Efficacy of Aortic Valve Replacement with Ascending Aorta Grafting under Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest for the Patients with Shaggy/Calcified Aorta / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

Purpose : The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcome of aortic valve replacement (AVR) with ascending aorta grafting under hypothermic circulatory arrest for patients with shaggy/calcified ascending aorta based on preoperative and intraoperative assessment of ascending aorta. Methods : From April 2010 to July 2019, 133 patients with aortic stenosis underwent AVR. Based on preoperative computed tomography and intraoperative epi aortic ultrasound, 121 patients were able to have their aorta clamped (C-AVR), while clamping was not possible for 12 patients due to shaggy/calcified in the ascending aorta (Asc-AVR). In Asc-AVR, ascending aorta was replaced to the vascular graft under hypothermic circulatory arrest with retrograde cerebral perfusion followed by AVR. Results : Although operative time and cardiopulmonary bypass time were prolonged and blood transfusion volume was significantly high in Asc-AVR, there were no significant differences in postoperative complications. Although postoperative MRI revealed two silent strokes, no symptomatic neurologic complications occurred in Asc-AVR. Five-year survival rates between groups were comparable (64.2% in Asc-AVR vs. 79.9% in C-AVR, p=0.420). Replacement of ascending aorta was not a risk factor of late death. Conclusion : AVR with ascending aorta grafting under hypothermic circulatory arrest based on preoperative and intraoperative assessment of ascending aorta is an acceptable method for patients with shaggy/calcified aorta.

Brachiocephalic Artery Cannulation for Patients with Diseased Ascending Aorta / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

<p><b>Objective</b> : The ascending aortic cannulation (Ao-C) is the routine procedure for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in our hospital. However, for patients with diseased ascending aorta, such as severely calcified aorta, dissected or aneurysmal aorta, we used brachiocephalic artery (BCA) cannulation. The effectiveness and simplicity of BCA cannulation was evaluated. <b>Methods</b> : For patients with diseased ascending aorta, BCA was cannulated when the diameter of BCA is larger than 10 mm and is free from calcification, since January 2013. There were 62 patients who underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic valve stenosis and BCA cannulation was applied for 11 patients. Standard Ao-C was used for remaining 51 patients. There were 44 patients with dissected or aneurysmal ascending aorta and BCA cannulation was applied for 7 patients, axillary artery perfusion was used for 15 patients and standard Ao-C was used for 22 patients. Consciousness level at the time of awaking from general anesthesia and any complication related with BCA cannulation was evaluated for the effectiveness. Simplicity was evaluated by the time required to establish CPB after skin incision. <b>Results</b> : In AVR patients, there was 1 patient with delayed consciousness level recovery with BCA cannulation and this patient was found to have cerebral infarction by CT. Intraoperative aortic dissection, probably due to BCA cannulation was observed in 1 patient, very old fragile and long period steroid user. In diseased ascending aorta patients, no patient suffered neurological accident nor any complication due to cannulation. In AVR patients, the time required to establish CPB after skin incision was 51+/-9 min in BCA cannulation and 47+/-10 min in Ao-C patients (<i>p</i>=0.34). In diseased ascending aorta patients, the time required to establish CPB after skin incision was 49+/-49 min in BCA cannulation and 51+/-16 min (<i>p</i>=0.82). <b>Conclusion</b> : BCA cannulation is a very simple and safe technique to establish CPB for patients with diseased ascending aorta. However great care should be taken, and BCA cannulation should be avoided for the long term steroid users or patients with connective tissue disease.</p>

Surgical Experience of Ascending Aorta and Aortic Valve Replacement in Patient with Calcified Aorta

BACKGROUND: The conventional method of aortic cross-clamping is very difficult and increases the risk of cerebral infarct due to embolism of the calcified aorta in these patients. Accordingly, we analyzed our experience with 11 cases of ascending aorta and aortic valve replacement with hypothermic circulatory arrest. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2002 to December 2009, 11 patients had ascending aorta and aortic valve replacement with hypothermic arrest at our hospital. We performed a retrospective study. RESULTS: There were 5 males and 6 females, with a mean age of 68 years (range, 44 to 82 years). Eight patients had aortic stenosis, and 3 patients had aortic regurgitation. An aortic cannula was inserted into the right axillary artery in 3 patients and ascending aorta in 6 patients. Two patients with aortic regurgitation had a remote access perfusion catheter inserted though the right femoral artery. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 180 minutes (range, 110 to 306 minutes) and mean hypothermic circulatory arrest time was 30 minutes (range, 20 to 48 minutes). The mean rectal temperature during hypothermic circulatory arrest was 21degrees C (range, 19degrees C to 23degrees C). No patient had any new onset of cerebral infarct or cardiovascular accident after surgery. There was no hospital mortality. Early complications occurred in 1 patient who needed reoperation due to postoperative bleeding. Late complications occurred in 1 patient who underwent a Bentall operation due to prosthetic valve endocarditis. The mean follow-up duration was 32 months (range, 1 month to 8 years) and 1 patient died suddenly due to unknown causes after 5 years. CONCLUSION: Patients with a calcified aorta can be safely treated with a technique based on aorta and aortic valve replacement under hypothermic circulatory arrest.