomotic sealing performance, reinforcement of friable tissues, and adhesion prevention should not be underrated. High-pressure surgical sealants represent an important surgical adjunct, and the author has found the use of both PEG sealant and BSAG glue advantageous in aortic reconstruction and repair.</p

Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm: Reading the Enemy’s Playbook

Imagine if a sports team were able to read the opposing team’s playbook; this would be a boon of major proportions. Aortic diseases represent a virulent opponent for cardiac specialists and for our patients. Over the last 10 years, at the Yale Center for Thoracic Aortic Disease, we have made a concerted effort to learn more about the natural history of aortic diseases based on a data set including information on 3000 patients and 9000 years of patient follow-up and 9000 serial imaging studies. This analysis has given us glimpses into the playbook of thoracic aortic diseases; these glimpses have corrolaries in terms of the appropriate role and timing of surgical intervention. Aortic dissection is one of the most catastrophic acute natural events that can befall the human being. The pain of this disorder is often described by those affected as the most severe pain imaginable. Because acute aortic dissection often masquerades as a heart attack, its true incidence is often underestimated. If a middle-aged or elderly person presents to the emergency room with acute onset of chest pain, clutches his chest, and promptly dies, he is likely to be signed out as a “myocardial infarction”. In actual fact, many such presentations represent undiagnosed aortic dissections. It takes autopsy series to document the true incidence of acute aortic dissection. Such series have indicated that aortic dissection is actually the most common lethal condition affecting the human aorta, more common than the better appreciated ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm... (excerpt

Midterm experience with modified Cabrol procedure: Safe and durable for complex aortic root replacement

ObjectiveTo evaluate the early and late outcomes of the modified Cabrol technique as a method of coronary reimplantation during complex composite graft replacement of the ascending aorta.MethodsBetween 1995 and 2012, 348 patients (mean age, 56 ± 14 years; 283 males and 65 females) underwent composite graft replacement of the ascending aorta, 40 of whom (mean age, 60 ± 12 years; 35 males and 5 females) had one or both coronary ostia reimplanted using a modified Cabrol technique with an 8- to 10-mm Dacron interposition graft. The mean clinical and radiologic (computed tomographic scan) postoperative follow-up was 39 months (range, 1-171 months), via our aortic database, patient interviews, and Social Security Death Index.ResultsCabrol reimplantation was necessitated by reoperations with anatomically fixed coronary ostia (n = 16, 40%), severely displaced coronary arteries (n = 15, 37.5%), button calcification (n = 4, 10%), coronary anomalies (n = 3, 7.5%), and coronary aneurysm (n = 2, 5%). Of the operations, 20% (8 patients) were urgent interventions. Early mortality was 3 (7.5%) of 40, none related to the Dacron interposition graft. Total late mortality was 16.2%, also not related to the coronary graft. Actuarial survivals were 0.88 ± 0.05, 0.79 ± 0.07, and 0.73 ± 0.08 at 1, 3, and 6 years, respectively. Radiologic follow-up was available for 31 (83.8%) of the surviving patients and revealed that the interposition graft was widely patent in all.ConclusionsThe modified Cabrol technique using a Dacron interposition graft showed good survival rates and excellent durability over time, confirmed radiographically. These data confirm that it is appropriate to use the Cabrol technique when technical complexity prevents bringing coronary buttons to the main aortic graft

Cerebrospinal Fluid Drainage for Prevention of Spinal Cord Ischemia in Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Surgery-Pros and Cons

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) carries a risk of spinal cord ischemia (SCI) which exerts a devastating impact on patient\u27s quality of life and life expectancy. Although routine prophylactic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage is not unequivocally supported by current data, several studies have demonstrated favorable outcomes. Patients at high risk for SCI following TEVAR likely will benefit from prophylactic CSF drains. However, the intervention is not risk free, and thorough risk/benefit analysis should be individualized to each patient

Penetrating ulcer of the thoracic aorta: What is it? How do we recognize it? How do we manage it?

AbstractBackground: Although classic type A and B aortic dissections have been well described, less is known about the natural history of penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers of the thoracic aorta. This study differentiates penetrating ulcer from aortic dissection, determines the clinical features and natural history of these ulcers, and establishes appropriate correlates regarding optimal treatment. Methods: A retrospective review of patient records and imaging studies was conducted with 198 patients with initial diagnoses of aortic dissection (86 type A, 112 type B) at our institution from 1985 to 1997. Results: Of the 198 patients, 15 (7.6%) were found to have a penetrating aortic ulcer on re-review of computed tomographic scans, magnetic resonance images, angiograms, echocardiograms, intraoperative findings, or pathology reports. Two ulcers (13.3%) were located in the ascending aorta; the other 13 (86.7%) were in the descending aorta. In comparison with those with type A or B aortic dissection, patients with penetrating ulcer were older (mean age 76.6 years, p = 0.018); had larger aortic diameters (mean diameter 6.5 cm); had ulcers primarily in the descending aorta (13 of 15 patients, 86.7%); and more often had ulcers associated with a prior diagnosed or managed AAA (6 of 15 patients, 40.0%; p = 0.0001). Risk for aortic rupture was higher among patients with penetrating ulcers (40.0%) than patients with type A (7.0%) or type B (3.6%) aortic dissection (p = 0.0001). Conclusions: Accurate recognition and differentiation of penetrating ulcers from classic aortic dissection at initial presentation is critical for optimal treatment of these patients. For penetrating ulcer, the prognosis may be more serious than with classic type A or B aortic dissection. Surgical management is advocated for penetrating ulcers in the ascending aorta and for penetrating ulcers in the descending aorta that exhibit early clinical or radiologic signs of deterioration. (J Vasc Surg 1998;27:1006-16.