Total aortic arch replacement without deep hypothermic circulatory arrest in type A aortic dissection: Left axillar artery for arterial cannulation.

Objective: Total aortic arch replacement (TAR) necessitates hypothermic circulatory arrest (CA). The frozen elephant trunk technique (FET) additionally requires commercial hybrid grafts. Herein we describe a novel modified FET technique without CA using standard grafts thanks to left axillary artery (LAxA) cannulation in patients with acute type A aortic dissection. Methods: LAxA anastomosis is made first using a homemade debranching graft, and cardiopulmonary bypass is initiated, followed by anastomoses of left common carotid and innominate arteries. The rest of the operation is performed with complete cerebral perfusion. Following replacement of ascending aorta/root, cardiac reperfusion is started using a root cannula which continues throughout the procedure. Distal arch anastomosis is performed clamp-on, allowing lower body perfusion via left subclavian artery. Lower body perfusion is interrupted for 5 to 8 minutes to deploy an endograft to complete a modified FET. Following cannulation of distal arch graft, perfusion of distal aorta is restarted, and all three grafts are incorporated to construct a neo-ascending aorta and arch. Results: Between December 2018 and May 2022, 38 patients underwent TAR without operative mortality. Hospital mortality was %15.7, and spinal cord ischemia and stroke were not encountered in surviving patients. The mean lower body CA time was 7.2 ± 2.8 minutes. Conclusions: TAR using standard endografts without CA is possible with LAxA cannulation. To perform a FET, only a short interruption of lower body circulation is sufficient to deploy an endograft, also improving hemostasis of distal anastomosis. Further studies are required with a higher number of patients to evaluate the efficiency of this novel technique.

Short-term results of chimney stent revascularization of left subclavian artery and Zone 2 thoracic endovascular aortic repair for patients with aortic dissection or transection.

Background: In this study, we present the short-term results of revascularization of left subclavian artery with the chimney technique in patients with aortic dissection or transection who underwent Zone 2 thoracic endovascular aortic repair. Methods: A total of 11 patients (6 males, 5 females; mean age: 56.4±11.5 years; range, 38 to 76 years) who underwent Zone 2 thoracic endovascular aortic repair procedure and left subclavian artery revascularization with the chimney technique between April 2017 and January 2020 in our clinic were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were followed at one, three, six months and one year with computed tomography angiography. Results: The mean follow-up was 19.7±14.5 (range, 6.3 to 45.8) months. Endoleak occurred in one (9%) patient and gutter leak occurred in three (27%) patients. The mean endoleak-free (including gutter leak) time was 19.9±5.4 (95% confidence interval: 9.36-30.34) months. No mortality occurred in any of the patients. No occlusion occurred in the chimney grafts. Conclusion: The chimney revascularization technique is an alternative to other revascularization techniques of the left subclavian artery during thoracic endovascular aortic repair.

Endovascular solution in a complex post-dissectional thoracic aortic aneurysm case.

A 45-year-old male patient presented to our clinic with a post-dissectional thoracic aortic aneurysm with the retrograde filling of the false lumen. He previously underwent a Bentall operation and a proximal thoracic endovascular aortic repair. We carried out a bare metal stent implantation concomitant with endograft extension and stent-assisted balloon-induced intimal disruption and relamination procedure consecutively. Although true lumen expansion was achieved, the aneurysmatic dilation of the descending thoracic aorta was kept on expanding due to perfusion of the false lumen by the distal re-entries. Therefore, it was decided to perform a totally false lumen thrombosis by the candy-plug technique. In conclusion, despite being a fatal disease, endovascular treatment of post-dissectional thoracic aortic aneurysm post-dissectional thoracic aortic aneurysm is possible in anatomically suitable patients with a stepwise approach in experienced endovascular centers.

The relationship between HbA1c & atrial fibrillation after off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery in diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: Diabetes mellitus is recognized as a risk factor for mortality and morbidity after coronary bypass grafting. We aimed to determine the association between preoperative hemoglobin HbA1c and AF after isolated off-pump coronary bypass grafting (OPCAB). METHODS: The seventy-two diabetic patients undergoing isolated off-pump coronary bypass grafting were retrospectively analyzed for AF. They were divided into; Low (4.8-5.4%), Medium (5.5-8%) and High (8.1-11.5%) groups. The three groups were compared with respect to demographic, echocardiographic, intraoperative and postoperative clinical characteristics correlation. RESULTS: Three patients died during postoperative period. AF occurred in 12 patients (16.6%) after surgery. The incidence of postoperative AF was 15.3% in the lower, 4.4% middle and 57.1% upper group. There was statistically significant correlation between preoperative HbA1C and preoperative stroke, preoperative MI history, Left atrial (LA) size, preoperative levosimendan, preoperative clopidogrel, postoperative AF, postoperative dopamine and dobutamine use, IABP, duration of extubation time, 24-hour chest tube drainage, duration of ICU and hospital mortality. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed significant correlation between postoperative AF and variables like preoperative HbA1c levels, LVEF<30%, history of preoperative MI, preoperative use of levosimendan, preoperative use of clopidogrel, postoperative dopamine, dobutamine adrenaline use, left atrium size, 24-hour chest tube drainage and length of stay in the intensive care unit. CONCLUSION: Preoperative HbA1c levels could predict the occurrence of postoperative AF in diabetic patients and may entail to administer protective strategies.

Effect of the P2Y12 antagonist ticagrelor on neointimal hyperplasia in a rabbit carotid anastomosis model†.

OBJECTIVES: In the present study, we aimed to deterimine the dose-related effects of ticagrelor, the first reversible inhibitor of the P2Y12 receptor, found in smooth muscle cells as well as platelets, during neointimal hyperplasia in a rabbit carotid anastomosis model. METHODS: This study was an experimental, prospective, randomized controlled study including 20 New Zealand white female rabbits (6-months old; weighing 2300 ± 300 g). Under general anaesthesia, the rabbits underwent transection of the right carotid artery and subsequent anastomosis of both ends. The study animals were divided into the following 4 groups: T1 (ticagrelor 5 mg/kg, orally, daily), T2 (ticagrelor 10 mg/kg, orally, daily), T3 (ticagrelor 20 mg/kg, orally, daily) and control (no ticagrelor treatment). The single oral doses were administered in phosphate-buffered saline. The control group received sterile phosphate-buffered saline (2 ml/kg/day, orally) for 3 weeks postoperatively. At the end of the study, the animals were killed, and the anastomosed segment of the right carotid artery and part of the left carotid artery were excised from each animal. Antibodies against transforming growth factor-ß were used in staining of arterial sections, which was followed by histomorphological and immunohistochemical studies. RESULTS: The median intimal thickness (2.0 ± 0.14 µm left vs 73.4 ± 35.8 µm anastomosed right arteries; P <0.05), the median medial thickness (70.8 ± 5.6 µm left vs 92.3 ± 4.5 µm anastomosed right arteries; P <0.05) and the index ratio of intimal thickness to medial thickness (0.03 ± 0.00 left vs 0.8 ± 0.35 anastomosed control right arteries; P <0.05) increased significantly in the anastomosed right arteries compared with the left carotid arteries in the control group. In the treatment groups, the intimal thickness (73.4 ± 35.8 µm in control group vs T1 32.7 ± 19;1 µm, T2 1.9 ± 0.09 µm and T3 2.2 ± 0.5 µm; P = 0.047, P = 0.009 and P = 0.009, respectively), carotid artery intima/media ratio (0.8 ± 0.35 in control group vs T1 0.4 ± 0.2, T2 0.03 ± 0.01 and T3 0.03 ± 0.01 in ticagrelor groups; P = 0.028, P = 0.009 and P = 0.009, respectively) and medial thickness (92.3 ± 4.5 µm in control group vs T2 65.6 ± 7.1 and T3 66.1 ± 7.6 µm; P = 0.009 and P = 0.009, respectively) decreased significantly in the anastomosed right arteries. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that effective doses (10 and 20 mg/kg, daily) of the antiplatelet agent ticagrelor in a rabbit model may be beneficial in prevention of intimal hyperplasia. Restenosis due to intimal hyperplasia has been high. Ticagrelor has also been linked to inhibition of smooth muscle cell proliferation and, hence, reduced intimal hyperplasia.

Transaortic intra-aortic balloon pump catheter insertion through a separate saphenous vein graft in patients with severe aortoiliac disease.

BACKGROUND: Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is the most widely used mechanical assist device for hemodynamic support in high risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The aim of our study was to confirm whether transaortic route is a suitable alternative to allow IABP insertion in patients with severe aortoiliac diseases. METHODS: This study included 7 consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting for severe coronary artery disease associated with severe aortoiliac disease. These patients could not be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass and required the IABP support, which were placed through the ascending aorta. IABP catheter was inserted indirectly through a separate saphenous vein graft anastomosed to the ascending aorta by an end-to-side manner under a partial occluding clamp and advanced to the desired position in the descending thoracic aorta and exteriorly brought into the subcutaneous tissues in the jugulum. RESULTS: The procedure was successfully performed in all the patients. The mean duration of IABP support was 54.0 ± 13.4 hours. There were no in-hospital mortality and complications related to transaortic route. IABP removal did not require repeat sternotomy. At postoperative 6th month, multislice CT examination showed thrombotic occlusion at the remnant of the saphenous vein graft. CONCLUSIONS: This technique is a simple, reliable, and reproducible option in patients with severe aortoiliac disease in whom retrograde femoral route is not possible.

Giant cardiac hydatid cyst in the interventricular septum protruding to right ventricular epicardium.

Cardiac hydatid cyst is a rare condition, and the location of a hydatid cyst in the interventricular septum is exceptional. A 54-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with complaints of chest pain, shortness of breath and malaise. Transthoracic echocardiography defined a cystic mass lesion of 50 × 59 mm originating from apex of the heart protruding into and compressing the interventricular septum. The cyst was excised surgically and the patient was discharged on the 8th postoperative day without symptoms. In our case, localization of the cystic mass was within interventricular septum which is an uncommon site. It limited both ventricular volumes significantly. In addition, this cyst was extensively protruding to the right ventricular epicardium.

Translocation of anomalous right coronary artery to aortic side of the aortopulmonary window: a different approach for a rare combination.

A case of aortopulmonary window associated with anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery in a four-month-old boy is reported in this paper with a different method of repair. In this patient, surgical repair was done by transferring the right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery to the aorta at the aortopulmonary window side. The defect at the pulmonary artery was repaired by a pericardial patch, so no other secondary opening was used for the aorta in order to reimplant the coronary artery.