Endovascular repair of ascending aortic pathologies in patients unfit for open surgery: case series and literature review.

The number of vascular centers performing endovascular repair of ascending aortic disease is constantly increasing. Accordingly to the guidelines, open surgical repair remains the gold standard for these pathologies. However, approximately one quarter of patients are deemed unfit for open surgery. In this study, we describe three cases of ascending thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) performed at our center. All the patients were deemed unfit for open surgery by the aortic team. Two patients had an ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm, and the third had a focal type A aortic dissection. In two cases, we used two abdominal aortic cuffs deployed from zone 0B to zone 0C, with no need for supra-aortic trunk debranching. In one case, we performed a "reverse" extrathoracic debranching, and we deployed a thoracic endograft from zone 0B to zone 2. Complications included one minor stroke and one inguinal hematoma. In one patient with an infected pseudoaneurysm, we performed ascending TEVAR as a bridge strategy for open repair. This patient developed a type Ia endoleak; however, clinical stabilization and infection control were obtained, and he was able to undergo heart surgery successfully. He underwent a second reintervention to treat superior mesenteric embolic occlusion. At 2 years of follow-up, all three patients were alive. Our preliminary experience demonstrates the technical feasibility and clinical appropriateness of ascending TEVAR using standard, commercially available endografts. However, no consensus has been reached regarding some critical aspects, such as the development of a standardized technique or the efficacy of the currently available devices. The improvements in graft design and the adoption of the "aortic team" approach could help in the near future to standardize the procedure, establish appropriate indications, and ensure good clinical outcomes.

Laparoscopic Clipping of the Inferior Mesenteric Artery and Intraoperative Indocyanine Green Angiography for Type II Endoleak Following Endovascular Aneurysm Repair.

Background: Type II endoleaks from a patent inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) occur in up to one-third of patients undergoing endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. In the majority of patients, retrograde flow in the aneurysmal sac outside the endograft will seal over time and is rarely associated with sac enlargement or aortic rupture. Intervention is generally recommended in patients with progressively enlarging endoleaks, especially when the sac diameter increases >10 mm during the follow-up, and endovascular IMA embolization has a high rate of treatment failure. Methods: We report a procedure of laparoscopic IMA clipping combined with intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) angiography to confirm vascular anatomy, colonic perfusion, and the technical success of the procedure. Results: Three selected octogenarian patients with persistent type II endoleak after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm underwent IMA clipping with ICG angiography. Mean operative time was 58 ± 9 minutes. There were no procedure-related complications, and no hypersensitivity reactions nor other side effects associated with ICG dye administration occurred. All patients were discharged home on postoperative day 1 and are asymptomatic and free of recurrence at a mean follow-up of 15 months. Conclusions: Laparoscopic IMA clipping is a safe remedial procedure in patients with type II endoleak after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Pre-operative Color Doppler Ultrasonography Predicts Endovenous Heat Induced Thrombosis after Endovenous Radiofrequency Ablation.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to identify pre-operative color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) variables predictive of post-operative endovenous heat induced thrombosis (EHIT) after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the saphenous veins. DESIGN: This was a single centre, observational study with retrospective analysis of consecutive patients treated from December 2010 to February 2017. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pre-operatively, the diameter of the sapheno-femoral junction (dSFJ), distance between superficial epigastric vein and SFJ (dSEV-SFJ) [corrected], maximum great saphenous vein (GSV) diameter (mdGSV), diameter of the saphenous-popliteal junction (dSPJ), and mean small saphenous vein (SSV) diameter (adSSV) were measured. All patients received low molecular weight heparin (LWMH) at a prophylactic dose for a week. Post-operatively, CDUS was performed after 72 h, 1 week, and 3 months. RESULTS: Venous interventions on 512 patients were performed: 449 (87.7%) underwent RFA of the GSV (Group 1), and 63 (12.3%) of the SSV (Group 2). At Day 3 post-operatively, CDUS documented 100% complete closure of the treated saphenous vein segment. Overall, 40 (7.8%) cases of post-operative EHIT were identified: 29 in Group 1, and 11 in Group 2 (6.4% vs. 17.5%, p = .005). Deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism did not occur in either group. At the 1 month follow up, all cases of EHIT regressed. In Group 1, on multivariate analysis, dSEV-SFJ [corrected] (OR, 1.13, p = .036; 95% CI 1.01-1.27) was the only statistically significant predictor for EHIT. A dSEV-SFJ [corrected] distance of 4.5 mm yielded an 84% of sensitivity for EHIT prediction with a 72.4% positive predictive value. In Group 2, univariate analysis did not identify independent risk factors for EHIT occurrence. CONCLUSIONS: EHIT was higher than previously reported. The dSEV-SFJ [corrected] was the most significant predictor for EHIT in the GSV group. A greater distance between the tip of the radiofrequency catheter and the SFJ may decrease the risk of developing this complication.

Activities at Thoracic Aortic Research Center, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato.

The Thoracic Aortic Research Center (TARC) of the IRCCS Policlinico San Donato (PSD) aims to promote research on thoracic aortic diseases, to disclose the scientific knowledge and clinical experience and to develop new scientific paths within the Hospital and the aortic community, in collaboration with other national and international centres. Thoracic Aortic Research Center collaborates with many centres in both Europe (e.g. University of Utrecht, the Netherlands) and the USA (e.g. University of Michigan). This has led to multiple highly regarded publications in respected cardiovascular journals and has led to several PhD programmes resulting in doctorate degrees. Within Italy, in association with the Bioengineering School of the University of Pavia, TARC has founded the "BETA-lab" (Biomechanics for Endovascular Treatment of the Aorta laboratory), where MDs, Bioengineers, and PhD fellows conduct experimental studies using in vitro/ex vivo models of the physiologic aorta and aortic diseases. Furthermore, a database (iCardiocloud) where the medical imaging of cardiovascular patients from the PSD is structured, for in silico analysis utilizing computational fluid dynamics, and in vitro studies using also 3D printed aortic models. With the role of principal investigator or co-investigator, TARC at PSD has been participating in other several projects, including the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection, the International Aortic Arch Surgery Study Group, the European Registry of Endovascular Aortic Repair Complications, the ADSORB and ASSIST trials, and the GREAT registry. International collaborations have included also studies on predictors of aortic growth after dissection with the Yale University and University of Virginia, and on aortic biomarkers with the University of Tokyo.

Open fenestration for complicated acute aortic B dissection.

Acute type B aortic dissection (ABAD) is a serious cardiovascular emergency in which morbidity and mortality are often related to the presence of complications at clinical presentation. Visceral, renal, and limb ischemia occur in up to 30% of patients with ABAD and are associated with higher in-hospital mortality. The aim of the open fenestration is to resolve the malperfusion by creating a single aortic lumen at the suprarenal or infrarenal level. This surgical procedure is less invasive than total aortic replacement, thus not requiring extracorporeal support and allowing preservation of the intercostal arteries, which results in decreased risk of paraplegia. Surgical aortic fenestration represents an effective and durable option for treating ischemic complications of ABAD, particularly for patients with no aortic dilatation. In the current endovascular era, this open technique serves as an alternative option in case of contraindications or failure of endovascular management of complicated ABAD.

Emergent treatment of aortic rupture in acute type B dissection.

Massive left hemothorax is a rare and dramatic complication of acute type B aortic dissection. The primary endpoint is to treat the aortic rupture, stop the bleeding and stabilize the hemodynamic status, with the aim to prevent mortality and major cardiac, cerebral, visceral and renal complications. Thoracic endovascular repair (TEVAR) is the most frequent management, although its planning, in these emergent patients, may be very difficult and sub-optimal imaging may result at post-operative examination (CT and MRI). In case of TEVAR is not the definitive treatment of the aortic disease, a second stage surgical management can be performed in elective status, in a patient with a total clinical recover. In acute and dramatic circumstances, like ruptured type B dissection, TEVAR is a valid and suitable bridge procedure to open surgery, reducing the overall risk for mortality and major complications.

Biomarkers in TAA-the Holy Grail.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is a silent disease, often discovered at a time point that dramatic complications, as rupture and dissection, occur. For the detection of asymptomatic TAA and prevention of such complications, it is essential to have an adequate screening tool. Until now, routine laboratory blood tests have played only a minor role in the screening, diagnosis, tracking and prediction of the natural history of TAAs. However, the knowledge about biomarkers is rapidly expanding in the cardiovascular field, and there are several potential biomarkers that might be implemented into TAA clinical practice in the near future. The most important and promising markers for TAA will be discussed in this overview.

Glomerular filtration rate after left renal vein division and reconstruction during infrarenal aortic aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVES: The study assessed the effect on postoperative renal function of left renal vein (LRV) division and reconstruction by direct reanastomosis or graft interposition during infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. METHODS: Between January 2001 and March 2006, 1189 patients underwent elective open repair of infrarenal AAAs. LRV division was performed in 15 (1.3%) and its reconstruction in all but one (LRV group), where the LRV was occluded. Patients' glomerular filtration rates (GFRs) were retrospectively estimated through postoperative day 4 by using the Cockcroft-Gault equation and compared with the GFRs of 56 controls undergoing AAA repair without LRV division (control group) randomly identified from a prospectively compiled database in a 4:1 ratio. Post hoc 1:1 case-matched analysis was also performed. Statistical analyses were performed as appropriate. RESULTS: Comparison of demographics and risk factors revealed no statistically significant differences between the two groups with the exception of the following: AAAs were larger in LRV group (71.4 +/- 17.1 mm vs 56.0 +/- 14.6 mm; P = .003) and preoperative GFR was lower in LRV group (65.3 +/- 19.0 mL/min/1.73 m(2) vs 82.8 +/- 22.3 mL/min/1.73 m(2); P = .009). Postoperatively, the trend of GFR with time did not differ between groups (P = .33). The variation of GFR at day 4 after surgery compared with preoperative values was not different either (5.6 +/- 12.6 mL/min/1.73 m(2) vs 1.0 +/- 15.5 mL/min/1.73 m(2); P = .67). A further 1:1 case-matched multivariate analysis of variance, matching patients and controls by AAA size and preoperative GFR, showed no difference in trend of GFR with time between groups (P = .15). Operative time was not significantly longer in LRV group (148.4 +/- 35.8 minutes vs 131.0 +/- 40.3 minutes; P = .07). No differences between groups were found for blood loss (585.7 +/- 264.2 mL vs 567.7 +/- 222.5 mL; P = .88), perioperative complications (5 vs 8; P = .12), or hospital length of stay (6.2 +/- 1.8 days vs 5.5 +/- 1.2 days; P = .10). A 6-month follow-up of renal function available in 12 patients of LRV group showed no significant decrease in GFR compared with postoperative values (70.8 +/- 24.8 mL/min/1.73 m(2) vs 69.1 +/- 23.5 mL/min/1.73 m(2); P = .86). At duplex scan, the reconstructed LRV could be insonated in nine of these 12 patients and all were patent. CONCLUSIONS: LRV division during AAA repair was associated with larger aneurysms and preoperative subclinical renal function impairment. In these patients, LRV reconstruction was associated with the maintenance of preoperative renal functional status without significantly lengthening of operative time or increasing the complications from surgery.