A novel classification, management and long-term outcomes of coronary artery involvement in acute aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND:To introduce a new and simple classification and management of coronary artery involvement in aortic dissection and report results.METHODS:Coronary artery involvement was classified into two types according to the integrity of coronary intima: simple lesion (type S) and complex lesion (type C). Complex lesions were treated by CABG and simple lesions were treated by ostial repair or reimplantation. Data were collected and analyzed retrospectively.RESULTS:From January 2010 to December 2019, 267 consecutive patients were enrolled in the study, and among them complex lesions occurred in 27 patients (11.1%) and simple lesions was found in 240 patients(89.9%). Eleven untreated vessels with simple lesion were found to be involved again in the same operation and treated by CABG. The two type groups had comparable operative mortality (type S vs. type C, 9.6% vs. 18.5%, P = 0.28). 221 patients received follow-up with a median duration of 52 months. The overall survival rates at 1, 5, and 10 years postoperatively were 88.9%, 85.7%, and 79.8% in type S group and 79.2%, 79.2%, and 79.2% in type C group, respectively (P = 0.47). For the patients who received CABG and survived at discharge, radiographic follow-up with a median duration of 28 (IQR 7-55.5) months showed the freedom from occlusion of vein graft at 1, 5, and 10 years postoperatively were 87.5%, 70.0%, 28.0%.CONCLUSIONS:According to the new classification, two types of lesions could be treated by corresponding methods with satisfactory early and long-term results. Unrepaired coronary artery was at a risk of re-involvement. Vein graft onto arteries without atherosclerosis still had a high occlusion rate.

Early results of frozen elephant trunk in acute type-A dissection in 1445 patients.

BACKGROUND:We aimed to briefly describe the use of total arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk in our center's 12-year treatment of acute type A dissection and the early postoperative results. We summarized the practical experience of this procedure in our center and performed regression analyses to find the independent risk factors for major complications.METHODS:Consecutive patients with acute type A dissection having surgical total arch replacement with the implantation of a frozen elephant trunk were collected from January 2010 to December 2021 and were included in the analysis. For each major operation-related complication, independent risk factors were identified using both univariate and multivariate regression models.RESULTS:In our institution, the total arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk procedure is used more frequently each year and makes up 70% of the surgical procedures for acute type A dissection. The overall postoperative mortality rate was 6.2%, which declined as the techniques (including surgical procedures, organ perfusion protection etc.) improved. Other complications include: 11.7% for continuous renal replacement therapy, 5.7% for stroke, 17.8% for ICU stay longer than 7 days, 10.9% for prolonged mechanical ventilation, and so on. According to regression analysis, different major complications had different independent risk factors. Several factors, such as advanced age, impaired renal function, and extended cardiopulmonary bypass time, were found to be implicated in nearly all of the complications.CONCLUSION:Total arch replacement plus frozen elephant trunk strategy is a safe surgical method for extensive acute type A dissection. Some factors, such as advanced age, impaired renal function, and prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time, might be associated with poor prognosis.

Visceral protection in total arch replacement for aortic dissection: Effect of lower body hypothermia.

OBJECTIVE:Optimal hypothermia strategy for total arch replacement in acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) is unclear. A higher temperature during circulatory arrest might reduce tolerance to ischemia for visceral organs. We sought to investigate the effect of hypothermia on visceral protection.METHODS:From January 2010 to December 2019, 1138 consecutive patients underwent total arch replacement combined with frozen elephant trunk for acute type A aortic dissection. The data were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Visceral organ injury and visceral-related adverse outcomes were defined as acute renal failure or spinal cord injury or both. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and multivariate linear regression model were used.RESULTS:The mean age of patient was 46.9 ± 10.0 years, with a male preponderance (79.6%). Operative mortality was 6.1% (69 patients). Spinal cord injury occurred in 55 (4.8%) patients and 133 (11.7%) patients had acute renal failure. In the multivariate logistic regression model, neither bladder temperature (odds ratio [OR] 0.971, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.922-1.024, p = .278) nor circulatory arrest duration (OR 1.017, 95% CI 0.987-1.047, p = .267) significantly associated with visceral-related adverse outcomes. Female, lower limb malperfusion, age, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) duration and preoperative serum creatinine level were independent risk factors of visceral-related outcomes. There was a significant negative correlation between bladder temperature and CPB duration in multiple linear regression model (β = -3.67, p < .0001).CONCLUSIONS:Bladder temperature had no effect on outcomes related to visceral protection under the premise of short circulatory arrest duration, but female gender, lower limb malperfusion, age, CPB duration, and preoperative serum creatinine level were independent risk factors. Bladder temperature negatively correlated to CPB duration.

Perioperative and Short-Term Outcomes of Sinus Replacement and Conservative Repair for Aortic Root in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background:To compare outcomes between sinus replacement (SR) and conservative repair (CR) for dissected roots with normal size.Methods:From October 2018 to April 2021, a prospective cohort study was carried out. Patients were assigned to two groups (SR group and CR group) according to whether they underwent sinus replacement. Propensity score matching was applied to adjust preoperative variables and Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis.Results:Three hundred and eighty-seven patients were enrolled. In the whole cohort, 18 patients (4.7%) died postoperatively. The operative mortality of SR group was comparable to CR group (3.2% vs. 6.0%, p = 0.192 before matching; 3.5% vs. 7.0%, p = 0.267 after matching) and the incidence of hemostasis management under restarted cardiopulmonary bypass for root bleeding was lower in SR group (1.6% vs. 7.0%, p = 0.002 before matching; 2.1% vs. 8.5%, p = 0.03 after matching). The median follow-up duration was 12 months. There were 3 reoperations in the CR group. The estimated cumulative event rate of reoperation was 1.1 % at 12 months and 1.6% at 24 months in CR group, with a trend of a lower rate in the SR group (log-rank p = 0.089 before matching, p = 0.075 after matching). There was one late death in each group. The estimated cumulative event rate of death was 3.8% at 12 months and 24 months in the SR group, and was 6.6% in the CR group with no significant difference (log-rank p = 0.218 before matching, p = 0.120 after matching). Aortic regurgitation significantly improved postoperatively and remained stable during follow-up.Conclusions:Sinus replacement is a simple, safe, and effective technique for repairing severely dissected sinus with a comparable time spent in operation and excellent immediate and short-term results. It had the advantages of eliminating false lumen and avoiding aortic root bleeding.

Outcomes of one-staged procedures to treat aortic coarctation complicated by cardiac anomalies.

OBJECTIVE:One-staged surgical treatment of aortic coarctation combined with cardiac anomalies is challenging. We aim to evaluate the feasibility of bilateral aortofemoral bypass technique in one-staged surgery treating coractation by comparing surgical outcomes with catheter intervention plus stent (hybrid).METHODS:Between January 2012 and December 2017, 50 patients underwent one-staged surgical procedures to treat coarctation and repair concomitant cardiac anomalies, like aortic root dilatation, cardiac valvular disease and so on. Among them, 30 patients underwent bilateral aortofemoral bypass and 20 patients underwent hybrid procedure to treat coarctation. We retrospectively analyzed the data of these patients and compared the early and late results.RESULTS:All the baseline clinical characteristics were comparable between groups except that the mean age of bypass group was 39.5 ± 14.0 years which was older than hybrid group (27.9 ± 8.5 years, P = 0.002). Technical success was achieved in all patients, with no hospital death or other severe complications. Immediately after surgery, in bypass and hybrid group, the mean upper-limb systolic blood pressure decreased from 159.4 to 119.7 mmHg and 148.4 to 111.6 mmHg, the median peak systolic gradient decreased from 68.0 to 10 mmHg and 46.5 to 10 mmHg respectively (P = 0.09). And the mean upper-lower limbs gradient decreased from 21.7 to 5.9 mmHg and 21.0 to 2.7 mmHg respectively (P = 0.104). The mean follow-up time was 76.92 ± 18.7 in bypass group and 85.4 ± 20.6 months in hybrid group. There were 4 late deaths in bypass group (one died of gastrointestinal bleeding, one died of pulmonary embolism and the other two died of heart failure caused by mechanical prosthetic valve dysfunction). The follow-up peak systolic gradient and other blood pressure parameters showed stable and no differences between two groups.CONCLUSIONS:The bilateral aortofemoral bypass surgery is a safe and effective method which can be used in one-staged surgical strategy to treat coarctation complicated by cardiac anomalies and can be an alternative to the hybrid method.

Prediction Nomogram for Postoperative 30-Day Mortality in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection Patients Receiving Total Aortic Arch Replacement With Frozen Elephant Trunk Technique.

Objective:To develop and validate a nomogram model to predict postoperative 30-day mortality in acute type A aortic dissection patients receiving total aortic arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk technique.Method:Clinical data on 1,156 consecutive acute type A aortic dissection patients who got total aortic arch replacement using the frozen elephant trunk technique was collected from January 2010 to December 2020. These patients were divided into training and testing cohorts at random with a ratio of 7:3. To predict postoperative 30-day mortality, a nomogram was established in the training set using the logistic regression model. The novel nomogram was then validated in the testing set. The nomogram's calibration and discrimination were evaluated. In addition, we created four machine learning prediction models in the training set. In terms of calibration and discrimination, the nomogram was compared to these machine learning models in testing set.Results:Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter <45 mm, estimated glomerular filtration rate <50 ml/min/1.73 m2, persistent abdominal pain, radiological celiac trunk malperfusion, concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting and cardiopulmonary bypass time >4 h were independent predictors of the 30-day mortality. The nomogram based on these 6 predictors manifested satisfying calibration and discrimination. In testing set, the nomogram outperformed the other 4 machine learning models.Conclusion:The novel nomogram is a simple and effective tool to predict 30-day mortality rate for acute type A aortic dissection patients undergoing total aortic arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk technique.

Comparison of Single Axillary vs. Dual Arterial Cannulation for Acute Type a Aortic Dissection: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

Background:The optimal arterial cannulation site for acute aortic dissection repair is unclear, especially for complex arch surgery. Axillary artery cannulation is widely accepted but adding femoral artery cannulation to it was considered to potentially improve perfusion and early outcomes. To clarify this point, a comparison of perioperative outcomes for these two different cannulation strategies was conducted regarding the pathological features of dissection.Methods:From January 2010 to December 2019, 927 consecutive patients underwent a total arch replacement combined with frozen elephant trunk for acute type A aortic dissection. The data, including detailed pathological features, were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Propensity score matching and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used for adjusting confounders that are potentially related to the outcome.Results:A total of 523 patients (56.3%) accepted a dual arterial cannulation (DAC group), and 406 patients (43.7%) received a single axillary artery cannulation (SAC group). In total, 388 pairs of patients were well-matched. Whether before or after adjusting the preoperative characteristics by matching, there were no significant differences in operative mortality (6.7 vs. 5.4%, P = 0.420 before matching; 5.4 vs. 5.4%, P = 1 after matching), stroke (6.7 vs. 5.4%, P = 0.420 before matching; 6.4 vs. 5.2%, P = 0.435 after matching), spinal cord injury (5 vs. 5.7%, P = 0.640 before matching; 5.4 vs. 5.7%, P = 1. After matching), and acute renal failure requiring dialysis (13.8 vs. 9.6%, P =0.050 before matching; 12.6 vs. 9.5%, P = 0.174) between the two groups. Dual arterial cannulation was not an independent protective factor of operative mortality (odds ratio [OR] 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55-1.86), stroke (OR 1.17, 95% CI 0.65-2.11), spinal cord injury (OR 1.17, 95% CI 0.65-2.11), and acute renal failure requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) (OR 1.24, 95% CI 0.78-1.97) after adjusting for confounding factors by multivariable logistic regression analysis. In the subgroup analysis, no advantage of dual arterial cannulation was found for a particular population.Conclusions:Single axillary artery cannulation was competent in the complex arch repair for acute aortic dissection, presenting with a satisfactory result as dual arterial cannulation. Adding femoral artery cannulation was necessary when a sufficient flow volume could not be achieved by axillary artery cannulation or when a lower limb malperfusion existed.

Characteristics of organ cysts and their association with type A aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVE:We aimed to evaluate the incidence of organ cysts in patients with type A aortic dissection (TAAD) to assess the association between organ cysts and TAAD.METHODS:Between January 2018 and December 2018, all patients with TAAD undergoing aortic surgery at our center were enrolled into the study; patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting at our center were selected as the control group. Baseline differences between the 2 groups were adjusted using propensity-score matching. The incidence of organ cysts was compared between the 2 groups in total and matched cohorts.RESULTS:We enrolled 290 patients with TAAD and 293 patients with coronary artery disease (control group). The incidence of all organ cysts, liver cysts, renal cysts, and other organ cysts, was significantly higher in the TAAD group than in the control group (50.0% vs. 35.5%, p<0.001; 24.5% vs. 10.2%, p<0.001; 33.4% vs. 24.9%, p=0.023; and 6.2% vs. 1.5%, p=0.005; respectively). Among the 191 propensity score-matched patient pairs, the incidence of organ cysts, liver cysts, renal cysts, and other organ cysts was also significantly higher in the TAAD group than in the control group (57.6% vs. 30.9%, p<0.001; 28.8% vs. 11.0%, p<0.001; 39.3% vs. 19.9%, p<0.001; and 8.4% vs. 1.0%, p=0.001; respectively). The incidence of cysts with single-organ and multiple-organ involvement was also significantly higher in the TAAD group than in the control group (34.0% vs. 20.4%, p=0.003; and 23.6% vs. 10.5%, p=0.001).CONCLUSION:Our results show a higher incidence of organ cysts in patients with TAAD which is indicative of a common pathogenetic pathway between organ cysts and aortic dissection.

Aortic root repair using pericardial autograft for acute type A aortic dissection.

Different therapeutic modalities for aortic arch disease combined with Kommerell's diverticulum: single-center experience with nine cases.

BACKGROUND:Aortic arch disease with Kommerell's diverticulum is an uncommon but troublesome condition, and there are a variety of therapeutic modalities for treating this. We retrospectively analyzed cases who underwent open surgery to summarize different situations and approaches.METHODS:From November 2015 to January 2019, nine patients underwent operation for the mentioned disorder. Four patients with aortic dissection received total arch replacement. Two patients suffering from type B aortic dissection (TBAD) have accepted graft replacement from ascending aorta (aAO) to descending aorta. Two patients with true aneurysm and congenital malformation underwent graft bypass from aAO to descending aorta. One patient had graft replacement of descending aorta.RESULTS:There were nine (eight males and one female) patients with median age of 45 (from 14 to 54) years. The 30-day mortality was 11.1% (1 patient) due to refractory respiratory failure caused by compression of bronchus. One patient had complication of peripheral neuropathy and recovered eventually. Eight patients were followed-up for a median period of 20 [9-46] months. All patients were alive and had no long-term complications except one patient who received re-intervention due to delayed dilation of downstream aorta.CONCLUSIONS:Treatment for different arch lesions with Kommerell's diverticulum should follow corresponding indications. Open surgery is the preferred choice and detailed therapeutic strategy depends on the extension of aneurysm, classification and phase of dissection. Stenting might cause airway compression when right-sided arch and vascular ring exist.

A novel classification, management and long-term outcomes of coronary artery involvement in acute aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND:To introduce a new and simple classification and management of coronary artery involvement in aortic dissection and report results.METHODS:Coronary artery involvement was classified into two types according to the integrity of coronary intima: simple lesion (type S) and complex lesion (type C). Complex lesions were treated by CABG and simple lesions were treated by ostial repair or reimplantation. Data were collected and analyzed retrospectively.RESULTS:From January 2010 to December 2019, 267 consecutive patients were enrolled in the study, and among them complex lesions occurred in 27 patients (11.1%) and simple lesions was found in 240 patients(89.9%). Eleven untreated vessels with simple lesion were found to be involved again in the same operation and treated by CABG. The two type groups had comparable operative mortality (type S vs. type C, 9.6% vs. 18.5%, P = 0.28). 221 patients received follow-up with a median duration of 52 months. The overall survival rates at 1, 5, and 10 years postoperatively were 88.9%, 85.7%, and 79.8% in type S group and 79.2%, 79.2%, and 79.2% in type C group, respectively (P = 0.47). For the patients who received CABG and survived at discharge, radiographic follow-up with a median duration of 28 (IQR 7-55.5) months showed the freedom from occlusion of vein graft at 1, 5, and 10 years postoperatively were 87.5%, 70.0%, 28.0%.CONCLUSIONS:According to the new classification, two types of lesions could be treated by corresponding methods with satisfactory early and long-term results. Unrepaired coronary artery was at a risk of re-involvement. Vein graft onto arteries without atherosclerosis still had a high occlusion rate.

Early results of frozen elephant trunk in acute type-A dissection in 1445 patients.

BACKGROUND:We aimed to briefly describe the use of total arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk in our center's 12-year treatment of acute type A dissection and the early postoperative results. We summarized the practical experience of this procedure in our center and performed regression analyses to find the independent risk factors for major complications.METHODS:Consecutive patients with acute type A dissection having surgical total arch replacement with the implantation of a frozen elephant trunk were collected from January 2010 to December 2021 and were included in the analysis. For each major operation-related complication, independent risk factors were identified using both univariate and multivariate regression models.RESULTS:In our institution, the total arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk procedure is used more frequently each year and makes up 70% of the surgical procedures for acute type A dissection. The overall postoperative mortality rate was 6.2%, which declined as the techniques (including surgical procedures, organ perfusion protection etc.) improved. Other complications include: 11.7% for continuous renal replacement therapy, 5.7% for stroke, 17.8% for ICU stay longer than 7 days, 10.9% for prolonged mechanical ventilation, and so on. According to regression analysis, different major complications had different independent risk factors. Several factors, such as advanced age, impaired renal function, and extended cardiopulmonary bypass time, were found to be implicated in nearly all of the complications.CONCLUSION:Total arch replacement plus frozen elephant trunk strategy is a safe surgical method for extensive acute type A dissection. Some factors, such as advanced age, impaired renal function, and prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time, might be associated with poor prognosis.

Visceral protection in total arch replacement for aortic dissection: Effect of lower body hypothermia.

OBJECTIVE:Optimal hypothermia strategy for total arch replacement in acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) is unclear. A higher temperature during circulatory arrest might reduce tolerance to ischemia for visceral organs. We sought to investigate the effect of hypothermia on visceral protection.METHODS:From January 2010 to December 2019, 1138 consecutive patients underwent total arch replacement combined with frozen elephant trunk for acute type A aortic dissection. The data were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Visceral organ injury and visceral-related adverse outcomes were defined as acute renal failure or spinal cord injury or both. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and multivariate linear regression model were used.RESULTS:The mean age of patient was 46.9 ± 10.0 years, with a male preponderance (79.6%). Operative mortality was 6.1% (69 patients). Spinal cord injury occurred in 55 (4.8%) patients and 133 (11.7%) patients had acute renal failure. In the multivariate logistic regression model, neither bladder temperature (odds ratio [OR] 0.971, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.922-1.024, p = .278) nor circulatory arrest duration (OR 1.017, 95% CI 0.987-1.047, p = .267) significantly associated with visceral-related adverse outcomes. Female, lower limb malperfusion, age, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) duration and preoperative serum creatinine level were independent risk factors of visceral-related outcomes. There was a significant negative correlation between bladder temperature and CPB duration in multiple linear regression model (β = -3.67, p < .0001).CONCLUSIONS:Bladder temperature had no effect on outcomes related to visceral protection under the premise of short circulatory arrest duration, but female gender, lower limb malperfusion, age, CPB duration, and preoperative serum creatinine level were independent risk factors. Bladder temperature negatively correlated to CPB duration.

Perioperative and Short-Term Outcomes of Sinus Replacement and Conservative Repair for Aortic Root in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background:To compare outcomes between sinus replacement (SR) and conservative repair (CR) for dissected roots with normal size.Methods:From October 2018 to April 2021, a prospective cohort study was carried out. Patients were assigned to two groups (SR group and CR group) according to whether they underwent sinus replacement. Propensity score matching was applied to adjust preoperative variables and Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis.Results:Three hundred and eighty-seven patients were enrolled. In the whole cohort, 18 patients (4.7%) died postoperatively. The operative mortality of SR group was comparable to CR group (3.2% vs. 6.0%, p = 0.192 before matching; 3.5% vs. 7.0%, p = 0.267 after matching) and the incidence of hemostasis management under restarted cardiopulmonary bypass for root bleeding was lower in SR group (1.6% vs. 7.0%, p = 0.002 before matching; 2.1% vs. 8.5%, p = 0.03 after matching). The median follow-up duration was 12 months. There were 3 reoperations in the CR group. The estimated cumulative event rate of reoperation was 1.1 % at 12 months and 1.6% at 24 months in CR group, with a trend of a lower rate in the SR group (log-rank p = 0.089 before matching, p = 0.075 after matching). There was one late death in each group. The estimated cumulative event rate of death was 3.8% at 12 months and 24 months in the SR group, and was 6.6% in the CR group with no significant difference (log-rank p = 0.218 before matching, p = 0.120 after matching). Aortic regurgitation significantly improved postoperatively and remained stable during follow-up.Conclusions:Sinus replacement is a simple, safe, and effective technique for repairing severely dissected sinus with a comparable time spent in operation and excellent immediate and short-term results. It had the advantages of eliminating false lumen and avoiding aortic root bleeding.

Outcomes of one-staged procedures to treat aortic coarctation complicated by cardiac anomalies.

OBJECTIVE:One-staged surgical treatment of aortic coarctation combined with cardiac anomalies is challenging. We aim to evaluate the feasibility of bilateral aortofemoral bypass technique in one-staged surgery treating coractation by comparing surgical outcomes with catheter intervention plus stent (hybrid).METHODS:Between January 2012 and December 2017, 50 patients underwent one-staged surgical procedures to treat coarctation and repair concomitant cardiac anomalies, like aortic root dilatation, cardiac valvular disease and so on. Among them, 30 patients underwent bilateral aortofemoral bypass and 20 patients underwent hybrid procedure to treat coarctation. We retrospectively analyzed the data of these patients and compared the early and late results.RESULTS:All the baseline clinical characteristics were comparable between groups except that the mean age of bypass group was 39.5 ± 14.0 years which was older than hybrid group (27.9 ± 8.5 years, P = 0.002). Technical success was achieved in all patients, with no hospital death or other severe complications. Immediately after surgery, in bypass and hybrid group, the mean upper-limb systolic blood pressure decreased from 159.4 to 119.7 mmHg and 148.4 to 111.6 mmHg, the median peak systolic gradient decreased from 68.0 to 10 mmHg and 46.5 to 10 mmHg respectively (P = 0.09). And the mean upper-lower limbs gradient decreased from 21.7 to 5.9 mmHg and 21.0 to 2.7 mmHg respectively (P = 0.104). The mean follow-up time was 76.92 ± 18.7 in bypass group and 85.4 ± 20.6 months in hybrid group. There were 4 late deaths in bypass group (one died of gastrointestinal bleeding, one died of pulmonary embolism and the other two died of heart failure caused by mechanical prosthetic valve dysfunction). The follow-up peak systolic gradient and other blood pressure parameters showed stable and no differences between two groups.CONCLUSIONS:The bilateral aortofemoral bypass surgery is a safe and effective method which can be used in one-staged surgical strategy to treat coarctation complicated by cardiac anomalies and can be an alternative to the hybrid method.

Prediction Nomogram for Postoperative 30-Day Mortality in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection Patients Receiving Total Aortic Arch Replacement With Frozen Elephant Trunk Technique.

Objective:To develop and validate a nomogram model to predict postoperative 30-day mortality in acute type A aortic dissection patients receiving total aortic arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk technique.Method:Clinical data on 1,156 consecutive acute type A aortic dissection patients who got total aortic arch replacement using the frozen elephant trunk technique was collected from January 2010 to December 2020. These patients were divided into training and testing cohorts at random with a ratio of 7:3. To predict postoperative 30-day mortality, a nomogram was established in the training set using the logistic regression model. The novel nomogram was then validated in the testing set. The nomogram's calibration and discrimination were evaluated. In addition, we created four machine learning prediction models in the training set. In terms of calibration and discrimination, the nomogram was compared to these machine learning models in testing set.Results:Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter <45 mm, estimated glomerular filtration rate <50 ml/min/1.73 m2, persistent abdominal pain, radiological celiac trunk malperfusion, concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting and cardiopulmonary bypass time >4 h were independent predictors of the 30-day mortality. The nomogram based on these 6 predictors manifested satisfying calibration and discrimination. In testing set, the nomogram outperformed the other 4 machine learning models.Conclusion:The novel nomogram is a simple and effective tool to predict 30-day mortality rate for acute type A aortic dissection patients undergoing total aortic arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk technique.

Comparison of Single Axillary vs. Dual Arterial Cannulation for Acute Type a Aortic Dissection: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

Background:The optimal arterial cannulation site for acute aortic dissection repair is unclear, especially for complex arch surgery. Axillary artery cannulation is widely accepted but adding femoral artery cannulation to it was considered to potentially improve perfusion and early outcomes. To clarify this point, a comparison of perioperative outcomes for these two different cannulation strategies was conducted regarding the pathological features of dissection.Methods:From January 2010 to December 2019, 927 consecutive patients underwent a total arch replacement combined with frozen elephant trunk for acute type A aortic dissection. The data, including detailed pathological features, were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Propensity score matching and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used for adjusting confounders that are potentially related to the outcome.Results:A total of 523 patients (56.3%) accepted a dual arterial cannulation (DAC group), and 406 patients (43.7%) received a single axillary artery cannulation (SAC group). In total, 388 pairs of patients were well-matched. Whether before or after adjusting the preoperative characteristics by matching, there were no significant differences in operative mortality (6.7 vs. 5.4%, P = 0.420 before matching; 5.4 vs. 5.4%, P = 1 after matching), stroke (6.7 vs. 5.4%, P = 0.420 before matching; 6.4 vs. 5.2%, P = 0.435 after matching), spinal cord injury (5 vs. 5.7%, P = 0.640 before matching; 5.4 vs. 5.7%, P = 1. After matching), and acute renal failure requiring dialysis (13.8 vs. 9.6%, P =0.050 before matching; 12.6 vs. 9.5%, P = 0.174) between the two groups. Dual arterial cannulation was not an independent protective factor of operative mortality (odds ratio [OR] 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55-1.86), stroke (OR 1.17, 95% CI 0.65-2.11), spinal cord injury (OR 1.17, 95% CI 0.65-2.11), and acute renal failure requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) (OR 1.24, 95% CI 0.78-1.97) after adjusting for confounding factors by multivariable logistic regression analysis. In the subgroup analysis, no advantage of dual arterial cannulation was found for a particular population.Conclusions:Single axillary artery cannulation was competent in the complex arch repair for acute aortic dissection, presenting with a satisfactory result as dual arterial cannulation. Adding femoral artery cannulation was necessary when a sufficient flow volume could not be achieved by axillary artery cannulation or when a lower limb malperfusion existed.

Characteristics of organ cysts and their association with type A aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVE:We aimed to evaluate the incidence of organ cysts in patients with type A aortic dissection (TAAD) to assess the association between organ cysts and TAAD.METHODS:Between January 2018 and December 2018, all patients with TAAD undergoing aortic surgery at our center were enrolled into the study; patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting at our center were selected as the control group. Baseline differences between the 2 groups were adjusted using propensity-score matching. The incidence of organ cysts was compared between the 2 groups in total and matched cohorts.RESULTS:We enrolled 290 patients with TAAD and 293 patients with coronary artery disease (control group). The incidence of all organ cysts, liver cysts, renal cysts, and other organ cysts, was significantly higher in the TAAD group than in the control group (50.0% vs. 35.5%, p<0.001; 24.5% vs. 10.2%, p<0.001; 33.4% vs. 24.9%, p=0.023; and 6.2% vs. 1.5%, p=0.005; respectively). Among the 191 propensity score-matched patient pairs, the incidence of organ cysts, liver cysts, renal cysts, and other organ cysts was also significantly higher in the TAAD group than in the control group (57.6% vs. 30.9%, p<0.001; 28.8% vs. 11.0%, p<0.001; 39.3% vs. 19.9%, p<0.001; and 8.4% vs. 1.0%, p=0.001; respectively). The incidence of cysts with single-organ and multiple-organ involvement was also significantly higher in the TAAD group than in the control group (34.0% vs. 20.4%, p=0.003; and 23.6% vs. 10.5%, p=0.001).CONCLUSION:Our results show a higher incidence of organ cysts in patients with TAAD which is indicative of a common pathogenetic pathway between organ cysts and aortic dissection.

Aortic root repair using pericardial autograft for acute type A aortic dissection.

Different therapeutic modalities for aortic arch disease combined with Kommerell's diverticulum: single-center experience with nine cases.

BACKGROUND:Aortic arch disease with Kommerell's diverticulum is an uncommon but troublesome condition, and there are a variety of therapeutic modalities for treating this. We retrospectively analyzed cases who underwent open surgery to summarize different situations and approaches.METHODS:From November 2015 to January 2019, nine patients underwent operation for the mentioned disorder. Four patients with aortic dissection received total arch replacement. Two patients suffering from type B aortic dissection (TBAD) have accepted graft replacement from ascending aorta (aAO) to descending aorta. Two patients with true aneurysm and congenital malformation underwent graft bypass from aAO to descending aorta. One patient had graft replacement of descending aorta.RESULTS:There were nine (eight males and one female) patients with median age of 45 (from 14 to 54) years. The 30-day mortality was 11.1% (1 patient) due to refractory respiratory failure caused by compression of bronchus. One patient had complication of peripheral neuropathy and recovered eventually. Eight patients were followed-up for a median period of 20 [9-46] months. All patients were alive and had no long-term complications except one patient who received re-intervention due to delayed dilation of downstream aorta.CONCLUSIONS:Treatment for different arch lesions with Kommerell's diverticulum should follow corresponding indications. Open surgery is the preferred choice and detailed therapeutic strategy depends on the extension of aneurysm, classification and phase of dissection. Stenting might cause airway compression when right-sided arch and vascular ring exist.