Fate of the unoperated ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm: three-decade experience from the Aortic Institute at Yale University

AIMS

This study aims to outline the 'true' natural history of ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm (ATAA) based on a cohort of patients not undergoing surgical intervention.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The outcomes, risk factors, and growth rates of 964 unoperated ATAA patients were investigated, over a median follow-up of 7.9 (maximum of 34) years. The primary endpoint was adverse aortic events (AAE), including dissection, rupture, and aortic death. At aortic sizes of 3.5-3.9, 4.0-4.4, 4.5-4.9, 5.0-5.4, 5.5-5.9, and ≥6.0 cm, the average yearly risk of AAE was 0.2%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 1.4%, 2.0%, and 3.5%, respectively (P < 0.001), and the 10-year survival free from AAE was 97.8%, 98.2%, 97.3%, 84.6%, 80.4%, and 70.9%, respectively (P < 0.001). The risk of AAE was relatively flat until 5 cm of aortic size, at which it began to increase rapidly (P for non-linearity <0.001). The mean annual growth rate was estimated to be 0.10 ± 0.01 cm/year. Ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms grew in a very slow manner, and aortic growth over 0.2 cm/year was rarely seen. Multivariable Cox regression identified aortic size [hazard ratio (HR): 1.78, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.50-2.11, P < 0.001] and age (HR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00-1.05, P = 0.015) as significant independent risk factors for AAE. Interestingly, hyperlipidemia (HR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.23-0.91, P = 0.025) was found to be a significant protective factor for AAE in univariable Cox regression.

CONCLUSION

An aortic size of 5 cm, rather than 5.5 cm, may be a more appropriate intervention criterion for prophylactic ATAA repair. Aortic growth may not be an applicable indicator for intervention.

An exceptional survival in an unoperated tetralogy of Fallot in a 66-year-old man: A case report

Tetralogy of Fallot is the most common cyanotic congenital heart disease in children which comprises an overriding aorta, right ventricular outflow obstruction, ventricular septal defect, and right ventricular hypertrophy. It has an elevated early mortality rate without surgical correction, with most patients dying in childhood. Only 2% of patients survive past the age of 40 years without surgical intervention. Very few cases of survival to middle age have been reported, particularly after the fourth decade. In this article, we present a case of a 66-year-old male with an unoperated tetralogy of Fallot, which is one of the longest time periods of diagnosis. Despite tetralogy and having right ventricular dysfunction, this patient presented with fatigue, exertional dyspnea, cyanosis, and systemic hypertension. Considering the patient's comorbid conditions and the risk associated with the surgery, the patient was managed conservatively. To our knowledge, this is the oldest unoperated tetralogy of Fallot case reported in Nepal.

Long-term follow-up of unoperated, nonscissoring spiral metacarpal fractures

BACKGROUND

Spiral metacarpal fractures can result in shortening of the metacarpal shaft, which may lead to extension lag at the metacarpophalangeal joint and reduced grip strength. These fractures have been surgically treated to restore metacarpal length; however, there are complications associated with surgery, postoperative management and wound healing, which further threaten power recovery in the hand.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of conservative management of un-operated, nonscissoring spiral metacarpal fractures.

METHODS

Sixty-one consecutive patients presenting with nonscissoring spiral metacarpal fractures were treated nonoperatively and studied prospectively to determine the natural history of their power outcome. Thumb fractures and those requiring surgical intervention for scissoring were excluded.

RESULTS

Follow-up data of a minimum of five months (mean follow-up 87 weeks) were available for 13 patients. Mean grip strength at final follow-up was 36.18 kg on the uninjured side and 36.58 kg on the injured side. The strength-difference values did not differ significantly from zero (P=0.72).

CONCLUSION

The loss of metacarpal length associated with these fractures may not cause a power deficit sufficiently large to significantly affect grip strength and functional recovery in the hand. A prospective randomized controlled trial of operated versus unoperated, nonscissoring metacarpal fractures is warranted.