Early entry closure for acute type B aortic dissection by open stent grafting

Surgical Strategies for Type B Aortic Dissection by Frozen Elephant Trunk

The timing and choice of surgical method for type B aortic dissection, is still a topic of much debate. We performed total arch replacement using frozen elephant trunk (TAR-FET) as a means of preventing distant aortic events, such as retrograde type A aortic dissection (RTAD). We conducted analysis of 142 patients with acute type B dissection who were admitted between January of 2010 and July of 2017. Fifty-five cases required surgical intervention to treat enlargement of the false lumen diameter and ULP formation 2 weeks after the onset of symptoms. 17 TAR-FET were performed with a mean of 42±26 days period from onset to surgery. There were no complications of RTAD or paraplegic, and 90% of patient demonstrated aortic event free survival (5 years) and false lumen reduction ratio of 35%. Based on our analysis, using TAR-FET properly avoids serious complications like RTAD, and is a viable treatment option for type B dissection. (This is a translation of J Jpn Coll Angiol 2018; 58: 151-157.).

Open stent grafting for complex diseases of the thoracic aorta: clinical utility

Open stent grafting is an alternative treatment for extensive thoracic aortic replacement. However, this procedure is associated with a high incidence of spinal cord injury, which has limited its application. Multiple factors have been suggested to explain the risk of spinal cord injury, including deep delivery of the stent graft, history of operation of the downstream aorta, and postoperative low blood pressure. Cerebrospinal fluid drainage or a hybrid operation in combination with trans-femoral thoracic stent grafting is useful for preventing spinal cord injury. Open stent grafting remains an alternative treatment for atherosclerotic aneurysms with dilatation of the ascending aorta. Open stent grafting for acute aortic dissection is effective for remodeling of the false lumen. The graft diameter for aortic dissection should be 90 % of the total diameter of the aorta, and the distal landing zone should be limited to the T7 vertebral level to prevent new intimal tears or spinal cord injury. Open stent grafting seems a feasible bailout strategy for the treatment of retrograde aortic dissection after TEVAR for type B aortic dissection. Newly designed devices for open stent grafts include the Matsui-Kitamura stent graft or branched open stent graft, which is produced in Japan. The effectiveness of open stent grafting in the treatment of Marfan syndrome remains unclear. A commercially available device for open stent grafting would be desired in Japan. In conclusion, an open stent graft remains an alternative treatment for complex thoracic aortic pathologies.