Midterm outcomes of side branch embolization and endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of total side branch embolization at endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysms on the incidences of persistent type 2 endoleak (pT2EL), changes in sac diameter, and reintervention. METHODS: Between 2013 and 2021, all patients who underwent primary EVAR with a few exceptions were included. Side branch embolization was considered during EVAR for inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) or IMA plus lumbar artery (LA) when feasible for contrast agent use. Outcomes measured were pT2EL, sac diameters, reintervention, ruptures, and aneurysm-related mortality. Radiation exposure and safety outcomes were also reported. RESULTS: Among 732 patients who underwent EVAR, 616 (84.2%) were included. Of the 616 patients, 223 (36.2%) did not undergo side branch embolization (NO-E), whereas 228 (37.0%) underwent IMA only (IMA-E) and 165 (26.8%) underwent IMA+LA including median sacral artery (IMA+LA-E). The technical success rate of IMA and LA embolization was 97.0% and 74.7%, respectively. Crude incidences of pT2EL were significantly different from 6 months through 3 years (NO-E, 27.8%; IMA-E, 31.7%; IMA+LA-E, 9.4% at 3 years; P = .007). In the multivariate analysis adjusted for background differences, the incidences of pT2EL were significantly higher in the NO-E (odds ratio [OR], 3.21; 95% confidence intervals [CIs], 1.08-9.57; P = .004) and IMA-E (OR, 4.86; 95% CIs, 1.68-14.11; P = .004) compared with the IMA+LA-E group. Similarly, any reintervention until 3 years was significantly frequent in the NO-E (OR, 5.26; 95% CIs, 1.76-15.70; P = .003) and IMA-E group (OR, 4.19; 95% CIs, 1.38-12.67; P = .01). Surgical conversion and secondary rupture were seen only in 1 patient without any aneurysm-related mortality. Percent sac shrinkage from the baseline was significantly promoted in the IMA+LA group (NO-E, 12.1% ± 16.6%; IMA-E, 11.4% ± 16.7%; IMA+LA-E, 18.0% ± 18.8%; P = .047). Fluoroscopy time was significantly longer in the IMA+LA-E group (NO-E, 60.2 ± 47.4 minutes; IMA-E, 59.3 ± 39.5 minutes; IMA+LA-E, 75.5 ± 42.8 minutes; P < .0001), and so do the dose-area product (NO-E, 424.6 ± 333.4 Gy cm2; IMA-E, 477.7 ± 342.4 Gy cm2; IMA+LA-E, 631.8 ± 449.1 Gy cm2; P < .0001). No embolization-related complications or radiation-related adverse events were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-emptive embolization of IMA, LAs, and median sacral artery at the time of EVAR reduced the incidences of pT2EL and any reintervention and promoted sac shrinkage during the follow-up period of 3 years.

Outcomes of Clampless Real Chimney Technique with Dacron Graft and Sleeve Banding of the Ascending Aorta for Total Debranching Endovascular Arch Repair.

BACKGROUND: Hybrid aortic arch repair with debranching of the supra-aortic vessels carries a high risk of cerebral infarction and fatal complications associated with side clamping of the ascending aorta. A previous study had reported the "real chimney" technique, a novel method for clamp-free total debranching thoracic endovascular aortic repair with the ascending aortic sleeve banding with dacron. In this study, we aim to build upon this foundation by presenting our experience with the early and midterm outcomes of this technique. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 61 consecutive older adult patients with aortic arch pathologies and a high risk of open repair who underwent total debranching thoracic endovascular aortic repair using the real chimney technique at our institution between January 2014 and June 2022. This technique was used to anastomose the ascending aorta with the main trunk of the triple-branched prosthetic graft. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 75.1 years, and 54% of patients were transferred from medical facilities with cardiothoracic surgery departments. The comorbidities included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (49.2%), chronic kidney disease (63.9%), coronary artery disease (27.9%), and history of stroke (31.1%). No 30-day mortality was observed. Complications included postoperative renal failure requiring permanent hemodialysis (4; 6.6%), stroke (modified Rankin scale score: ≥2 in 5; 8.2%), permanent paraplegia (1; 1.6%), and permanent paraparesis (4; 6.6%). The median follow-up period was 40.5±28.5 months. The postoperative survival rates at 5 years were 66.8%. No patients experienced complications associated with the aorta or anastomosis site; only 1 patient required an additional procedure for stenosis of the anastomosis site (midterm). An aneurysmal diameter reduction of ≥3 mm was observed in 37 cases (60.7%), and the mean aneurysmal diameter reduction was 5.3 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The postoperative outcome of total debranching thoracic endovascular aortic arch repair is not only acceptable but also promising, particularly in patients at high risk of open repair. CLINICAL IMPACT: Our novel real chimney technique for total debranching thoracic endovascular aortic repair of aortic arch pathologies in patients who were at a high-risk for open repair resulted in no 30-day mortality and no complications related to the aorta or the real chimney anastomosis site.The real chimney technique is effective for managing aortic arch pathologies and enables less invasive total debranching thoracic endovascular aortic arch repair without the need for extracorporeal circulation and clamping of the ascending aorta.

Modified adaption of iliac branch endografts in rare congenital anomaly of proximal origin of bilateral internal iliac arteries.

We report a case of 55 mm abdominal aortic aneurysm coinciding with a rare congenital anomaly of proximal origin of bilateral internal iliac arteries (IIAs). Because renal to iliac bifurcation lengths were bilaterally short (129 mm and 125 mm), a trunk-ipsilateral leg and an iliac leg were deployed before iliac branch component insertion into the iliac leg. With help of a pull-through wire, internal iliac component was delivered without migration of the main body. The left IIA was embolized, but the right IIA was successfully preserved with commercially available iliac branch endoprosthesis only from femoral approaches, and the patient fully recovered without any complication.

Clampless In-Situ Immobilized Branching (CLIMB) to Reconstruct the Internal Iliac Artery.

BACKGROUND: Surgical reconstruction of the internal iliac artery (IIA) or its branches is sometimes demanding because of difficulty in distal clamping and suturing in the narrow pelvic space. Here we present a hybrid technique of ClampLess In-situ imMobilized Branching (CLIMB) to reconstruct IIA. METHODS: in the CLIMB technique, an 8 mm artificial graft is sutured onto the surface of the common iliac artery (CIA) without clamping. Following puncture of the CIA wall, stent grafts are bridged from IIA to the graft. Finally, the graft is sutured to the ipsilateral external iliac artery (EIA). Concomitant endovascular aneurysm repair or IIA branch embolization can also be performed. We applied this technique to the patients unsuited for other IIA reconstruction. RESULTS: eleven patients underwent the current technique. All but one patient underwent contralateral IIA interruption. Seven patients had a history of aorto-iliac repair before the index surgery. Iliac extender, internal iliac component, Viabahn VBX or Fluency covered stent were used for bridging the graft. Simultaneous IIA branch embolization was performed in 2 patients. Distal landing zones were IIA in 7 grafts, superior gluteal artery in 4 grafts and inferior gluteal artery (IGA) in 1 graft. Technical success was achieved in all cases. No patient complained of buttock claudication or other ischemic symptoms on the treatment side. During a mean follow-up period of 38 months, 11 out of 12 grafts were patent without any related endoleak. One IGA graft occluded at 56 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: the CLIMB technique is a viable alternative to preserve IIA with an acceptable mid-term durability.

Comparison of Outcomes and Complications Among Patients with Different Indications of Acute/Subacute Complicated Stanford Type B Aortic Dissection Treated by TEVAR: Data from the JaPanese REtrospective multicenter stuDy of ThoracIc Endovascular Aortic Repair for Complicated Type B Aortic Dissection (J-Predictive Study).

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationships between indications for thoracic endovascular aortic repair for acute/subacute complicated Stanford type B aortic dissection and clinical outcomes, and complications specific to thoracic endovascular aortic repair. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The J-predictive study retrospectively collected data of patients treated with thoracic endovascular aortic repair for complicated Stanford type B aortic dissection at 20 institutions from January 2012 to March 2017. From the database, those treated for acute/subacute complicated Stanford type B aortic dissection were extracted (n = 118; 96 men; average age, 66.1 years; standard deviation, ± 13) and classified into groups 1, 2, and 3 according to thoracic endovascular aortic repair indications (rupture, superior mesenteric artery malperfusion, and renal or lower extremity malperfusion, respectively). Primary and secondary measures were mortality (overall and aortic-related) and complications related to thoracic endovascular aortic repair, respectively. For each outcome, the risks of being in groups 1 and 2 were statistically compared with that of being in group 3 as a control using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Mortality rate (odds ratio, 5.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33-20.53) and prevalence of paraparesis/paraplegia (odds ratio, 30.46; confidence interval, 1.71-541.77) were higher in group 1 than in group 3. Compared to group 3, group 2 showed no statistically significant differences in mortality or complications related to thoracic endovascular aortic repair. CONCLUSIONS: Rupture as an indication for thoracic endovascular aortic repair for type B aortic dissection was more likely to result in worse mortality and high prevalence of spinal cord ischemia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4, Case series.

Anatomical Analysis and Feasibility Study of Next-Generation Fenestrated or Branched Stent-Grafts for the Treatment of Arch Aneurysms.

Purpose: To analyze the anatomical characteristics of arch aneurysms and evaluate the anatomical feasibility of 4 next-generation stent-grafts with either branched or fenestrated configurations. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 213 patients (mean age 75.0±7.1 years; 179 men) with arch aneurysms treated using total arch replacement or zone 0 or 1 thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) from 2007 to 2017 at 2 Japanese hospitals. Anatomical analyses were performed using the centerline of flow technique on a 3-dimensional workstation. The anatomical feasibility of the Zenith A-branch, TAG Thoracic Branch Endoprosthesis (TBE), Terumo Aortic Relay Plus Double Branched (DB), and fenestrated Najuta stent-grafts were evaluated based on the instructions for use (IFU). Results: The mean lengths from the sinotubular junction (STJ) to the innominate artery (IA) and from the IA to the left common carotid artery were 114.9±15.9 and 12.8±5.6 mm, respectively. The mean aortic diameters at the STJ and IA were 31.3±3.4 and 34.1±5.3 mm, respectively. In terms of feasibility, 5.2% of patients were within the Zenith A-branch IFU, 40.8% for the TAG TBE, 24.9% for the Relay Plus DB, and 13.6% for the Najuta. Significant (>50% circumference) thrombus/calcification at the sealing zone affected nearly half of the patients, but there is currently no standardized definition or evaluation method for "significant" thrombus/calcification. Conclusion: Only 5% to 41% of arch aneurysm patients are anatomically suitable for TEVAR using any one of the next-generation branched or fenestrated stent-grafts. Furthermore, a definitive method of evaluating the thrombus/calcification burden needs to be established in future IFU.

Aortoduodenal Fistula After Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

Aortoduodenal fistula after endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm is a very rare but life-threatening complication. Herein, we describe 4 cases of aortoduodenal fistula diagnosed at 15 to 78 months after the index aortic intervention, all successfully treated by surgery. All patients underwent primary repair of the duodenal wall, creation of tube duodenostomy, stent graft removal, and in situ reconstruction using a rifampicin-soaked prosthesis. Patients received prolonged antibiotic treatment for at least 2 months postoperatively, and all were free of recurrent infection at follow-up. Prompt and appropriate surgical intervention is required to effectively manage this condition.

Management of Renal Arteries in Conjunction with Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Complicated Stanford Type B Aortic Dissection: The Japanese Multicenter Study (J-Predictive Study).

Background Management of abdominal branches associated with Stanford type B aortic dissection is controversial without definite criteria for therapy after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). This is in part due to lack of data on natural history related to branch vessels and their relationship with the dissection flap, true lumen, and false lumen. Purpose To investigate the natural history of abdominal branches after TEVAR for type B aortic dissection and the relationship between renal artery anatomy and renal volume as a surrogate measure of perfusion. Materials and Methods This study included patients who underwent TEVAR for complicated type B dissection from January 2012 to March 2017 at 20 centers. Abdominal aortic branches were classified with following features: patency, branch vessel origin, and presence of extension of the aortic dissection into a branch (pattern 1, supplied by the true lumen without branch dissection; pattern 2, supplied by the true lumen with branch dissection, etc). The branch artery patterns before TEVAR were compared with those of the last follow-up CT (mean interval, 19.7 months) for spontaneous healing. Patients with one kidney supplied by pattern 1 and the other kidney by a different pattern were identified, and kidney volumes over the course were compared by using a simple linear regression model. Results Two hundred nine patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 66 years ± 13; 165 men and 44 women; median follow-up, 18 months) were included. Four hundred fifty-nine abdominal branches at the last follow-up were evaluable. Spontaneous healing of the dissected branch occurred in 63% (64 of 102) of pattern 2 branches. Regarding the other patterns, 6.5% (six of 93) of branches achieved spontaneous healing. In 79 patients, renal volumes decreased in kidneys with pattern 2 branches with more than 50% stenosis and branches supplied by the aortic false lumen (patterns 3 and 4) compared with contralateral kidneys supplied by pattern 1 (pattern 2 vs pattern 1: -16% ± 16 vs 0.10% ± 11, P = .002; patterns 3 and 4 vs pattern 1: -13% ± 14 vs 8.5% ± 14, P = .004). Conclusion Spontaneous healing occurs more frequently in dissected branches arising from the true lumen than in other branch patterns. Renal artery branches supplied by the aortic false lumen or a persistently dissected artery with greater than 50% stenosis are associated with significantly greater kidney volume loss. © RSNA, 2019 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Quantification of aortic shagginess as a predictive factor of perioperative stroke and long-term prognosis after endovascular treatment of aortic arch disease.

OBJECTIVE: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with supra-aortic debranching has recently been introduced as a treatment option for aortic arch disease. Although less invasive than open repair, TEVAR is associated with a risk of perioperative embolic stroke due to dislodgment of atherosclerotic plaque debris, especially in individuals with atheromatous degeneration of the aortic lumen. It is difficult to determine atheroma vulnerability, and there is no current method for predicting the risk of atheroembolism. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of our method of quantifying the shagginess of the aorta in predicting the short- and long-term outcomes of TEVAR involving the aortic arch. METHODS: The study included 77 patients (63 men and 14 women; median age, 78 years) who underwent elective TEVAR for aortic arch disease between 2009 and 2013. The proximal landing of the stent graft was in zone 0 in 22 patients, zone 1 in 23 patients, and zone 2 in 32 patients. The shagginess score of each patient was calculated from preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography images of the aorta using a workstation. The relationships between preoperative factors, including the shagginess score, and the development of perioperative stroke and late survival were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Perioperative ischemic stroke occurred in nine patients, and no patient died within 30 days postoperatively. Univariate analyses demonstrated that the shagginess score was significantly higher in patients who developed postoperative cerebral infarction than in those who did not (P = .04). The median follow-up period was 1570 days, and the 5-year cumulative survival rate was 69.2%. Cox proportional hazards analyses showed that comorbid hypercholesterolemia was significantly associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 3.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-8.32; P = .02). As for cardiovascular mortality, the shagginess score was a significant predictive factor (HR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.04-3.28; P = .04), whereas statin use was significantly protective (HR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.02-0.66; P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: The shagginess score may be a useful predictive index of perioperative ischemic stroke as well as a prognostic factor of long-term outcomes after TEVAR with aortic arch involvement.

Perigraft fluid collection mimicking graft infection in patients with a para-anastomotic aneurysm.

We herein report two cases of perigraft effusion mimicking graft infection after debranching thoracic endovascular repair for an anastomotic pseudoaneurysm of the distal ascending aorta. Both patients presented with a bulging tumor on the sternum. Enhanced computed tomography showed no endoleak, but extension of periprosthetic graft fluid to a subcutaneous sternal wound was present. We suspected a deep sternal wound infection; however, cultures of débrided tissues were negative. After drainage of the subcutaneous fluid or negative pressure wound therapy, both patients were doing well without recurrence of effusion. Endotension was considered to have been associated with enlargement of the perigraft effusion.

Endovascular repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm followed by type B dissection.

An 86-year-old man with an abdominal aortic aneurysm was diagnosed with type B aortic dissection accompanied by a patent false lumen that started at the distal arch of the thoracic aorta and terminated at the left common iliac artery. Meticulous preoperative assessment detected 3 large intimal tears in the descending aorta, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and left common iliac artery. We performed single-stage thoracic and abdominal endovascular aneurysm repair and concomitant axillary-axillary bypass. The abdominal aortic aneurysm with type B aortic dissection was successfully treated using a single-stage endovascular stent graft, without any complications due to the careful preoperative examinations.

Quantified Aortic Luminal Irregularity as a Predictor of Complications and Prognosis After Endovascular Aneurysm Repair.

Atheromatous degeneration of the aorta is considered to be a risk factor for postoperative embolic complications after endovascular treatment, and is associated with a high incidence of vascular events in the long term. We devised a method to quantify the shagginess of the aorta using contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) images. This study examined the method's validity and prognostic usefulness in patients undergoing elective endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). We retrospectively investigated 427 patients who underwent elective EVAR between 2007 and 2013. Preoperative contrast-enhanced CT images with a slice thickness of 1 mm were analyzed using a workstation, and the degree of aortic luminal irregularity from the level of the left subclavian artery ostium to that of the celiac artery ostium was quantified by computing a shagginess score. We compared the computed scores with subjective visual assessments of aortic shagginess. Subsequently, we evaluated the relationship between the computed scores and postoperative prognosis. The shagginess scores were significantly correlated with the visual assessments of the aortic lumen, which were performed by 5 experienced vascular surgeons (rho ranged from 0.564-0.654, all P < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the shagginess score was independently associated with the development of renal impairment within a month after EVAR (odds ratio, 2.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.83-4.22, P < 0.001). The shagginess score was significantly higher in patients who suffered postoperative intestinal and peripheral ischemic complications, as compared with those who did not (P < 0.001). The mean postoperative follow-up period was 1207 ±â€Š641 days. Cox proportional hazards regression showed that the shagginess score was a significant independent predictor of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.37; 95% CI, 1.09-1.72, P = 0.007, and HR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.04-2.18, P = 0.030, respectively). The results suggest that the shagginess score provides a quantitative reflection of aortic luminal irregularity. It may serve as a useful predictive factor for postoperative renal function deterioration, embolic complications, and long-term mortality after elective EVAR.

A Cranial-Sided Approach for Repeated Mitral Periprosthetic Leak After Right Pneumonectomy.

A 72-year-old man presented with worsening dyspnea on effort. He underwent right pneumonectomy 40 years ago, then mitral valve replacement through a right thoracotomy 8 years ago with repeat surgery to repair a periprosthetic valve leak; the mediastinum was displaced to the right, and the heart was rotated counterclockwise. Transthoracic echocardiography showed periprosthetic valve leak recurrence near the left atrial appendage. We repaired the periprosthetic valve leak through a median sternotomy. Transecting the main pulmonary artery allowed us to widely open the cranial-sided left atrium. We obtained good exposure of the mitral valve, and repaired the periprosthetic valve leak using pledgeted sutures and a pericardial patch.

Successful surgical treatment for total circumferential aortic and mitral annulus calcification: application of half-and-half technique.

Patients with total circumferential mitral annular calcification (MAC) extending into the intervalvular fibrous body and aortic annulus have a high risk of cardiac surgery, which remains a technical challenge for surgeons. Our technique for MAC is characterized as simple supra-mitral annular prosthesis insertion after minimum debridement of calcification ("half-and-half technique"). To date, our technique has been applied in only simple MAC cases and has good results. Herein, we report successful two cases of total circumferential MAC, extending into the intervalvular fibrous body and aortic annulus that were treated by a simple double valve replacement with application of our "half-and-half technique".

Delayed Intestinal Ischemia after Surgery for Type A Acute Aortic Dissection.

We report a rare case of delayed intestinal ischemia after total arch replacement for type A acute aortic dissection. At the onset of acute aortic dissection, computed tomography (CT) angiography revealed celiac trunk occlusion and progressive dissection into the superior mesenteric artery without stenosis. However, following total arch replacement, visceral malperfusion was not detected by exploratory laparotomy. On postoperative day 12, the patient developed paralytic ileus without an elevated lactate level. CT angiography revealed new superior mesenteric artery stenosis by a thrombosed false lumen with persistent celiac trunk occlusion. Endovascular treatment including stent implantation resolved intestinal ischemia.

Less-Invasive Endovascular Treatment of Arch Aneurysm With Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery.

We report a patient with an arch aneurysm with an aberrant right subclavian artery who underwent successful endovascular treatment with the chimney technique and bilateral carotid artery-to-subclavian artery bypasses. We used a chimney graft in the left carotid artery to preserve its flow. The bilateral carotid-to-subclavian artery bypasses preserved perfusion of the bilateral vertebral arteries. A thoracic stent graft was subsequently deployed in the aortic arch over the chimney graft of the left carotid artery. There have been few reports about less-invasive treatment for arch aneurysm with aberrant right subclavian artery. This technique was an effective strategy to avoid a high-risk open operation.

Spinal cord injury after endovascular treatment for thoracoabdominal aneurysm or dissection.

OBJECTIVES: Postoperative spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating complication of surgical repair for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm or dissection (TAAD), despite the complex reconstruction of inter-costal or lumbar arteries involved in the surgery. As an alternative technique, endovascular thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair (EVTAR) with visceral artery reconstruction has been accepted as a treatment option for severe comorbid patients of TAAD, because there is a permissible frequency of SCI after EVTAR in spite of no reconstruction of inter-costal or lumbar arteries. We report the results of EVTAR at our hospital with a focus on spinal cord injury. METHODS: We analyzed data from 54 consecutive patients with TAAD (mean age, 74 ± 9.6 years; 42 men) who underwent EVTAR at our hospital between February 2007 and February 2014. Three types of EVTAR technique were used: fenestrated and/or branched stent graft implantation in 39 patients, a hybrid technique (bypass grafts to visceral arteries and straight stent graft implantation) in 10 patients, and intentional coverage of the coeliac artery and straight stent graft implantation in 5 patients. In all patients, mean systemic blood pressure was maintained at ≥80 mmHg. Opioid use was avoided in the perioperative period. RESULTS: According to the Crawford classification, the graft coverage extent was 9% (5/54) in type I, 11% (6/54) in type II, 39% (21/54) in type III, 22%(12/54) in type IV and 19% (10/54) in type V. In most patients (74%, 40/54), cerebrospinal fluid drainage was done intraoperatively and 1 day postoperatively. Hospital mortality was 5.6% (3/54). No patient developed SCI in the perioperative period. However, in the follow-up period 2 patients developed paraplegia as a consequence of shock caused by an aortic event. CONCLUSIONS: With close attention to spinal cord protection, EVTAR may be associated with only a low incidence of SCI in the perioperative period. Therefore, EVTAR is expected to become a promising treatment option for appropriately selected patients with TAAD.

Mitral valve repair with loop technique via median sternotomy in 180 patients.

OBJECTIVES: Artificial chordal reconstruction technique uses several expanded polytetrafluoroethylene loops to achieve mitral valve repair. METHODS: We studied retrospectively 180 patients who underwent mitral valve repair using the loop technique via median sternotomy: 86 for posterior leaflet prolapse, 48 for anterior leaflet prolapse and 26 for bileaflet prolapse. RESULTS: Of the 180 patients, 138 required 1 loop set; 40 patients required 2 and 2 patients with Barlow's disease required 3. Loop sets contained two to nine loops ranging in length from 14 to 26 mm. Additional techniques required to ensure complete repair using the loop technique included commissural edge-to-edge suture in 78 patients, loop-in-loop technique for extension of the artificial loop in 18 and use of needle-side sutures in 18. Systolic anterior leaflet motion was observed in only 2 patients (1.1%). One patient with immune deficiency died of sepsis. Predischarge echocardiograms showed no or trace mitral regurgitation (MR) in 160 patients (89%), mild MR in 17 patients (9.4)% and mild-to-moderate MR in 3 patients (1.7%). Only 1 patient required redo operation due to recurrent MR freedom from MR greater than moderate was seen in 98.0 ± 1.4% of patients at 1 year, 91.5 ± 2.8% of patients at 3 years, and 91.5 ± 2.8% at 5 years postoperatively. No significant difference was seen in the rate of recurrence of MR among the sites of prolapsing leaflets. CONCLUSIONS: The loop technique via median sternotomy to treat posterior, anterior and, especially, bileaflet prolapse provided satisfactory mid-term outcomes.

Evaluation of Aortic Valve Replacement via the Right Parasternal Approach without Rib Removal.

BACKGROUND: Although right parasternal approach (RPA) decreases the incidence of mediastinal infection, this approach is associated with lung hernia and flail chest. Our RPA employs thoracotomy with bending rib cartilages and wound closure performed by repositioning the ribs with underlying sheet reinforcement. METHODS: We evaluated 16 patients who underwent aortic valve replacement via the RPA from January 2010 to August 2013. We compared outcomes of 15 male patients had the RPA with 30 male patients had full median sternotomy. RESULTS: One patient with a history of radical breast cancer treatment underwent RPA with concomitant right coronary artery bypass grafting. No hospital deaths occurred. Four patients developed hospital-associated morbidity (re-exploration for bleeding, prolonged ventilation, cardiac tamponade, and perioperative myocardial infarction). There were no conversions to full median sternotomy, mediastinal infections, and lung hernias. Preoperative computed tomography showed that the distance from the right sternal border to the aortic root was significantly associated with operation times. With RPA, there was no significant difference in outcomes, despite significantly longer operation times compared with full median sternotomy. CONCLUSION: Our RPA provides satisfactory outcomes without lung hernia, especially in patients unsuitable for sternotomy. Preoperative computed tomography is useful for identifying appropriate candidates for the RPA.