Aortic dissection involving an aberrant right subclavian artery studied by aortography

Endovascular Aortic Repair With Castor Single-Branched Stent-Graft in Treatment of Acute Type B Aortic Syndrome and Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery

OBJECTIVE

In this retrospective study, we presented the results of Castor single-branched stent-graft in a small series of patients with acute type B aortic syndrome and aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA).

METHODS

Between January 2019 and November 2019, 5 patients were diagnosed with acute type B aortic syndrome and ARSA (4 patients with intramural hematoma and ARSA, 1 patient with type B aortic dissection and ARSA). All the patients underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) using Castor single-branched stent-graft. In-hospital and 3-month outcomes were collected.

RESULTS

The mean operative time was 116 ± 20.43 minutes (range 90-145). All the TEVAR procedures were successfully performed without conversion to open surgery (100% success rate). All the ARSAs of the 5 patients were revascularized in situ by Castor single-branched stent-grafts. No deaths and complications were observed in the 3-month follow-up. The maximal diameters of diseased aortas in the 4 patients with IMH decreased 3 months after TEVAR. The false lumen in the graft-covered segment was completely thrombosed in the patient with type B aortic dissection.

CONCLUSIONS

Castor single-branched stent-graft may be a good choice in treatment of acute type B aortic syndrome and aberrant right subclavian artery.

Endovascular management of blunt aortic injury with an associated aberrant right subclavian artery: a report of three cases

Traumatic rupture of the aorta in the rare setting of the aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) requires special consideration to prevent the occurrence of a devastating posterior cerebral circulation stroke. We present three cases managed by using an endovascular approach, with a discussion of important preoperative and operative issues. Three patients involved in motor vehicle collisions with multiple injuries were managed at two institutions. Computed tomography revealed transection of the aorta with incidental ARSA. All three cases were managed with a different approach. One patient did not undergo a preoperative bypass because imaging confirmed an adequate landing zone distal to the origin of the left subclavian artery. Two patients received preoperative right carotid-to-subclavian bypass for anticipated endograft coverage of both subclavian arteries to preserve single vertebral arterial flow. In one patient, an endovascular occlusion device was deployed in the ARSA before aortic endograft deployment. In the other, ARSA occlusion was performed 4 days later for a persistent type II endoleak. The patient who underwent bypass and preoperative ARSA occlusion suffered a fatal posterior circulation stroke shortly after surgery. The other two patients had no procedural complications and have not required any reinterventions at follow-up after 2 and 5 years. One patient is still undergoing rehabilitation after 5 years of follow-up for traumatic brain injury unrelated to the endograft repair. Although the incidence of ARSA is very low, preoperative imaging and assessment of cerebral blood flow are critical to prevent a perioperative stroke. Revascularization, if required to achieve a secure proximal landing zone, must be performed before endograft deployment. Bilateral subclavian revascularization is indicated if anomalies of the cerebral circulation are present.

Aortic dissection involving an aberrant right subclavian artery: CT and MR findings

Three cases of aortic dissection involving an aberrant right subclavian artery are presented. Preoperative diagnosis was made based on CT and MRI. The association of dissection and aberrant right subclavian artery is rarely encountered; however, the diagnostic and therapeutic implications of these associations are important. We describe the chest radiographic, CT, and MR findings of this rare complication of a relatively common congenital vascular anomaly.

Dissection of retroesophageal aortic diverticulum and descending aorta in a patient with right aortic arch: magnetic resonance demonstration

An acute aortic dissection involved the retroesophageal aortic diverticulum (RAD) and descending thoracic aorta in a patient with right aortic arch. The RAD, which was separated into false and true lumens by an intimal flap-the classic diagnostic sign of aortic dissection-was overlooked on transesophageal echocardiography and computed tomography but was clearly depicted on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It was found that MRI can delineate the anatomy of a congenital arch anomaly complicated by great vessels disease.

Aberrant subclavian artery: surgical treatment in thirty-three adult patients

PURPOSE

Because of the scarcity of large series in the literature, our experience with surgery for aberrant subclavian arteries (aSA) in adults was reviewed.

METHODS

During the last 16 years we have surgically treated 33 adult patients with aSA. Twenty-eight patients had a left-sided aortic arch with a right aSA whereas five had a right-sided aortic arch with a left aSA. Eleven patients (group 1) had dysphagia caused by esophageal compression by a nonaneurysmal aSA; five patients (group 2) had ischemic symptoms caused by occlusive disease of a nonaneurysmal aSA; 10 patients (group 3) had aneurysms of the aSA with or without symptoms caused by esophageal compression or arterial thromboembolism; and seven patients (group 4) had an aSA arising from a diseased (usually aneurysmal) thoracic aorta. In all cases the divided aSA was revascularized, most often by direct transposition into the ipsilateral common carotid artery. Nine of the 16 patients in groups 1 and 2 underwent operation with a cervical approach alone. In the remaining seven, the cervical approach was combined with a median sternotomy (six cases) or a left thoracotomy (one case). In the 17 patients in groups 3 and 4, either a cervical approach (two cases), a median sternotomy (four cases), or a two-staged approach combining a supraclavicular incision on the side of the aSA with a posterolateral thoracotomy on the side of the aortic arch (11 cases) was used. Aortic cross-clamping was required in 12 of these patients to perform the transaortic closure of the origin of the aSA with patch angioplasty (three cases), or prosthetic replacement of the descending thoracic aorta (nine cases). Cardiopulmonary bypass was used in six patients (including three with hypothermic circulatory arrest).

RESULTS

Four patients, all in groups 3 and 4, died after operation: two of multiorgan failure, one of heart failure, and one of esophageal rupture. Satisfactory clinical and anatomic results were obtained in the remaining 29 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The surgical approach to aSA must be flexible and adapted to the anatomic conditions found. We recommend routine reconstruction of the aSA to avoid ischemic complications in the vertebrobasilar territory or upper extremity. Provision should be made for cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with aneurysm of aSA or associated aortic aneurysm.

Dissecting aortic aneurysm involving a right-sided aortic arch

In this case, the first reported instance of aortic dissection involving a right-sided arch, an anomalous fourth arch vessel, the left subclavian artery, arose from a congenital aortic diverticulum. This report emphasizes the need for precise anatomic definition with aortography to permit appropriate therapy when congenital anomalies of the aortic arch are complicated by dissecting hematoma.