To visualize and quantify the hemodynamics in the aortic arch in normal individuals, we used velocity distribution, retrograde flow, vortex formation, and mean energy loss (mEL) at different cardiac cycles in our study. We performed Vector flow mapping (VFM) analysis by using echocardiography in 87 healthy volunteers. The results showed that ① in different sections of the aortic arch, a skewed peak flow velocity (Vp) always appeared in the period of rapid ejection but in different distribution. The systolic flow in the entire aortic arch rose rapidly from near-zero at the point of iso-volumetric contraction to the peak velocity at the period of rapid ejection, and then decreased gradually; ② In the period of iso-volumetric relaxation, retrograde flow and vortex were observed in all subjects in the inner wall of the entire aortic arch; and ③ The change rule of mEL in the entire aortic arch was similar to that of flow velocity. VFM can provide insights into the intra-aortic arch flow patterns, and offer essential fundamentals about flow features associated with common aortic diseases.
ObjectiveTo compare the cerebral protective effect of unilateral and bilateral antegrade selective cerebral perfusion during total aortic arch replacement, particularly with respect to neuropsychological outcome.MethodsFrom June 2003 to March 2004, 16 patients who underwent total aortic arch replacement were randomly allocated to one of two methods of brain protection: unilateral antegrade selective cerebral perfusion (unilateral group, n =8) or bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion (bilateral group, n =8). Preoperative and postoperative neurological examination, brain computed tomography(CT) scan, and cognitive function tests were performed.ResultsAll patients survived the operations and were discharged from hospital. No new brain infarction occurred. Transient neurologic dysfunction occurred in 1 patient of each group. There were no intergroup differences in the scores of preoperative and post operative cognitive function ( P gt;0.05).ConclusionBoth methods of brain protection for patients undergoing total aortic arch replacement result in favorable and similar effect of brain protection in term of cognitive function provided the circle of Willis is patent and collateral flow is adequate.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of patch aortoplasty and extended side-to-end anastomosis for the treatment of coarctation of the aorta (CoA) and hypoplastic aortic arch, and provide a more reasonable surgical choice. MethodsClinical data of 45 patients who underwent surgical correction for CoA and hypoplastic aortic arch in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from June 2008 to June 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. According to different surgical strategies for aortic arch hypoplasia, all the 45 patients were divided into 2 groups. In group I, there were 26 patients including 15 males and 11 females with their age of 0.5-6.8 (0.9±2.5) years and body weight of 5.0-20.3 (9.5±7.3) kg, who received patch aortoplasty and whose preoperative pressure gradient between right upper and lower limbs was 38.3±15.6 mm Hg. In groupⅡ, there were 19 patients including 14 males and 5 females with their age of 0.6-7.5 (1.0±2.7) years and body weight of 5.5-21.5 (10.2±6.6) kg, who received extended side-to-end anastomosis and whose preoperative pressure gradient between right upper and lower limbs was 40.7±16.1 mm Hg. Postoperative changes of pressure gradient between right upper and lower limbs of the 2 groups were examined and compared with preoperative values. ResultsTwo patients died postoperatively (4.4%) including 1 patient with low cardiac output syndrome and the other patient with severe lung infection. None of the patients in either group had renal failure or neurological complications. Postoperatively, there were 28 patients whose systolic blood pressure (SBP) of lower extremities was 10-20 mm Hg higher than that of upper extremities, 13 patients whose SBP gradient between upper and limbs was less than 10 mm Hg, and 4 patients whose upper limb SBP was 20 mm Hg higher than lower limb SBP. Postoperative average pressure gradient of right upper and lower extremities was 3.2±13.5 mm Hg and significantly lower than preoperative value (P < 0.05). Postoperative pressure gradient of upper and lower extremities was significantly lower than preoperative value in both groups (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in preoperative and postoperative changes of pressure gradient of upper and lower extremities between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). Thirty-eighty patients (88.4%) were followed up from 3 months to 5 years. During follow-up, there was 1 patient whose blood flow velocity of the descending aorta was increasingly accelerated. Pressure gradient across the aortic arch was larger than 40 mm Hg. Computer tomography showed aortic arch restenosis. This patient received reoperation 8 months after the first discharge. Three patients whose aortic pressure gradient was larger than 20 mm Hg were still followed up. Aortic arch pressure gradient was less than 20 mm Hg in all the other patients. ConclusionBoth patch aortoplasty and extended sideto-end anastomosis are ideal surgical methods for the treatment of CoA and hypoplastic aortic arch. Appropriate surgical method should be chosen according to individual conditions of pediatric patients.
Objective To study surgical indication, technique for treating acute Stanford type A aortic dissection involving repair of the aortic arch using Sun’s procedure with preservation of autologous brachiocephalic artery. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 28 consecutive patients (23 males, 5 females) who underwent operations on acute Stanford type A aortic dissection using Sun’s procedure with preservation of autologous brachiocephalic artery in our hospital between August 2011 and October 2013. The mean age was 29-62 (47±8) years. There were 26 patients with hypertension and 2 patients with Mafan syndrome. Sun’s procedure with preservation of autologous brachiocephalic artery was performed in all patients, concomitant procedure included aortic root replacement (Bentall) in 4 patients, aortic root replacement (Bentall) and mitral valve replacement (MVR) in 1 patient, aortic valsalva sinus plasty in 6 patients. Results The cardiopulmonary bypass time was 167±37 min. The cross clamp time was 80±22 min. Selective cerebral perfusion time was 29±5 min. One patient died postoperatively from acute hepatic failure. Two patients suffered from transient neurologic deficit and recovered after treatment during follow-up. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) of aorta was performed in each patient before discharged from the hospital. The patency of the anastomotic site at brachiocephalic artery was identified. Descending aortic true lumen was significantly expanded. There was only 2 patients with endoleak and total thrombosis of false lumen was found near stent graft with 25 patients. The 27 patients were followed up for 47 (36-62) months. One patient with descending thoracic aortic dilatation underwent thoracoabdoninal aortic replacement. One combined with acute endometrial tear underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair. Conclusion Sun’s procedure with preservation of autologous brachiocephalic artery is safe and effective in the treatment of acute Stanford type A dissection in patients without brachiocephalic artery involved. Low mortality and complication rate are achieved, but the long-term results need the further follow-up.
Objective To investigate diagnostic and treatment strategies of patients with congenital heart diseases and right aortic arch. Methods Clinical data of 27 children who underwent surgical correction for congenital heartdiseases and right aortic arch in Children’s Heart Center of Beijing Children’s Hospital from January 1，2012 to April 1，2013 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 20 male and 7 female patients with their age of 10.96±12.08 months and body weight of 7.70±3.13 kg. All the patients had right aortic arch，including 14 children with tetralogy of Fallot，9 childrenwith ventricular septal defect，1 child with patent ductus arteriosus，1 child with pulmonary artery sling and 2 children with isolated double aortic arch. Thirteen children were found to have a vascular ring including aberrant left subclavian artery and double aortic arch. All the patients received surgical correction for their intracardiac anomalies and concomitant transposition of the left subclavian artery for aberrant left subclavian artery or division of the nondominal arch for double aortic arch. Results Three children died perioperatively including 1 child who was unable to be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass，1 child without vascular ring who died 7 days postoperatively，and 1 child with double aortic arch who died of acuterespiratory distress syndrome. There was another child who gave up further postoperative treatment. Twenty-three children were followed up for 3-17 months after discharge. Echocardiography showed satisfactory correction of their intracardiac anomalies. All the patients alive recovered well with good pulses in arteries of both arms. Conclusion Careful strategiesare needed for surgical correction of patients with congenital heart diseases and concomitant right aortic arch. Comprehensivepreoperative evaluation including contrast-enhanced CT and magnetic resonance imaging is helpful for clinical decision making in diagnosis and treatment. Clinical outcomes of 1-stage surgical correction of vascular ring and other concomitant intracardiac anomalies are satisfactory with good short-term results.
ObjectiveTo summarize clinical experience of total aortic arch reconstruction with triple-branched stent graft placement in elderly patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection (SAAD). MethodsFrom December 2008 to December 2012, 46 elderly SAAD patients underwent total aortic arch reconstruction with triple-branched stent graft placement under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and selective cerebral perfusion (SCP)in Department of Cardiova-scular Surgery, Henan Provincial Chest Hospital. There were 37 male and 9 female patients with their age of 65-75 (68.2±5.0)years. There were 6 patients undergoing modified David procedure, 1 patient undergoing Bentall procedure, 2 patients undergoing Wheat procedure, and 37 patients undergoing ascending aortic replacement. ResultsThere was no in-hos-pital death. Cardiopulmonary bypass time was 135-183 (131.1±10.5)minutes, aortic cross-clamping time was 81-100 (61.5±18.3)minutes, and SCP time was 19-28 (24.4±5.6)minutes. Postoperative complications included low cardiac output syndrome in 3 patients, acute renal failure in 2 patients, pleural effusion in 5 patients, lung infection in 2 patients, and sternal dehiscence in 1 patient, who were all cured after treatment. All the patients were followed up for 3 to 12 months without complication related to the stent graft. ConclusionTotal aortic arch reconstruction with triple-branched stent graft placement is an easy surgical procedure for SAAD with a high successful rate and low morbidity, and especially suitable for elderly patients who can't bear traditional operation.
Objective To review the clinical experience of one-stage repair of interrupted aortic arch(IAA) in neonate with cardiac anomalies. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 21 patients (18 males, 3 females) with IAA total repair in our hospital between May 2003 and September 2014. The average age of patients was 6–26 (15.9±5.8) days and the mean body weight was 3.3±0.4 kg. Fourteen patients belonged to IAA type A, and 7 patients to type B. All patients were complicated with ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, and patent ductus artefious. All patients with cardiac anomalies underwent one-stage repair through median sternotomy. The aortic continuity was reestablished by anastomosis between the descending aortic segment and aortic arch. Results CPB time was 92–174 (132.6±27.1) min, and aortic cross clamping time was 48-118 (70.9±18.8) min. Hospital day was 4-52 (28.0±12.1) d. There were 3 postoperative deaths. Causes of death included a cardiac arrest in one patient, hematosepsis in one patient, and a pulmonary hypertension crisis in one patient. Eighteen patients were followed up for 3 months to 11 years and the results were excellent. Conclusion One-stage repair of IAA in neonate with cardiac anomalies can improve life quality of patients and achieve good results.
Objective To retrospectively review our experience of correction of type Ⅰa endoleak after thoracic endovascular aortic repair(TEVAR). Methods From August 2009 to May 2016, 29 patients with type Ⅰa endoleak after TEVAR (25 males, 4 females at mean age of 56±10 years (range, 41–86 years) underwent treatment: open surgery in 15 patients (an open surgery group), hybrid aortic arch repair in 6 patients (a hybrid group) and cuff extension in 8 patients(a cuff group). A history of hypertension was noted in 25 patients, diabetes mellitus in 3 patients, coronary artery disease in 3 patients, lung infection in one patient, aortic root aneurysm in one patient and aberrant right subclavian artery in one patient. Results In the open surgery group, no death was observed. Continuous renal replacement therapy and re-intubation was done in one patient and drainage of pericardial effusion in one patient. No death was noted in the hybrid group and persistent type Ⅰa endoleak in one patient. In the cuff group, thrombosis of the left common artery was noted in one patient and bypass of the left axillary artery to the left axillary artery and the left common carotid artery was done. Unfortunately, he died of cerebral infarction and total in-hospital death rate was 3.4% (1/29). Bypass of the left axillary artery to the left axillary artery was done in one patient with left upper limb ischemia. There were 4 (14.2%) deaths during follow-up: 3 deaths in the open surgical group and one death in the cuff group. Endoleak was observed in one patient in the hybrid group and one in the cuff group. Conclusion The corresponding procedure, including open surgery, hybrid aortic arch repair or cuff extension, is scheduled to be done according to the characteristics of type Ⅰa endoleak. Satisfactory outcomes are achieved in patients with typeⅠa endoleak.
ObjectiveTo investigate the best anatomical classification, surgical timing, procedure and clinical outcomes of congenital vascular ring.MethodsThe clinical data of 58 patients who underwent congenital vascular ring surgery in Pediatric Surgery Center, Fuwai Hospital between 2014 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 32 (55.2%) males and 26 (44.8%) females with a median age of 16.5 (2-73) months. Preoperative symptoms, imaging examinations, anatomical classifications, surgical procedures and postoperative recovery were assessed.ResultsThere were 20 (34.5%) patients of double aortic arch, 22 (37.9%) patients of right aortic arch with left arterial duct or ligament, 15 (25.9%) patients of left aortic arch with aberrant right subclavian artery, and 1 (1.7%) patient of circumflex aorta with cervical aorta arch. The median ventilator supporting time was 6.0 (0-648) h, and the median hospital stay time was 14.5 (7-104) d. One patient with coarctation of aorta died of severe pulmonary infection during perioperative period, and the others survived without symptoms and reoperation after discharge. The median follow-up time was 7.0 (1-62) months.ConclusionFor children with unexplained dyspnea and dysphagia, or with right aortic arch, preoperative imaging examinations such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging are required to confirm the diagnosis of vascular ring. Surgical correction of congenital vascular ring is safe and reliable, and can effectively relieve symptoms. The mortality rate and reoperation rate are low, and the follow-up results are satisfactory.
Myocardial and cerebral protection are always the major concerns in neonatal aortic arch surgery. From the application of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest technology to continuous cardio-cerebral perfusion strategy adopted in many cardiac centers recently, each perfusion method has its own pros and cons, so there is no consensus on which one is the most suitable. This review aims to summarize the development and research progress of various perfusion methods, so that to provide a foundation for further development.