Midterm Clinical Outcomes of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Aortic Dissection with Malperfusion Syndrome.

Purpose: There is limited data on the midterm results of endovascular treatment for acute type B aortic dissection (TBAD) with malperfusion syndrome (MS), particularly in Asia. This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of endovascular treatment of acute TBAD with MS. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 27 patients who underwent endovascular treatment for acute TBAD with MS. Results: Among the 27 patients with TBAD and MS, malperfusion was observed in the isolated renal (44.4%), visceral (7.4%) and iliofemoral (25.9%) arteries, as well as their combinations (22.2%). The patients underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) only (25.9%), selective stenting only in arteries affected by malperfusion (22.2%), or combined treatment with TEVAR and selective stenting (51.9%). Primary technical success was achieved in all the patients. No inhospital mortality or early death within 30 days after operation occurred. The rates of stroke, limb ischemia, acute kidney injury, and reintervention at 30 days were 7.4%, 3.7%, 25.9%, and 3.7%, respectively. The mean follow-up period was 4.3±3.1 years. During the follow-up, the rates of death, stroke, maintenance hemodialysis, aneurysmal change, and reintervention were 0%, 3.7%, 7.4%, 7.4%, and 7.4%, respectively. Two patients required reintervention due to limb ischemia and aneurysmal changes in the distal portion of the stent graft. Computed tomography scans revealed a significant increase in aortic diameters in patients who underwent selective stenting compared to those who underwent TEVAR over a 3-year period, with changes in aortic area measuring 878.9 mm2 vs. 188.4 mm2 at the middle of the lesion (P=0.037), 303.7 mm2 vs. 22.8 mm2 at the level of the celiac trunk (P=0.025), and 442.9 mm2 vs. 37.3 mm2 at the level of the renal artery (P=0.019). Conclusion: The endovascular treatment of acute TBAD with MS demonstrated a high primary technical success rate and promising short- and midterm clinical outcomes.

Impact of ablation duration on rhythm outcome after concomitant maze procedure using cryoablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of ablation duration during a maze procedure using a nitrous oxide-based cryosurgical system. METHODS: From May 2001 to December 2006, 256 consecutive patients who underwent a concomitant maze procedure using nitrous oxide-based cryoablation for chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) during cardiac surgery were enrolled. The ablation duration for each lesion was between 120 s at -60 °C in 140 patients (control group) and 160 s in 116 patients (long duration group). RESULTS: One in-hospital death occurred, and a permanent pacemaker was implanted in one patient (0.4%). At discharge, absence of AF was noted in 84.5% of the long duration group and in 87.1% of the control group. During follow up, patients in the long duration group achieved and maintained the absence of AF at a higher rate than the control patients (96% vs. 84% at 24 months, respectively: P = 0.008). Multivariable analysis identified long AF duration as the only independent predictor of AF recurrence. At late follow up, left atrial mechanical activity was less frequent in the control group than in the long duration group. The mean left atrial volume index was lower in the long duration group than in the control group. CONCLUSION: The modified cryomaze procedure is safe and effective. Ablation time plays an important role in achieving and maintaining the absence of AF. Long cryoablation duration is recommended for optimal cryomaze results.

Aortic Valve Replacement With Carpentier-Edwards: Hemodynamic Outcomes for the 19-mm Valve.

BACKGROUND: To compare hemodynamic performance and clinical outcomes after aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis with the 19-mm Carpentier-Edwards pericardial bioprosthesis versus larger valves. METHODS: Between January 1998 and December 2013, 447 consecutive patients underwent aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis with the Carpentier-Edwards Perimount (n = 61) or Magna bioprostheses (n = 386). Based on the implanted valve size, the patients were classified into three groups: a 19-mm group (n = 54), a 21-mm group (n = 154), and a 23-mm to 27-mm group (n = 239). The in vivo effective orifice area index was measured by transthoracic echocardiography 12 months after operation (n = 331). The mean follow-up time was 4.9 ± 3.5 (maximum 15.4) years. RESULTS: There were three early deaths (0.7%). At 10 years, overall survival (84.1%) was unaffected by patient-prosthesis mismatch (18.7%, 62 patients), and freedom from structural valve deterioration and endocarditis was 100% and 97.1%, respectively. Although the 19-mm group was significantly older and had a higher incidence of patient-prosthesis mismatch (n = 14, 30.4%), there were no significant differences in early outcomes, overall survival, cardiac-related mortality, or serial reduction of left ventricular mass index in comparison with patients with a larger bioprostheses. Independent risk factors for all-cause mortality were age, male gender, combined coronary artery bypass graft, and low hemoglobin level. CONCLUSION: The Carpentier-Edwards pericardial bioprosthesis appears to be associated with acceptable clinical outcomes and hemodynamic profile.

A novel measurement technique for the design of fenestrated stent grafts: Comparison with three-dimensional aorta models.

BACKGROUND: Stent graft placement is an acceptable treatment option for aortic disease, particularly for abdominal aortic aneurysm. At present, the use of stent grafts is expanding beyond current indications for use. Fenestrated stent grafts are used in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms whose aortic anatomy is unsuitable for repair using standard devices. The success of fenestrated stent graft placement is largely dependent on planning, including obtaining measurements and designing the stent. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate a measurement technique that may be used for the design of fenestrated stent grafts to repair endovascular aneurysms, and to compare these measurements, obtained using archived two-dimensional patient data, with measurements obtained using a three-dimensional (3-D) computer-assisted design model. METHODS: Fenestrated stent grafts were designed and fabricated based on computed tomographic angiography images. 3-D models were constructed using modelling software and rapid prototyping technology incorporated with fused deposition modelling. The stent grafts were trunk-type, with four holes for the visceral branches (celiac axis, superior mesenteric artery, right renal artery and left renal artery). Computed tomography scans of 10 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms were reviewed. Axial, multiplanar reconstruction and curved multiplanar reconstruction images were used to measure 11 parameters. Sizing of the fenestrated aortic stent grafts was performed independently by an experienced interventional radiologist, and the results were compared with the same measurements calculated using the 3-D aorta model (generated using Materialise Interactive Medical Image Control System software [Materialise NV, Belgium]). Data were reported as the mean of the measurements. Measurements were evaluated using Bland-Altman analysis and concordance correlation coefficients (CCCs). RESULTS: A total of 10 fenestrated stent grafts were fabricated. The proximal landing section above the celiac axis (one point of the wall being defined as the standard point) was 3 cm, and the distal flared section was 3 cm below the lowest renal artery. Ten computer-assisted design aorta models were successfully constructed. Measurements of the aortic diameter showed high agreement between those obtained using the archived patient computer system stent graft and those obtained using the 3-D aorta model. The CCC for variability was 0.9974. The distance from the standard point to the branch vessels also demonstrated good agreement. The CCC for variability was 0.9999. DISCUSSION: A direct measurement technique using a standard point was simple to perform and was easily applied to the fabrication process. Preparation time will likely be shortened and the versatility of stent grafts will be improved using this method. It will be possible to produce standardized fenestrated stent grafts once patients' measurements are recorded and analyzed. CONCLUSION: A fenestrated stent graft design technique using measurements of distance from a standard point generally showed a high level of agreement with a 3-D aorta model.

Endovascular repair of bilateral iliac artery aneurysm with branched iliac stents: case report and review of the current literature.

Common iliac artery aneurysm (CIA) often occurs in conjunction with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), which extends into one or both CIAs in 20% to 30% of patients. Conventional endovascular treatment includes coil embolization of the internal iliac artery (IIA), followed by extension of the main bifurcated AAA stent-graft into the external iliac artery. However, complications from intentional occlusion of unilateral or bilateral IIAs are frequent and sometimes serious. Several methods try to preserve the unilateral or bilateral IIA. Here we report a case of concomitant bilateral CIA and AAA successfully treated with bilateral branched iliac stent-grafts.