Thoracoabdominal Aneurysm Repair: A 20-Year Perspective

Elective open suprarenal aneurysm repair in England from 2000 to 2010 an observational study of hospital episode statistics

BACKGROUND

Open surgery is widely used as a benchmark for the results of fenestrated endovascular repair of complex abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). However, the existing evidence stems from single-centre experiences, and may not be reproducible in wider practice. National outcomes provide valuable information regarding the safety of suprarenal aneurysm repair.

METHODS

Demographic and clinical data were extracted from English Hospital Episodes Statistics for patients undergoing elective suprarenal aneurysm repair from 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2010. Thirty-day mortality and five-year survival were analysed by logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards modeling.

RESULTS

793 patients underwent surgery with 14% overall 30-day mortality, which did not improve over the study period. Independent predictors of 30-day mortality included age, renal disease and previous myocardial infarction. 5-year survival was independently reduced by age, renal disease, liver disease, chronic pulmonary disease, and known metastatic solid tumour. There was significant regional variation in both 30-day mortality and 5-year survival after risk-adjustment. Regional differences in outcome were eliminated in a sensitivity analysis for perioperative outcome, conducted by restricting analysis to survivors of the first 30 days after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Elective suprarenal aneurysm repair was associated with considerable mortality and significant regional variation across England. These data provide a benchmark to assess the efficacy of complex endovascular repair of supra-renal aneurysms, though cautious interpretation is required due to the lack of information regarding aneurysm morphology. More detailed study is required, ideally through the mandatory submission of data to a national registry of suprarenal aneurysm repair.

Treatment of acute visceral aortic pathology with fenestrated/branched endovascular repair in high-surgical-risk patients

OBJECTIVE

The safety and feasibility of fenestrated/branched endovascular repair of acute visceral aortic disease in high-risk patients is unknown. The purpose of this report is to describe our experience with surgeon-modified endovascular aneurysm repair (sm-EVAR) for the urgent or emergent treatment of pathology involving the branched segment of the aorta in patients deemed to have prohibitively high medical and/or anatomic risk for open repair.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed on all patients treated with sm-EVAR for acute indications. Planning was based on three-dimensional computed tomographic angiogram reconstructions and graft configurations included various combinations of branch, fenestration, or scallop modifications.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients (mean age [± standard deviation], 68 ± 10 years; 88% male) deemed high risk for open repair underwent urgent or emergent repair using sm-EVAR. Indications included degenerative suprarenal or thoracoabdominal aneurysm (six), presumed or known mycotic aneurysm (four), anastomotic pseudoaneurysm (three), false lumen rupture of type B dissection (two), and penetrating aortic ulceration (one). Nine (56%) had previous aortic surgery and all patients were either American Society of Anesthesiologists class IV (n = 9) or IV-E (n = 7). A total of 40 visceral vessels (celiac, 10; superior mesenteric artery, 10; right renal artery, 10; left renal artery, 10) were revascularized with a combination of fenestrations (33), directional graft branches (six), and graft scallops (one). Technical success was 94% (n = 15/16), with one open conversion. Median contrast use was 126 mL (range, 41-245) and fluoroscopy time was 70 minutes (range, 18-200). Endoleaks were identified intraoperatively in four patients (type II, n = 3; type IV, n = 1), but none have required remediation. Mean length of stay was 12 ± 15 days (median, 5.5; range, 3-59). Single complications occurred in five (31%) patients as follows: brachial sheath hematoma (one), stroke (one), ileus (one), respiratory failure (one), and renal failure (one). An additional patient experienced multiple complications including spinal cord ischemia (one) and multiorgan failure resulting in death (n = 1; in-hospital mortality, 6.3%). The majority of patients were discharged to home (63%; n = 10) or short-term rehabilitation units (25%; n = 4), while one patient required admission to a long-term acute care setting. There were no reinterventions at a median follow-up of 6.2 (range, 1-16.1) months. Postoperative computed tomographic angiogram was available for all patients and demonstrated 100% branch vessel patency, with one type III endoleak pending intervention. There were two late deaths at 1.4 and 13.4 months due to nonaortic-related pathology.

CONCLUSIONS

Urgent or emergent treatment of acute pathology involving the visceral aortic segment with fenestrated/branched endograft repair is feasible and safe in selected high-risk patients; however, the durability of these repairs is yet to be determined.

Hybrid procedures for thoracoabdominal aortic pathologies

We report our three-year experience with the visceral hybrid procedure for patients with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms, dissections and Takayasu's arteritis. We also evaluate and discuss the outcomes of hybrid procedures. Hybrid procedures include debranching of the visceral or renal arteries followed by endovascular repair of the disease. The surgical strategy was designed individually to reduce trauma and minimize stent coverage area. A series of 11 patients (9 men, mean age 52 years) were treated between June 2008 and September 2011. The pathologies were aneurysmal disease (thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms) (5, 45.5%), aortic dissection (thoracoabdominal aortic dissection) (4, 36.4%) or true/false aneurysm formation after Takayasu's arteritis (2, 18.2%). Simultaneous approach (9, 81.8%) and staged approach (2, 18.2%) were performed. The mean follow-up was 13.5 months (range 1–36). The technical success was 100%. Stent grafts were implanted in the entire or part of the thoracoabdominal aorta. The overall mortality rate was 9.1% (1/11) with no aneurysm-related death. The permanent paraplegia and bypass graft occlusion rate was 0%. The overall morbidity was 36.4% with two endoleaks (2/11, 18.2%). In conclusion, hybrid procedures can minimize surgical invasiveness in treatments of thoracoabdominal aortic pathologies, and it is a safe method with acceptable morbidity and mortality.

Open repair of intact thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program

OBJECTIVE

Open surgical repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) is uncommon. Mortality rates of 20% are reported in studies using national data and are 5% to 8% in single-institution studies. Clinical trials are currently evaluating branched and fenestrated endografts. The purpose of this study is to establish a benchmark for future comparisons with endovascular trials using open repair of TAAAs in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database.

METHODS

We identified all patients undergoing open elective and emergency surgical repair of intact TAAAs in NSQIP (2005 to 2010) using Current Procedural Terminology (American Medical Association, Chicago, Ill) and International Classification of Diseases, 9th Edition codes. We analyzed demographics, comorbidities, 30-day mortality, postoperative complications, and length of stay. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of mortality.

RESULTS

We identified 450 patients who underwent open surgical repair (418 elective, 32 emergent) of an intact TAAA. Mean age was 69.4 years, 60.7% were male, and 85.6% were white. Comorbidities included hypertension (87.1%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (27.3%), prior stroke or transient ischemic attack (16.7%), diabetes (11.6%), and peripheral vascular disease (9.6%). Thirty-day mortality was 10.0%. Pulmonary complications were the most common: failure to wean from ventilator (39.1%), pneumonia (23.1%), and reintubation (13.8%). Acute renal failure requiring dialysis occurred in 10.7% of patients. Multivariable analysis (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]) showed predictors of mortality were emergent repair (3.3 [1.03-10.83]; P = .04), age >70 years (3.5 [1.03-7.56], P = .001), preoperative dialysis (8.4 [1.90-37.29], P = .005), cardiac complication (2.9 [1.05-8.21], P = .04), and renal complications (8.4 [3.41-20.56], P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study of NSQIP hospitals, the first to analyze open surgical repair of TAAAs, the 30-day mortality rate of 10.0% is similar to single-institution reports. However, morbidity and mortality after open TAAA repair remain high, confirming the need for less invasive procedures.

[Anesthesia in the surgical repair of thoracoabdominal aneurysms: 17 years experience]

OBJECTIVE

To review the results after thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms repair performed by the same team of surgeons and anesthesiologists over a 17 year period.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A prospective and observational study carried out on 65 patients (97% male) who were operated on from 1995 until July 2011 for thoracoabdominal aneurysm, Crawford type i 5 (7.6%), ii 22 (33.8%), iii 17 (26.11%) and iv 21 (32.31%).

RESULTS

The 30-day mortality was 9.2% (6/65 patients), which was the same as the incidence of paraplegia. This complication only occurred in the Crawford types ii and iii aneurysms. Paraplegia was present in 4.5% (1/22) of patients in whom "left bypass" was used, compared with 29% (5/17) in which the intervention was performed by cross-clamping without distal aortic perfusion (P=.068). The most frequent complication was respiratory, with prolonged mechanical ventilation (>48h) in 20% (13 patients) of cases. The mean hospital stay was 28 days (7-92).

DISCUSSION

The average mortality in referral centers is 9.7%, ranging between 5% and 16%. In other centres the mortality at 30 days is between 19% and 31% per year. Our group had a 9.2% of mortality rate at 30 days. The incidence of paraplegia in hospitals with greater experience ranges between 2.7% and 16%. Nowadays, an incidence of less than 10% is accepted as good. We had 9.2%. The use of CSF drainage in these patients, as well as the use of left bypass and moderate hypothermia in the Crawford types i, ii and iii appear to be acceptable for prophylaxis of paraplegia.

Using risk models to improve patient selection for high-risk vascular surgery

Vascular surgeons frequently perform procedures aimed at limiting death, stroke, or amputation on patients who present with diseases such as aortic aneurysms, carotid atherosclerosis, and peripheral arterial occlusive disease. However, now more than ever surgeons must balance the potential benefits associated with these interventions with the risks of physiologic insult for these elderly patients, who often have significant comorbidity burdens and the potential for costly complications. In this paper, we highlight how regional and national datasets can help surgeons identify which patients are most likely to benefit from vascular operations and which patients are most likely to suffer complications in the postoperative period. By using these guidelines to improve patient selection, our risk models can help patients, physicians, and policymakers improve the clinical effectiveness of surgical and endovascular treatments for vascular disease.

Erythropoietin attenuates the sequels of ischaemic spinal cord injury with enhanced recruitment of CD34+ cells in mice

Erythropoietin has been shown to promote tissue regeneration after ischaemic injury in various organs. Here, we investigated whether Erythropoietin could ameliorate ischaemic spinal cord injury in the mouse and sought an underlying mechanism. Spinal cord ischaemia was developed by cross-clamping the descending thoracic aorta for 7 or 9 min. in mice. Erythropoietin (5000 IU/kg) or saline was administrated 30 min. before aortic cross-clamping. Neurological function was assessed using the paralysis score for 7 days after the operation. Spinal cords were histologically evaluated 2 and 7 days after the operation. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect CD34(+) cells and the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and vascular endothelial growth factor. Each mouse exhibited either mildly impaired function or complete paralysis at day 2. Erythropoietin-treated mice with complete paralysis demonstrated significant improvement of neurological function between day 2 and 7, compared to saline-treated mice with complete paralysis. Motor neurons in erythropoietin-treated mice were more preserved at day 7 than those in saline-treated mice with complete paralysis. CD34(+) cells in the lumbar spinal cord of erythropoietin-treated mice were more abundant at day 2 than those of saline-treated mice. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and vascular endothelial growth factor were markedly expressed in lumbar spinal cords in erythropoietin-treated mice at day 7. Erythropoietin demonstrated neuroprotective effects in the ischaemic spinal cord, improving neurological function and attenuating motor neuron loss. These effects may have been mediated by recruited CD34(+) cells, and enhanced expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and vascular endothelial growth factor.

Results of thoracic endovascular aortic repair 6 years after United States Food and Drug Administration approval

BACKGROUND

Since United States Food and Drug Administration approval in 2005, the short-term safety and efficacy of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) have been established. However, longer-term follow-up data remain lacking. The objective of this study is to report 6-year outcomes of TEVAR in clinical practice.

METHODS

A prospective cohort review was performed of all patients undergoing TEVAR at a single referral institution between March 2005 and May 2011. Rates of reintervention were noted. Overall and aortic-specific survival were determined using Kaplan-Meier methods. Log-rank tests were used to compare survival between groups.

RESULTS

During the study interval, 332 TEVAR procedures were performed in 297 patients. Reintervention was required after 12% of procedures at a mean of 8 ± 14 months after initial TEVAR and was higher in the initial tercile of patients (15.0% vs 9.9%). The 6-year freedom from reintervention was 84%. Type I endoleak was the most common cause of reintervention (5%). Six-year overall survival was 54%, and aorta-specific survival was 92%. Long-term survival was significantly lower than that of an age- and sex-matched United States population (p < 0.001). Survival was similar between patients requiring a reintervention vs those not (p = 0.26). Survival was different based on indication for TEVAR (p = 0.007), and patients with degenerative aneurysms had the lowest survival (47% at 6 years). Cardiopulmonary pathologies were the most common cause of death (27 of 93 total deaths).

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term aortic-related survival after TEVAR is high, and the need for reintervention is infrequent. However, overall long-term survival is low, particularly for patients with degenerative aneurysms, and additional work is needed to identify patients unlikely to derive a survival benefit from TEVAR.

[Transient delayed paraplegia after repair of thoracic and thoracoabdominal aneurysms]

Thoracoabdominal aneurysm requires multidisciplinary management due to its complexity both in surgical technique and anesthetic considerations. One of the most feared postoperative complication is spinal cord ischemia. It can be presented as different clinical patterns, and its recovery may be partial or complete. The postoperative management of spinal cord ischemia is mainly based on techniques to increase spinal cord perfusion, above all, hemodynamic stability and cerebrospinal fluid drainage. We present two cases of delayed paraplegia after an open repair of a thoracoabdominal aneurysm and a descending thoracic aortic aneurysm repair using an endovascular stent graft. They both had a complete neurological recovery after cerebrospinal fluid drainage.

Role of induced hypothermia in thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm surgery

For more than 50 years, hypothermia has been used in aortic surgery as a tool for neuroprotection. Hypothermia has been introduced into thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) surgery by many cardiovascular centers to protect the body's organs, including the spinal cord. Numerous publications have shown that hypothermia can prevent immediate and delayed motor dysfunction after aortic cross-clamping. Here, we reviewed the historical application of hypothermia in aortic surgery, role of hypothermia in preclinical studies, cellular and molecular mechanisms by which hypothermia confers neuroprotection, and the role of systemic and regional hypothermia in clinical protocols to reduce and/or eliminate the devastating consequences of ischemic spinal cord injury after TAAA repair.

Imaging of thoracic aortic disease

Aortic pathology can be more complex to understand on imaging than is initially appreciated. There are a number of imaging modalities that provide excellent assessment of aortic pathology and enable the accurate monitoring of disease. This review discusses the imaging of the most common disease processes that affect the aorta in adults, with the primary focus being on CT and MRI.

Staged hybrid approach using proximal thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair and distal open repair for the treatment of extensive thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms

OBJECTIVE

Repair of patients with extent I and II thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, whereas repair of more distal extent III and IV TAAAs has a lower risk of paraplegia and death. Therefore, we describe an approach using thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) as the index operation to convert extent I and II TAAAs to extent III and IV TAAAs amenable to subsequent open aortic repair to minimize patient risk.

METHODS

Between July 2007 and March 2012, 10 staged hybrid operations were performed to treat one extent I and nine extent II TAAAs. Aortic aneurysm pathology included five chronic type B dissections, three acute type B dissections, and two penetrating aortic ulcers. Initially, the proximal descending thoracic aorta was repaired with TEVAR for coverage of the most proximal fenestration or penetrating ulcer, with seven elective and three emergent repairs. Interval open distal aortic replacement was performed in a short-term planned setting or for progressive dilation of the distal aortic segment. In the open repair, the proximal end of the graft was sewn directly to the distal end of the TEVAR and outer wall of the aorta.

RESULTS

Average patient age was 48 years, and 60% were men. Risk factors included hypertension (80%), current tobacco use (50%), and Marfan syndrome (30%). Complications after TEVAR included type IA (n=1) and type II (n=3) endoleaks, pleural effusions (n=3), and acute kidney injury (n=1). Three patients required endovascular reinterventions. In patients with dissection, persistent filling of the false lumen was common and associated with distal thoracic aortic dilation. Complications of open repair included acute kidney injury in two patients, but no cardiac, pulmonary, or neurologic morbidity. Median time between TEVAR and open repair was 14 weeks. Most importantly, no deaths or neurologic deficits occurred after either procedure during a median follow-up of 35 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

A staged hybrid approach to extensive TAAAs combining proximal TEVAR, followed by interval open distal TAAA repair, is safe and appears to be an effective alternative to traditional open repair. This approach may decrease the significant morbidity associated with single-stage open extent I and II TAAA repairs and may be applicable to multiple TAAA etiologies.

Translational barriers and opportunities for emergency preservation and resuscitation in severe injuries

BACKGROUND

Hypothermia is commonly used for organ and tissue preservation in multiple clinical settings, but its role in the management of injured patients remains controversial. There is no doubt that temperature modulation is a powerful tool, and hypothermia has been shown to protect cells during ischaemia and reperfusion, decrease organ damage and improve survival. Yet hypothermia is a double-edged sword: unless carefully managed, its induction can be associated with a number of complications.

METHODS

A literature review was performed to include important papers that address the impact of hypothermia on key biological processes, and explore the potential therapeutic role of hypothermia in trauma/haemorrhage models.

RESULTS

No clinical studies have been conducted to test the therapeutic benefits of hypothermia in injured patients. However, numerous well designed animal studies support this concept. Despite excellent preclinical data, there are several potential barriers to translating hypothermia into clinical practice.

CONCLUSION

Therapeutic hypothermia is a promising life-saving strategy. Appropriate patient selection requires a thorough understanding of how temperature modulation affects various biological mechanisms.

Survival after open versus endovascular thoracic aortic aneurysm repair in an observational study of the Medicare population

BACKGROUND

The goal of this study was to describe short- and long-term survival of patients with descending thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) after open and endovascular repair (TEVAR).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using Medicare claims from 1998 to 2007, we analyzed patients who underwent repair of intact and ruptured TAA, identified from a combination of procedural and diagnostic International Classification of Disease, ninth revision, codes. Our main outcome measure was mortality, defined as perioperative mortality (death occurring before hospital discharge or within 30 days), and 5-year survival, from life-table analysis. We examined outcomes across repair type (open repair or TEVAR) in crude, adjusted (for age, sex, race, procedure year, and Charlson comorbidity score), and propensity-matched cohorts. Overall, we studied 12 573 Medicare patients who underwent open repair and 2732 patients who underwent TEVAR. Perioperative mortality was lower in patients undergoing TEVAR compared with open repair for both intact (6.1% versus 7.1%; P=0.07) and ruptured (28% versus 46%; P<0.0001) TAA. However, patients with intact TAA selected for TEVAR had significantly worse survival than open patients at 1 year (87% for open, 82% for TEVAR; P=0.001) and 5 years (72% for open; 62% for TEVAR; P=0.001). Furthermore, in adjusted and propensity-matched cohorts, patients selected for TEVAR had worse 5-year survival than patients selected for open repair.

CONCLUSIONS

Although perioperative mortality is lower with TEVAR, Medicare patients selected for TEVAR have worse long-term survival than patients selected for open repair. The results of this observational study suggest that higher-risk patients are being offered TEVAR and that some do not benefit on the basis of long-term survival. Future work is needed to identify TEVAR candidates unlikely to benefit from repair.

Hybrid Open Endovascular Technique for Aortic Thoracoabdominal Pathologies

Background—

Many authors using a hybrid debranching strategy for the treatment of thoracoabdominal pathologies have reported disappointing results and the initial enthusiasm for the technique has given way to criticism and ambiguity. The aim of the present meta-analysis study was to assess the safety and efficacy of the technique in patients with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms or other aortic pathologies.

Methods and Results—

A multiple electronic search was performed on all articles describing hybrid open endovascular repair. Separate meta-analyses were conducted for technical success, visceral graft patency, spinal cord ischemia symptoms, renal insufficiency, and other complications as well as 30-day/in-hospital mortality.

Nineteen publications with a total of 507 patients were analyzed. The pooled estimates for primary technical success and visceral graft patency were 96.2% (95% CI, 93.5%–98.2%) and 96.5% (95% CI, 95.2%–97.8%) respectively. A pooled rate of 7.5% (95% CI, 5.0%–11.0%) for overall spinal cord ischemia symptoms was observed; whereas for irreversible paraplegia the pooled rate was 4.5% (95% CI, 2.5%–7.0%). The pooled estimate for renal failure was 8.8% (95% CI, 3.9%–15.5%). The pooled 30-day/in-hospital mortality rate was 12.8% (95% CI, 8.6%–17.0%). During the mean follow-up period of 34.5 (95% CI, 31.5–37.5) months, a total of 119 endoleaks were identified in 111 patients (22.7%).

Conclusions—

The repair of thoracoabdominal pathologies by means of hybrid procedures in patients who are poor surgical candidates is still associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. Future studies may substantiate whether the technique is amenable to amelioration and improvement.

Body cooling ameliorating spinal cord injury may be neurogenesis-, anti-inflammation- and angiogenesis-associated in rats

BACKGROUND

Body cooling (BC) or mild hypothermia therapy (about 33°C) is reportedly effective for spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of BC remain unclear, so does BC ameliorating SCI via promoting neurogenesis, anti-inflammation, and angiogenesis.

METHODS

The standard rat compression SCI model was tested hypothetically in two groups: one receiving BC (33°C) and the other, normothermia (37°C). Afterward, the effects of BC therapy on the hind limb locomotion, spinal cord infarction and apoptosis, angiogenesis, neurogenesis, and inflammation in these two groups of SCI were assessed. The other group of sham SCI was used as controls.

RESULTS

Apoptosis (evidenced by higher numbers of terminal deoxynucleotidyl- transferase-mediated and duDP-biotin nick end-labeling-positive cells), infarct, activated inflammation (evidenced by higher levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and myeloperoxidase), and hind limb locomotor dysfunction were inspected in the untreated (37°C) SCI rats 4 days after SCI. When compared with those of untreated SCI rats, SCI rats receiving BC (33°C) displayed lower levels of apoptosis, infarct volume, activated inflammation, and hind limb locomotor dysfunction. In addition, that BC promoted both angiogenesis (evidenced by increased numbers of both vascular endothelial growth factors and bromodeoxyuridine-positive endothelial cells) and neurogenesis (evidenced by increased numbers of both glial cell line-derived neurotrophic growth factors and bromodeoxyuridine-neuronal-specific nuclear protein double positive cells) in the injured spinal cord was evaluated 4 days after SCI.

CONCLUSION

BC (33°C) improved SCI outcomes by promoting angiogenesis, neurogenesis, and anti-inflammation in a rat SCI model.

Hybrid one-stage approach to extensive atherosclerotic aneurysm of thoracoabdominal aorta

We report a 62-year-old man with an atherosclerotic Crawford type II aneurysm involving both common iliac arteries who underwent surgical revascularization of the visceral vessels and renal arteries from the ascending aorta and subsequent endovascular aneurysmal exclusion. Computed tomography imaging at 2 years showed complete exclusion of the aneurysm throughout the thoracoabdominal aorta, confirming the successful antegrade revascularization of visceral vessels and renal arteries. A hybrid approach to thoracoabdominal aneurysms using antegrade visceral and renal revascularization from the ascending aorta before endovascular repair is technically feasible and might constitute an attractive alternative to conventional surgical treatment.

Continued favorable results with open surgical repair of type IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms

OBJECTIVES

Type IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair, despite low risk of spinal cord ischemia (SCI), is reported to have significant morbidity and mortality. This has led some to apply adjuncts (eg, extracorporeal circulation) used in more extensive TAAA repair or to consider alternative approaches, such as hybrid operations. We have used a consistent, simplified surgical approach to type IV TAAA, and the goal of the present study is to review experience over 2 decades with such treatment and to identify correlates of surgical morbidity.

METHODS

All type IV repairs at Massachusetts General Hospital from January 1989 through September 2009 were evaluated for clinical features, technical operative details, and 30-day outcomes. Logistic regression identified predictors of morbidity. Survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 179 patients underwent type IV repair, with elective repair in 156 (87%) and urgent in 23 (13%). The clamp-and-sew technique was used for all operations, with routine hypothermic renal perfusion. Clinical features were age 73 ± 8 years, coronary artery disease in 89 (50%), and creatinine level >1.8 mg/dL defining chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) in 32 (18%). Operative reconstruction in 166 (93%) consisted of one beveled proximal anastomosis incorporating the descending thoracic aorta, celiac, superior mesenteric artery, and right renal arteries origins (mean visceral clamp time, 36 ± 12 minutes) and a side-arm graft to the left renal artery. Technical details included previous abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair in 52 (29%), operative time of 290 ± 90 min, estimated blood loss of 2.7 ± 1.4 L, and splenectomy in 57 (32%). The 30-day outcomes were death in 5 (2.8%), myocardial infarction in 6 (3.4%), hemodialysis in 5 (2.8%), and any degree of SCI in 4 (2.2%). Regression analysis identified a history of CRI as an independent predictor of postoperative complication or death (odds ratio, 3.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-8). Survival rates at 1, 5, and 10 years were 89% ± 2%, 62% ± 4%, and 36% ± 5%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

A simplified operative approach for type IV TAAA repair is associated with favorable perioperative results. These data refute the need for surgical adjuncts commonly applied in more extensive TAAA and indicate that the hybrid operation is an illogical posture. CRI should figure prominently in clinical decision making. Long-term survival equates that observed after routine AAA repair.

Open repair of extensive thoracoabdominal and thoracic aneurysm: a preliminary single-center experience with femorofemoral distal aortic perfusion with oxygenator and without cerebrospinal fluid drainage

Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA) and extensive thoracic descending aortic aneurysms (TDA) are not accessible through standard endovascular treatment. Fenestrated and branched endograft technology was developed rapidly without widespread application. The aim of this study was to review our open repair (OR) experience of TAAA and TDA. A total of 28 patients who underwent elective OR of TAAA or TDA between January 2001 and January 2009 were analyzed retrospectively. The mean age of the patients was 65.5 years (three women). The anatomic locations of the aneurysms were as follows: six in thoracic descending aorta and 22 in thoracoabdominal aorta (14 TAAA I, two TAAA II, six TAAA III). TDA (40 patients) available for ordinary endovascular treatment and TAAA IV (35 patients) were excluded from this study. To focus on spinal cord vascularization, 25 patients were submitted for angiography. Three patients suffering from back pain required quick treatment and were excluded from angiographic investigations. Angiography procedures were contributive in 23 patients (92%). Surgical repairs were driven through left thoraco-phreno-laparotomy, with the adjunct of distal aortic perfusion (femorofemoral bypass) including the use of an oxygenator and sequential aortic cross-clamping. Cerebrospinal fluid drainage was not used in this experience. The 30-day mortality rate was 14.3% (four of 28 patients): one multiorgan failure and three pulmonary sepsis. An immediate postoperative paraplegia occurred, affecting a patient with TDA who was previously submitted for infrarenal aorta replacement, despite angiographic identification and revascularization of intercostal artery destined to spinal artery. The 1-year survival rate was 82.1% (23 of 28 patients). In the preliminary experience of this study, OR of extensive TAAA and TDA with distal aortic perfusion and an oxygenator without use of cerebrospinal fluid drainage was associated with a significant perioperative mortality rate (14.2%), a reasonable rate of paraplegia (3%), and 1-year survival rate of 82.1%.

[Spinal cord protection during open and endovascular surgery in thoracic and thoracoabdominal aorta diseases]

In recent decades great advances have been made in surgical procedures for treating thoracic and thoracoabdominal aorta defects. Associated mortality and morbidity rates have dropped considerably, mainly in major reference centers, but nonetheless continue to be significant. The need for new strategies to reduce mortality and morbidity has made endovascular approaches an attractive alternative for high-risk surgical patients. The most feared complications of these procedures include paraparesis and paraplegia, which have devastating consequences on patients' quality of life. We provide an updated review of the pathophysiology of spinal cord ischemia in open and endovascular surgery, as well as perioperative measures designed to protect the spinal cord in both types of procedure.

Delayed postoperative paraplegia and graft infection after a thoracoabdominal dissection

WE REPORT THE SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF THORACOABDOMINAL DISSECTION, WHICH EXTENDED INTO THE LEFT ILIAC ARTERY, DESPITE TWO INDEPENDENT COMPLICATIONS: graft infection and a relatively rare, delayed postoperative paraplegia. The paraplegia suddenly occurred on postoperative day 10, and after an intravenous infusion of heparin and methylprednisolone, it gradually subsided. Moreover, graft infection was diagnosed on postoperative day 27, and with continuous irrigation of antibiotic treatment it was cured without recurrence of infection. Although anticoagulation therapy is not indicated for paraplegia, we suppose that it might be used as an adjunct therapeutic.