Objective To summarize the characteristics and management of pregnancy complicated with aortic dissection, and to explore the reasonable diagnosis and treatment plan. Methods The clinical data of 10 patients of pregnancy complicated with aortic dissection in Wuhan Tongji Hospital from January 2011 to June 2017 were collected. Their age was 25.2 (21-29) years. Results In the 10 patients, the majority (8 patients) were primipara, and most of them were in the late stages of pregnancy (5 patients) and puerperal (4 patients). Among them, 1 patient had gestational hypertension, and the blood pressure of the left and right upper extremities was significantly abnormal (initial blood pressure: left upper limb blood pressure: 90/60 mm Hg, right upper limb blood pressure: 150/90 mm Hg). The major clinical manifestations were severe chest and back pain which happened suddenly, with D-dimmer and C-creative protein increased which may be associated with inflammatory reaction. All patients were diagnosed by thoracoabdominal aortic CTA, including 5 patients of Stanford type A dissection and 5 patients of Stanford type B dissection. In the 10 patients, 1 patient refused surgery and eventually died of aortic rupture with the death of fetus before birth. And the remaining 9 patients underwent surgical treatment, 3 patients of endovascular graft exclusion for thoracic aortic stent graft, 2 patients underwent Bentall operation, 1 patient with Bentall + total aortic arch replacement + vascular thoracic aortic stent graft, 1 patient with Bentall operation combined with endovascular graft exclusion for thoracic aortic stent graft, 1 patient with Bentall + coronary artery bypass grafting, 1 patient of thoracoabdominal aortic vascular replacement. Among them, 1 patient underwent endovascular graft exclusion for thoracic aortic stent graft died of severe postoperative infection, and the remaining 8 patients were discharged from hospital. Nine patients were single birth, among them 5 newborn patients had severe asphyxia, 4 patients had mild asphyxia. Finally, 3 neonates died of severe complications, and the remaining 6 survived. Conclusion The ratio of pregnancy with Stanford type A aortic dissection is far higher than in the general population, the possibility of fetal intrauterine asphyxia is larger, but through active and effective surgical and perioperative treatment, we can effectively save the life of mother and fetus.
ObjectiveTo explore the single-center experience of hybrid therapy in treatment of Stanford type A aortic dissection, and to make a comparison of the clinical results of this hybrid therapy with total arch replacement surgery in the same period.MethodsFrom March 2017 to April 2020, 272 patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection underwent surgical treatment in our center, including 147 patients (126 males and 21 females) who received the aortic arch surgery. Among them, 106 patients underwent replacement of ascending aorta+aortic arch+stent trunk (total arch replacement group), while 41 patients underwent one-stop compound total arch type Ⅱ hybrid surgery (compound total arch replacement group). We tried to identify whether hybrid surgery really simplified total arch replacement surgery of the aortic dissection by comparing the operative mortality, postoperative complication rate, operative time, extracorporeal circulation time, etc.ResultsThere was no statistical difference in preoperative clinical data or death rate between the two groups. However, blood transfusion (6.74±7.35 U vs. 4.65±6.87 U, P<0.05), postoperative respiratory insufficiency [16 (15.09%) vs. 2 (4.88%), P<0.05], and apoplexy [3 (2.83%) vs. 0, P<0.05], paraplegia [2 (1.89%) vs. 0, P<0.05], in the compound total arch replacement group was significantly better than those of the total arch replacement group. The compound total arch replacement group did not shorten the total operation time, but it was significantly better in terms of extracorporeal circulation time (175.50±55.70 min vs. 129.70±48.80 min, P<0.05), aortic block time (103.10±23.70 min vs. 49.70±30.10 min, P<0.05), and the time of stopping the circulation or avoiding stopping the circulation (32.10±7.20 min vs. 0 min, P<0.05). The postoperative mechanical ventilation time was shorter in the compound total arch group (62.60±31.70 h vs. 41.30±32.60 h, P<0.05), and the time of staying in ICU (124.50±61.50 h vs. 63.40±71.20 h, P<0.05) and the postoperative hospital stay (13.50±11.20 d vs. 9.20±7.20 d, P<0.05) were significantly shorter than those in the total replacement group. A total of 138 patients were followed up for 6-38 (15.8±6.4) months. There was no statistical difference in one-year mortality or three-year mortality (P>0.05).ConclusionHybrid surgery shortens extracorporeal circulation time, while reduces or avoids the time of deep hypothermia circulatory arrest, the incidence of complications and the time of hospital stay. In conclusions, hybrid surgery simplifies the arch management of acute Stanford type A aortic dissection.
Objective To explore the efficacy of prone positioning ventilation in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after acute Stanford type A aortic dissection (STAAD) surgery. Methods From November 2019 to September 2021, patients with ARDS who was placed prone position after STAAD surgery in the Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital of Xiamen University were collected. Data such as the changes of blood gas, respiratory mechanics and hemodynamic indexes before and after prone positioning, complications and prognosis were collected for statistical analysis. ResultsA total of 264 STAAD patients had surgical treatment, of whom 40 patients with postoperative ARDS were placed prone position. There were 37 males and 3 females with an average age of 49.88±11.46 years. The oxygen partial pressure, oxygenation index and peripheral blood oxygen saturation 4 hours and 12 hours after the prone positioning, and 2 hours and 6 hours after the end of the prone positioning were significantly improved compared with those before prone positioning ventilation (P<0.05). The oxygenation index 2 hours after the end of prone positioning which was less than 131.42 mm Hg, indicated that the patient might need ventilation two or more times of prone position. Conclusion Prone position ventilation for patients with moderate to severe ARDS after STAAD surgery is a safe and effective way to improve the oxygenation.
ObjectiveTo analyze the risk factors relevant retrograde type A aortic dissection (RTAD) after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for Stanford type B aortic dissection and provide a reference for its prevention and management. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with Stanford type B aortic dissection who underwent TEVAR at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2017 to June 2023. The patients met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. The multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for RTAD, with a test level of α=0.05. ResultsA total of 176 patients were included, among whom 7 developed RTAD, with an occurrence rate of 3.98%. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the larger τ angle between the centerline of the aorta [OR (95%CI)=1.195 (1.032, 1.384)] and the degree of curvature of the aortic arch (the curve distance from the proximal brachiocephalic trunk to the distal left subclavian artery) [OR (95%CI)=0.756 (0.572, 0.999)], the higher probability of RTAD after TEVAR (P＜0.05). ConclusionsFrom the results of this study, it can be seen that for patients with Stanford B-type aortic dissection underwent TEVAR treatment, careful preoperative evaluation of morphological characteristics of the aortic arch (particularly the τ angle of the aorta centerline and the degree of curvature of the aortic arch (the curve distance from the proximal brachiocephalic trunk to the distal left subclavian artery) is crucial for reducing the occurrence of RTAD after TEVAR in patients with Stanford type B aortic dissection.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the involvement of renal artery in acute Stanford type A aortic dissection (TAAD) using CT angiography (CTA) and to analyze the difference of renal function among different types of renal artery involvement.MethodsFrom January 2016 to November 2017, 151 patients of acute TAAD with renal artery involvement were included in the study. There were 118 males and 33 females, with an average age of 47.93±10.53 years. All patients underwent aortic CTA to confirm the TAAD. According to CTA, involvement of one side of renal artery can be divided into four types: type A, large tear near renal artery orifice, difficult to distinguish true or false lumen; type B, the orifice of the renal artery originates entirely from the false lumen; type C, the orifice of the renal artery originates entirely from the true lumen; type D, renal artery dissection is observed, renal artery intima can be seen. The levels of serum creatinine (sCr) and creatinine clearance (CC) in all groups were analyzed and compared. ResultsThe results of one-way ANOVA analysis showed that there was no significant difference in sCr or CC among the groups (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in age, sex, proportion of hypertension history and onset time among the above groups (P>0.05).ConclusionThe three most common types of renal artery involvement were BC type, CC type, and AC type. The types of renal artery involvement do not affect renal function.
Objective To investigate activated toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) signaling pathway involved in pathophysiological mechanisms of type A aortic dissection (TAAD). Methods Specimens of full-thickness ascending aorta wall from the TAAD patients (n=12) and the controlled donors (n=12) were collected. Western blotting was used to examine the associated proteins' expression of TLR4 signaling pathway. Blood samples from TAAD (n=43) and controlled patients (n=50) were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect the circulating plasma cytokines levels of interleukin-1β (L-1β). Results In the aortic wall of TAAD, expression levels of TLR4 and protein expression of major molecule significantly elevated, and activated macrophages increased. Furthermore, elevated IL-1β levels were observed in the TAAD patients’ plasma compared with the control plasma. Multiple logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that elevated IL-1β could be a novel and promising biomarker with important diagnostic and predictive value in the identification of TAAD. Conclusion Activated TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway regulates inflammatory response to involve in pathophysiological mechanisms of type A aortic dissection and its regulated inflammatory products have important predictive value for patients with TAAD.
ObjectiveTo investigate the situation of off-label drug use in dose (OLDUD) of ambroxol hydrochloride injection (AHI) in perioperative period among patients for stanford type A aortic dissection in Guangdong General Hospital, so as to provide references for the rational application of AHI in clinical practice. MethodsAll medical orders of AHI for patients had aortic arch replacement for Stanford type A aortic dissection in Guangdong General Hospital between January 2005 and December 2014 were included. The patients were divided into a mild OLDUD ( < 450 mg) group, a moderate OLDUD (450 mg≤OLDUD < 900 mg) group, and a high OLDUD (≥900 mg)group. The preoperative and postoperative features, incidence of PPCs, mortality, incidence of reintubation, time of mechanical ventilation, time stay in ICU, time stay in hospital and the overall costs among three groups were compared by SPSS 22.0 software. Resultsa) A total of 549 patients were included. The incidence of OLDUD was 99.82%. The most common PMDDs were 450 mg (n=358) and 900 mg (n=88). b) The three groups were well matched for perioperative and operative variables. c) The incidence of preoperative drug use was 8.6%. The incidences (5.5% vs. 7.7% vs. 15.7%, P=0.022) and maximum doses (180 mg vs. 300 mg vs. 450 mg, P=0.014) of preoperative drug use were statistically different in mild OLDUD, moderate OLDUD and high OLDUD groups. The days of preoperative drug use were not different (3 d vs. 2.5 d vs. 2 d, P=0.307). The days of postoperative drug use (9.5 d vs. 13 d vs. 19 d, P < 0.001) and postoperative drug use in maximum doses (7 d vs. 8 d vs. 7 d, P=0.005) were different. d) The incidence of PPCs was 100%, and the mortality (8.2% vs. 6.6% vs. 9.0%, P=0.696) was not statistically different among mild OLDUD, moderate OLDUD and high OLDUD groups. However the incidence of reintubation (14.3% vs. 13.8% vs. 27%, P=0.009), time of mechanical ventilation (37 h vs. 50 h vs. 114 h, P < 0.001), time stay in ICU (138 h vs. 178.5 h vs. 316 h, P < 0.001), time stay in hospital (25 d vs. 27 d vs. 34 d, P=0.001) and the overall costs (¥ 0.17 million vs. ¥ 0.19 million vs. ¥ 0.25 million, P < 0.001) were different among three groups. Moreover, they were all increasing along with the dose of AHI. ConclusionAHI cannot improve the prognosis of patients having aortic arch replacement for Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection in a dose-dependent manner. Further well-designed prospective studies should be conducted to verification or falsification.
Objective To systematic evaluate the efficacy and safety of the endovascular aortic repair （endovascular stent placement） and open operation in treatment of acute Stanford type B aortic dissection. Methods The literatures about clinical controlled trials of endovascular aortic repair and open operation in treatment of acute Stanford type B aortic dissection that were included in CNKI， Wanfang data， VIP， Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials of the Cochrane Library， OVID， Pubmed Medline， EBSCO， EMBASE， Springer Link，Science Direct， and other databases from January 1991 to January 2013 were retrieved by computer. RevMan 5.1 software were used to analyze the clinical trial data. Results Eight trials （5 618 patients with acute Stanford type B aortic dissection） were included in the analysis.There was statistically significant difference of the 30 d mortality after operation between the endovascular repair group and the open operation group， which endovascular repair group was significantly better than the open operation group〔OR=0.55，95% CI （0.46-0.65）， P＜0.000 01〕. In addition， there were significant difference between the incidence of stroke 〔OR=0.57， 95% CI （0.39-0.84）， P=0.005〕， respiratory failure 〔OR=0.64， 95% CI （0.53-0.78）， P＜0.000 01〕， and cardiac complications 〔OR=0.49，95% CI （0.38-0.64），P＜0.000 01〕，which endovascular repair group was better than the open operation group. However，endovascular repair could not improve the postoperative outcomes of paraplegia〔OR=1.30，95% CI （0.82-2.05），P=0.26〕 and acute renal failure 〔OR=0.86，95% CI （0.41-1.80），P=0.69〕. Conclusion Endovascular repair for treatment acute Stanford type B aortic dissection is preferred method.
ObjectiveTo summarize clinical experience of different surgical strategies for the treatment of acute Stanford type A aortic dissection (AD). MethodsClinical data of 197 patients with acute Stanford type A AD who underwent surgical treatment in the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University from January 2008 to November 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 131 males and 66 females with their age of 24-77 (51.2±13.9) years. All the patients received magentic resonance imaging (MRI) or aortic CT angiography (CTA) for the establishment of diagnosis. According to different aortic root conditions,ascending aorta replacement,Bentall,Wheat,Cabrol or David procedures were performed. Total arch replacement, hemiarch replacement or simplified total arch replacement was also performed for aortic arch dissection combined with stented elephant trunk implantation. ResultsA total of 113 patients (57.4%) underwent isolated ascending aorta replacement,67 patients (34.0%) received Bentall procedure,13 patients (6.6%) received Wheat procedure,1 patient(0.5%) received Cabrol procedure,and 3 patients (1.5%) received David procedure. Eighty-two patients (41.6%) underwent total arch replacement combined with stented elephant trunk implantation,77 patients (39.1%) received hemiarch replacement, and the other 41 patients (20.8%) received simplified total arch replacement combined with stented elephant trunk implantation. One patient (0.5%) underwent reexploration for postoperative bleeding. No permanent neurological complication occurred. Thirty-day mortality after surgery was 4.1% (8/197). Follow-up duration was 3-52 (15.9±11.4) months with the follow-up rate of 65.0%. One patient with Marfan syndrome died of abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture 8 months after surgery. ConclusionAccording to different AD conditions, appropriate surgical strategies can be chosen to achieve satisfactory clinical outcomes for patients with acute Stanford type A AD.
Objective To summarize our diagnostic and treatment experience for patients with acute Stanford type A aortic dissection （AAAD） during pregnancy. Methods Clinical data of 3 AAAD gravida （age of 30，32，35） who received surgical treatment in Beijing Anzhen Hospital of Capital Medical University from May 2008 to July 2010 were retros-pectively analyzed. One gravida received Sun’s procedure （total arch replacement combined with stented elephant trunk implantation） 3 days after cesarean section，but the fetus died in the uterus. Another gravida successfully underwent Bentall procedure and Sun’s procedure immediately after cesarean section and hysterectomy. The third gravida received cesarean section with the uterus in situ followed by ascending aorta replacement and Sun’s procedure. Results All the 3 puerperasrecovered uneventfully，and the 2 newborns of the second and third puerperas also lived well. The 3 puerperas were followedup for 6 months after discharge. CT scan showed organized thrombus in the aortic false lumen. During follow-up，the 3 puerperas recovered well，and the 2 infants had normal growth and development. Conclusions Management principles of AAAD during pregnancy firstly include timely and accurate diagnosis，which is of prime importance. Secondly，gravidas’hemodynamics should maintain stable. Thirdly，intraoperative hemorrhage should be satisfactorily controlled. Lastly，multi-modality treatment is very important to improve the prognosis of both gravidas and fetuses.