Incidence Rates of Penn Classes and Class-Specific Mortality in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection Patients: An Epidemiologic Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) is a life-threatening emergency that is associated with a high morbidity and mortality rate. One of the complications is end-organ ischemia, a known predictor of mortality. The primary aims of this meta-analysis were to summarize the findings of observational studies investigating the utility of the Penn classification system and to analyze the incidence rates and mortality patterns within each class. The electronic databases PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase were searched through to April 2023. These were filtered by multiple reviewers to give 10 studies that met the inclusion criteria. The extracted data included patient characteristics, and primary outcomes were the incidence rates of different Penn classes, along with the corresponding mortality for each class. Out of 1,512 studies identified during the initial search, 10 studies, including 4,494 patients, met the inclusion criteria. The pooled incidence of Penn A was highest at 0.55 (95% CI 0.52, 0.58), followed by Penn B at 0.21 (95% CI 0.17, 0.25), and finally Penn C at 0.14 (95% CI 0.11, 0.17). Patients with Penn BC were found to be at the highest risk of death, as their early mortality rates were 0.36 (95% CI 0.31, 0.41). Within those populations, the subtype with the highest individual mortality was Penn C at 0.21 (95% CI 0.15, 0.27), followed by Penn B at 0.19 (95% CI 0.15, 0.23) and Penn A at 0.07 (95% CI 0.05, 0.10). Among patients presenting with ATAAD, class A was most frequently observed, followed by classes B, C, and BC. These findings indicate an incremental increase in mortality rates with the progression of Penn classification.

Application of the Type, Entry Site, and Malperfusion Classification in Treatment of Aortic Dissection.

BACKGROUND: Our goal is to investigate a new practical dissection classification system, including type of dissection, location of the tear of the primary entry, and malperfusion. METHODS: The outcome of 151 patients with aortic dissection between January 2019 and May 2020 retrospectively were analyzed. All cases were classified with the Stanford dissection classification (A and B) by adding type non-A non-B. They were then further classified by the new classification system, including location of the primary Entry (E) and Malperfusion (M). All cases were followed up for six months. RESULTS: The distribution of 151 patients was 53.0%, 27.8%, and 19.2%, respectively, in type A, B, and non-A non-B. The in-hospital mortality rate was 8.8%, 2.4%, and 3.4% in type A, B, and non-A non-B (P < 0.05) and postoperative neurological complications occurred in 33.8%, 7.1%, and 13.8% in type A, B, and non-A non-B (P < 0.05). Total arch replacement was performed in 53.8%, 4.8%, and 13.8% in type A, B, and non-A non-B. The in-hospital mortality rate was 12.0%, 10.4%, and 8.5% in type E1, E2 and E3, while it was 20.0%, 10.4%, and 8.5% in type M1, M2 and M3 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The new practical dissection classification system is useful as a supplement to the Stanford dissection classification by regarding the extent of the disease process, aiding in decision-making about the operative indication and plan, and helping in anticipating prognosis.

Current nomenclature and histopathological criteria for assessment of the noninflammatory degenerative diseases of the aorta.

A histopathological examination of the surgical specimen of the aorta usually follows a surgical reconstruction of the aortic aneurysm or dissection. Among the adults, the frequent cause of the aneurysm development is a severe atherosclerosis, while in children the aneurysm or dissection usually come as a complication of genetic syndromes. The common microscopical denominator of those diseases is a medial degeneration of variable degree. For a long time, a terminology of microscopical structural alterations used to be subjective and unsettled. In 2016, the first international guidelines for the histopathological assessment of the non-inflammatory degenerative diseases of the aorta were established. They introduced unified nomenclature, defined individual microscopic alterations and implemented a three-tier grading system. This work aims at practical aspects of the microscopical assessment and interpretation of the degenerative processes in the aorta with regards to the aforementioned consensus.

Expanded Petticoat technique to promote the reduction of contrasted false lumen volume in patients with chronic type B aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the outcomes of our novel concept of expanded provisional extension to induce complete attachment strategy (Petticoat) for safety, durability, and remodeling of chronic type B dissections. METHODS: Twenty patients with chronic type B aortic dissection with aneurysmal degeneration qualified for an expanded Petticoat strategy (stent graft in the thoracic, plus additional distal bare stent into the abdominal and infrarenal aorta, followed by parallel stent grafts into common iliac arteries). Computed tomography was performed preoperatively and at 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: The primary technical success was 100%. The 30-day mortality rate was 0%. At 12 months, favorable aortic remodeling and complete false lumen (FL) thrombosis were noted as 100% in the thoracic and infrarenal aorta. The volume of contrast-enhanced FL decreased from 186 ± 75.4 mL all along the dissection preoperatively (range, 70-360 mL), to 6.32 ± 5.4 mL postoperatively (range, 0.0-19.6 mL) and was only observed in the visceral aorta (P = .000089). Despite persistent flow in a small area of the FL, the maximal aortic size was stable in follow-up. Neither paraplegia nor visceral branch occlusion were noted in the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of aortic dissections with an expanded Petticoat strategy seems to be safe and offers good early results. It significantly reduced the volume of contrast enhanced FL. Further investigation of any subsequent results will be necessary.

VI2TA2 S2C2ORE: a new score system for in hospital mortality in acute aortic dissections.

INTRODUCTION: Aortic dissections classification systems have always been an argument of debate. It is well known that none of the described classifications is complete and easy at the same time. While the more used classification is currently the Stanford classification, it is clear that type A and B dissections prognosis can dramatically vary, depending on many different characteristics that they can present. The aim of this study was to propose a new severity score system that could reflect the risk of in hospital mortality of acute aortic dissections. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Through a review of the literature, studies describing significant predictors of in hospital mortality of any type of aortic dissection were searched and selected by predefined selection criteria. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Nine studies met the criteria and were finally analyzed. The Odds Ratios of the reported predictors were the basis to the drawing of the score system. Sixteen main in hospital mortality predictors were found, 14 of which described in more than one study. They were combined into a new severity score system that we named VI2TA2 S2C2ORE. CONCLUSIONS: This is a simple risk score that we propose as a first assessment risk-evaluating tool. We look forward to validate it and to describe specific in hospital mortality risk ranges once it will be adopted.

Differences of patients' characteristics in acute type A aortic dissection - surgical data from Belgian and Japanese centers.

BACKGROUND: It is well known that there are major differences between the Japanese and Western population regarding the incidence of ischemic heart disease and stroke. The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences of patients' characteristics between Belgian and Japanese cohort with acute type A aortic dissection. METHODS: In 487 patients (297 male patients, mean age 61.9 ± 12.2 yrs) who underwent surgery for acute type A aortic dissection, baseline preoperative and intraoperative data were collected. Belgian patients (n = 237) were compared to Japanese patients (n = 250). Clinical data included patient demographics, history, status at presentation, imaging study results and intraoperative findings. RESULTS: The Japanese cohort had significantly more women (48.8% vs. 28.7%, p < 0.0001), lower BMI (24.2 vs. 26.4, p < 0.0001) and lower prevalence of hypertension (49.2% vs. 65.8%, p = 0.0002). More DeBakey type I dissections and less type III dissections with retrograde extension were reported in Belgium than in Japan (77.2% vs. 48.4%, p < 0.0001, 3.4% vs. 38.7%, p < 0.0001, respectively). More entries were found in the ascending aorta (78.5% vs. 58.5%, p < 0.0001) and aortic arch (24.9% vs. 13.7%, p = 0.0018) in Belgian patients than in Japanese patients, who had more entries in the descending aorta or undetected entries. CONCLUSIONS: In acute type A aortic dissection, Belgian patients reveal striking differences from Japanese patients regarding gender distribution, entry tear location and type of dissection. Japanese women are more likely to develop acute type A aortic dissection than Belgian women. (234 words).

Machine-learning phenotypic classification of bicuspid aortopathy.

BACKGROUND: Bicuspid aortic valves (BAV) are associated with incompletely characterized aortopathy. Our objectives were to identify distinct patterns of aortopathy using machine-learning methods and characterize their association with valve morphology and patient characteristics. METHODS: We analyzed preoperative 3-dimensional computed tomography reconstructions for 656 patients with BAV undergoing ascending aorta surgery between January 2002 and January 2014. Unsupervised partitioning around medoids was used to cluster aortic dimensions. Group differences were identified using polytomous random forest analysis. RESULTS: Three distinct aneurysm phenotypes were identified: root (n = 83; 13%), with predominant dilatation at sinuses of Valsalva; ascending (n = 364; 55%), with supracoronary enlargement rarely extending past the brachiocephalic artery; and arch (n = 209; 32%), with aortic arch dilatation. The arch phenotype had the greatest association with right-noncoronary cusp fusion: 29%, versus 13% for ascending and 15% for root phenotypes (P < .0001). Severe valve regurgitation was most prevalent in root phenotype (57%), followed by ascending (34%) and arch phenotypes (25%; P < .0001). Aortic stenosis was most prevalent in arch phenotype (62%), followed by ascending (50%) and root phenotypes (28%; P < .0001). Patient age increased as the extent of aneurysm became more distal (root, 49 years; ascending, 53 years; arch, 57 years; P < .0001), and root phenotype was associated with greater male predominance compared with ascending and arch phenotypes (94%, 76%, and 70%, respectively; P < .0001). Phenotypes were visually recognizable with 94% accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: Three distinct phenotypes of bicuspid valve-associated aortopathy were identified using machine-learning methodology. Patient characteristics and valvular dysfunction vary by phenotype, suggesting that the location of aortic pathology may be related to the underlying pathophysiology of this disease.

How Could These Mini Saccular Aneurysms of Ascending Aorta Be Classified?

The wall of a true aneurysm is composed of all histologic layers of the aorta. A false aneurysm represents a small, contained rupture of aorta followed by bulging of the corresponding area that is usually sustained by a fibrous peel. Aortic dissection is defined as a separation of the lamellae of the aortic wall. Herein, we describe an unusual clinical presentation of aortic dissection in a 37-year-old male patient that presented severe aortic regurgitation and unusual bulges with linear intimal fissures in ascending aorta underwent mechanical aortic valve replacement and interposition of tubular vascular graft in ascending aorta.

Acute type a aortic dissection associated with a sporting activity.

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical characteristics of acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) occurring during a sporting activity. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 615 patients who underwent surgery for ATAAD between 1990 and 2015. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether the ATAAD was associated with a sporting activity (sports group: n = 25, mean age 62.3 years; non-sports group: n = 590, mean age 63.7 years). Specific activity was assessed in the sports group, and the characteristics and outcomes were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The sports group accounted for 5% of the patients with daytime onset ATAAD (25/479). The most common sport was golf (n = 8), followed by swimming (n = 4), cycling (n = 4), and weight lifting (n = 3). The average diameter of the ascending aorta on preoperative computed tomography was 4.8 cm. The dissection characteristics of the sports group included DeBakey type I (n = 23, 92%) and malperfusion (n = 9, 36%), which were similar to those of the non-sports group. The 30-day mortality rates were 16% (4/25) for the sports group and 8% (49/590) for the non-sports group (P = 0.33). CONCLUSIONS: The most common sport associated with ATAAD was golf, followed by swimming cycling, and weight lifting. The findings of this study reinforce that sports-related aortic dissection is not a unique clinical condition of young syndromic patients, but can occur in all age groups.

Stent Grafting Acute Aortic Dissection: Comparison of DeBakey Extent IIIA Versus IIIB.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with stent grafting is effective for acute dissection in selected patients, but most remain at risk for reintervention. The effect of the extent of dissection on outcome is unclear. Objectives of this study were to compare characteristics, outcomes, and aortic remodeling after TEVAR between patients with DeBakey extent IIIA and IIIB dissection. METHODS: From 2005 to 2013, 520 patients presented with acute aortic syndrome. TEVAR was performed in 108 (41 IIIA, 67 IIIB) during the acute phase. Detailed three-dimensional computed tomography imaging analysis was performed in all patients. RESULTS: Patients with IIIA dissection were older (69.9 ± 10 vs 59.5 ± 13 years; p < 0.001) and more likely to have had prior cardiovascular operations (p = 0.01) than IIIB. The most common indication for TEVAR was ischemia in IIIB (66%), and pain (34%) in IIIA. Rupture was more common in IIIA (24.3% vs 1.5%; p < 0.001). Aortic diameters were similar between groups, but IIIB patients had smaller true/false lumen ratio (0.89 ± 1.08 vs 1.76 ± 1.27; p = 0.003). Stent graft coverage was 152 ± 42 mm for IIIA vs 212 ± 85 mm for IIIB (p < 0.001). Additional branch stents were used in 20 IIIB patients (30%), and 7 had infrarenal stenting. Early mortality and complications were similar between groups, except for renal failure (4.4% IIIB vs 0% IIIA; p = 0.04). Mean follow-up was 30 ± 28 months. Estimated survival at 1, 3 and 5 years was 84%, 65%, and 38% for IIIA, and 70%, 66%, and 59% for IIIB, respectively, with no significant difference. Significant expansion of the true lumen occurred in both groups after stenting, and the aortic and false lumen diameter increased only at the level of the abdominal aorta in IIIB patients. The false lumen was thrombosed in 91% of IIIA vs 62% of IIIB patients at the mid-descending aorta. Intervention was required in 15% (6 of 39) of IIIA and in 26% (15 of 58) of IIIB patients. CONCLUSIONS: In patients requiring TEVAR for acute dissection, patient factors and aortic morphology differ by the extent of the dissection. Aortic remodeling after TEVAR was better in patients with limited extent (IIIA) dissection than in than patients with extensive (IIIB) dissection. Despite these differences, very little difference was noted in early and late outcomes, which may be explained by differences in patient characteristics.

Acute renal failure and hepatocellular damage as presenting symptoms of type II aortic dissection.

Introduction: Pericardial effusion can be a consequence of a number of pathological conditions, and as such it can cause impaired left ventricular filling followed by decreased cardiac output and blood pressure. This kind of hemodynamic compromise and its consequences are extremely uncommon unless pericardial effusion causes tamponade. Case Outline: We describe a very rare case of a 30-year old male patient, with an acute aortic dissection type II causing pericardial effusion without clinical nor echocardiographic signs of tamponade, while presenting with an acute renal and hepatic failure. After initial diagnostic uncertainties, and following final diagnosis of an acute aortic dissection, this patient underwent surgical aortic valve replacement with a satisfactory outcome. Conclusion: It is important to underscore the significance of clinical situation of simultaneously existing acute renal and hepatic failures in the setting of a "non-tamponade" pericardial effusion, following a type II aortic dissection. Although most commonly aortic dissection presents itself with typical clinical symptoms or patient history data, it is not that unusual for it to be hidden in an entirely atypical clinical milieu as the one described in this case.

Type A Aortic Dissection Occurring After Previous Cardiac Surgery.

BACKGROUND: We retrospectively reviewed our experience of total arch replacement in patients undergoing repair of an ascending aortic dissection following previous cardiac surgery. METHODS: Data were collected for patients with acute type A aortic dissection following previous cardiac surgery between January 2005 and December 2014. Clinical and prognostic features were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-eight eligible patients (nonelective: 10, elective: 18) were identified. There was a mean period of 44.5 months between the first operation and the subsequent surgery. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 21.4%; 30.0% for nonelective patients and 16.7% for elective patients. Postoperative morbidity rate was higher among nonelective patients versus elective group. During follow-up, two patients died: one from intracranial hemorrhage and the other from a noncardiac cause. One patient received endografting as a result of the true lumen being compressed by the false lumen following aortic repair. CONCLUSIONS: When hemodynamically stable, patients with acute ascending aortic dissection following previous cardiac surgery may have improved outcomes if the surgery can be performed on an elective basis.

Impact of Hemodynamic Instability and Organ Malperfusion in Elderly Surgical Patients Treated for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection.

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies indicate acceptable survival rates in elderly patients treated surgically for acute type A aortic dissection (aTAAD). However, the impact of preoperative hemodynamic compromise or organ malperfusion on outcomes of such patients is still unclear. METHODS: In a retrospective study of 341 patients, 101 qualified as elderly (≥70 years old). Subjects were further grouped by clinical presentation, using the Penn classification. Univariate and multivariable analyses were conducted to identify variables reflecting in-hospital and long-term mortality. RESULTS: Relative to younger subjects, elderly patients showed significantly higher rates of in-hospital mortality (24.8% vs. 14.6%, p = 0.025) and DeBakey type 2 dissections at presentation (40% vs. 18% p < 0.001), with significantly fewer presenting as Penn class Ab (p = 0.010). Penn class Ac was identified as an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality at all ages. Estimated long-term survival was poorer in the elderly (log rank p < 0.001); but in-hospital mortality, based on Penn classification, was similar for both age groups. Survival rates of Penn class Aa subjects at one, five, and 10 years were lower in elderly (vs. younger) patients (79 ± 5.6% vs. 90 ± 2.7%, 68 ± 6.7% vs. 80 ± 3.9%, and 39 ± 10.3% vs. 75 ± 4.6%, respectively; log rank p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Overall in-hospital mortality is higher in elderly patients surgically treated for aTAAD. Malperfusion and/or hemodynamic instability at presentation confer a dismal prognosis, independent of patient age.

Utilización de stents direccionadores de flujo en aneurismas viscerales / Use of flow-diverting stents in visceral aneurysms

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The role of multidetector-row CT in the diagnosis, classification and management of acute aortic syndrome.

The term "acute aortic syndrome" (AAS) encompasses several non-traumatic life-threatening pathologies of the thoracic aorta presenting in patients with a similar clinical profile. These include aortic dissection, intramural haematoma and penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers. These different pathological entities can be indistinguishable on clinical grounds alone and may be confused with other causes of chest pain, including myocardial infarction. Multidetector-row CT (MDCT) is the current modality of choice for imaging AAS with a sensitivity and specificity approaching 100%. Early diagnosis and accurate radiological classification is associated with improved clinical outcomes in AAS. We review the characteristic radiological features of the different pathologies that encompass AAS and highlight the vital role of MDCT in determining the management of these life-threatening conditions.