Reconstructive treatment of symptomatic vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms with Willis covered stent: Initial experience

Background:Symptomatic vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm(VADA)is a challenging disease with controversy on treatment strategy due to anatomic configuration and their nature.Moreover,the outcomes of reconstructive treatment have not been well established.Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of reconstructive endovascular treatment(EVT)for symptomatic VADAs with Willis covered stent.Methods:We evaluated retrospectively 13 patients with symptomatic VADAs who treated with Willis covered stent,compared with stent-assisted coiling(SAC)on the characteristics,posttreatment course,angiographic and clinical follow-up outcomes at an average of 14.4 months(range,3-48 months).Results:A total of 33 patients with symptomatic VADAs were reviewed,23 of these patients with ruptured VADAs.The technical successful rate is 100%respectively in Willis covered stent(Group A)and SAC(Group B,n=20).The initial complete occlusion rate was significant higher in group A(100%)than group B(30%)(p<0.01).Major procedure-related complications were not significant different in the two groups.Serial follow-up angiograms revealed 5 recurrent VADAs in group B and no recurrence in group A(p>0.05).No obvious in-stent stenosis and no re-hemorrhage and delayed ischemic symptoms during the follow-up period.The final angiograms of all survived patients demonstrated the complete occlusion rate was higher in group A(100%)than group B(80%),but no significant statistical difference(p>0.05).Clinical outcomes were favorable in 31(93.9%),severe disability occurred in one in group B,and only one death in group A.The final clinical outcomes were also not significant difference in the two groups(p>0.05).Conclusions:Our initial result demonstrated reconstructive EVT with Willis covered stent provides a viable approach for selected symptomatic VADAs involving the intracranial and extracranial segments,which is similar to favorable results with SAC.However,an expanded clinical experiences and larger cohort studies are needed.

The interactions between bloodstream and vascular structure on aortic dissecting aneurysmal model: A numerical study

Stent-graft implantation is an important means of clinical treatment for aortic dissecting aneurysm （ADA）. However, researches on fluid dynamics effects of stent were rare. Computer simulation was used to investigate the interactions between bloodstream and vascular structure in a stented ADA, which endures the periodic pulse velocity and pressure. We obtained and analyzed the flow velocity distribution, the wall displacement and wall stress in the ADA. By comparing the different results between a non-stented and a stented ADA, we found that the insertion of a vascular graft can make the location of maximum stress and displacement move from the aneurysm lumen wall to the artery wall, accompanied with a greatly decrease in value. These results imply that the placement of a stent-graft of any kind to oc-clude ADA will result in a decreased chance of rupture.

Delayed asymptomatic progressive aortic dissecting aneurysm in patient with STEMI

An 80-year-old woman visited emergency room because of resting chest pain for one hour. She had history of hypertension for 10 years. The blood pressure was 80/50 mmHg and the pulse rate was 51 beats/min. The electrocardiogram demonstrated Junctional bradycardia and ST elevation in lead Ⅱ, Ⅲ and aVF. Chest X-ray indicated cardiomegaly （Figure 1A）. Coronary angiography revealed near total occlusion of proximal right coronary artery （RCA）. She underwent percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） for the RCA lesion successfully. Echocardiography showed hypokinesia of RCA territory （Figure 2A）.

Treatment of extracranial internal carotid artery dissecting aneurysm with SUPERA stent implantation:Two case reports

BACKGROUND There is no standard endovascular treatment for extracranial internal carotid artery dissecting aneurysms.In the past,stent-graft isolation and stent-assisted coil embolization were commonly used for wide-necked and fusiform aneurysms.Here,we present two cases of extracranial internal carotid artery dissecting aneurysms treated successfully using the SUPERA stent.CASE SUMMARY Case 1 was a 57-year-old male patient with sudden right limb weakness and vague speech and diagnosed with cerebral infarction in February 2019.Cervical computed tomographic angiography(CTA)revealed left internal carotid artery dissection with stenosis.CTA at 2 mo showed an eccentric wide-necked dissecting aneurysm(5 mm×5 mm×12 mm,10-mm neck)that was enlarged at 4 mo(7 mm×6 mm×12 mm,11-mm neck).The patient underwent SUPERA stent implantation.His condition was stable in July 2020.Case 2 was a 57-year-old man who suddenly felt dizzy and developed unsteady walking in November 2019.Cervical CTA suggested right internal carotid artery dissecting aneurysm(11 mm×9 mm×31 mm)complicated with severe lumen stenosis(95%).The patient underwent SUPERA stent implantation.The patient had no residual symptoms and was stable in December 2020.CONCLUSION SUPERA stent implantation might achieve good results in treating wide-necked or long fusiform internal carotid artery dissecting aneurysms.

Treatment of pediatric intracranial dissecting aneurysm with clipping and angioplasty,and next-generation sequencing analysis:A case report and literature review

BACKGROUND Large intracranial dissecting aneurysm(IDA)in the anterior cerebral circulation is rare in children.There has been no consensus on the diagnosis and treatment for IDA in children.CASE SUMMARY We report a 3-year-old boy with a large ruptured IDA in the right middle cerebral artery(16 mm×14 mm).The IDA was successfully managed with clipping and angioplasty.Next-generation sequencing of the blood sample followed by bioinformatics analysis suggested that the rs78977446 variant of the ADAMTS13 gene is a risk for pediatric IDA.Three years after surgery,the boy was developmentally normal.CONCLUSION Clipping and angioplasty are effective treatments for ruptured IDA in the anterior cerebral circulation.ADAMTS13 rs78977446 is a risk factor for pediatric IDA.

Endovascular treatment of intracranial dissecting aneurysm

Objective To analyze the clinical features of intracranial dissecting aneurysm and summarize the experience of its endovascular embolization. Methods 16 cases of intracranial dissecting aneurysm were treated by endovascular embolization. Among these 16 patients,3 patients were treated with single stent or double

Endovascular Treatment of the Huge Dissecting Aneurysms Involving the Basilar Artery by the Internal Trapping Technique： Technical Note

Background： The endovascular strategy of the huge dissecting aneurysms involving the basilar artery （BA） is controversial and challenging. This study was to investigate the clinical and angiographic outcomes of the treatment of the huge dissecting aneurysms involving the BA by the internal trapping （IT） technique. Methods： We retrospectively studied 15 patients with the huge dissecting aneurysms involving the BA treated by the IT technique between September 2005 and September 2014 in Department of Interventional Neuroradiology of Beijing Tiantan Hospital. Clinical and angiographic data were reviewed and evaluated. Results： All patients were treated by the IT technique. That meant the dissecting artery and aneurysm segments were completed occlusion. After the procedure, the angiography demonstrated that all the dissecting artery and aneurysm segments were completed occlusion. Follow-up angiography was performed at 3-6 months or 12-18 months alter the endovascular treatment （median 8 months）, 14 patients had a good recovery. Re-canalization occurred in one patient whose aneurysm involved in bilateral vertebral arteries and the two third of the middle-lower BA. After the second treatment, the patient died by the ventricular tachycardia. Conclusions： The IT technique is a technically feasible and safe alternative for the treatment of BA dissecting aneurysms, but it is not necessarily the safest or most definitive treatment modality. The ideal treatment of the huge dissecting aneurysms involving the BA remains debatable and must be investigated on a case-by-case basis.

Dissecting aneurysms of the distal segment of the posterior cerebral artery: clinical presentation and endovascular management

Backgroud:We aimed to evaluate the clinical presentations and report the acceptable clinical and angiographic outcome of the distal posterior cerebral artery (PCA) dissecting aneurysms with parent artery occlusion (PAO).Methods:From June 2006 to July 2013,26 patients with PCA dissecting aneurysms were planned to be treated via endovascular PAO in our institution.Fourteen patients had ruptured aneurysms,and twelve patients had unruptured aneurysms.The endovascular modalities were the following:1) PAO (n =19),2) palliative embolization (n =5),and 3) proximal PAO (n =2).Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was used to assess the clinical outcome.Results:The procedure was technically successful in all cases.In the PAO and proximal PAO group,all of the immediate angiography showed occlusion of the parent vessel,and follow-up imaging showed no recurrence of the aneurysms.In the palliative embolization group,one of five patients was died of rebleeding after the procedure,and follow-up digital subtraction angiography (DSA) showed the other four aneurysms recurred.Five procedure related complications occurred totally:rebleeding (n =1),hemiparesis (n =2),and hemianopsia (n =2).Conclusion:Dissecting aneurysms are dynamic lesions with variable and unpredictable evolution and a thorough treatment is warranted.Sacrificing the parent artery appears to be well tolerated for distal segment of PCA.We propose that this technique could be the first treatment option in treating dissecting aneurysms in this location.However,palliative occlusion of distal PCA dissecting aneurysms is not an advisable treatment option.

Treatment Strategy for Middle Cerebral Artery Dissecting Aneurysm with Severe Stenosis

A 62-year-old male patient was presented to the First Affiliated Hospital,Zhejiang University,School of Medicine with right hemiparesis and aphasia.No obvious infections were found.The magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated multiple infarctions in the area supplied by the left middle cerebral artery.The diagnosis was made as left middle cerebral artery dissecting aneurysm with stenosis.After adequate preoperative preparation,the patient received interventional therapy and then exhibited good prognosis.This paper introduces the interventional procedures for the treatment of the left middle cerebral artery dissecting aneurysm with stenosis.

Association of alcohol consumption with aortic aneurysm and dissection risk:results from the UK Biobank cohort study

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have reported inconsistent results with positive,negative,and J-shaped associations between alcohol consumption and the hazard of aortic aneurysm and dissection(AAD).This study aimed to examine the connections between weekly alcohol consumption and the subsequent risk of AAD.METHODS:The UK Biobank study is a population-based cohort study.Weekly alcohol consumption was assessed using self-reported questionnaires and the congenital risk of alcohol consumption was also evaluated using genetic risk score(GRS).Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios(HRs)with 95% confidence intervals(CIs)for the associations between alcohol consumption and AAD.Several sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the results.RESULTS:Among the 388,955 participants(mean age:57.1 years,47.4% male),2,895 incident AAD cases were documented during a median follow-up of 12.5 years.Compared with never-drinkers,moderate drinkers(adjusted HR:0.797,95%CI:0.646-0.984,P<0.05)and moderate-heavy drinkers(adjusted HR:0.794,95%CI:0.635-0.992,P<0.05)were significantly associated with a decreased risk of incident AAD.Interaction-based subgroup analysis revealed that the protective effect of moderate drinking was reflected mainly in participants younger than 65 years and women.CONCLUSION:Our findings support a protective effect of moderate alcohol consumption on AAD,but are limited to participants younger than 65 years and women.

Blunt aortic injury-traumatic aortic isthmus pseudoaneurysm with right iliac artery dissection aneurysm:A case report

BACKGROUND Blunt aortic injury is a special type of aortic disease.Due to its low incidence,high prehospital mortality and high probability of leakage diagnosis,the timely identification of patients with blunt aortic injury who survive the initial injury has always been a clinical challenge.CASE SUMMARY We report a case of traumatic aortic pseudoaneurysm with right iliac artery dissection aneurysm that was diagnosed 3 mo after a traffic accident.The patient is a 76-year-old male who was knocked down by a fast-moving four-wheel motor vehicle while crossing the road(the damage mechanism was side impact).He received chest,cranial computed tomography(CT)and whole abdomen enhanced CT in the local hospital.The images suggested subarachnoid hemorrhage,right frontoparietal scalp hematoma,fracture of the right clavicle and second rib,lumpshaped mediastinal shadow outside the anterior descending thoracic aorta(mediastinal hematoma),mesenteric vascular injury with hematoma formation,pelvic fracture,and subluxation of the left sacroiliac joint.After the pelvic fracture was fixed with an external stent,he was sent to our hospital for further treatment.In our hospital,he successfully underwent partial resection of the small intestine and CT-guided screw internal fixation of the left sacroiliac joint and returned to the local hospital for rehabilitation treatment.However,since the accident,the patient has been suffering from mild chest pain,which has not aroused the attention of clinicians.During rehabilitation,his chest pain gradually worsened,and the thoracic aorta computed tomography angiography performed in the local hospital showed a pseudoaneurysm in the initial descending segment of the aortic arch.After transfer to our hospital,a dissecting aneurysm of the right external iliac artery was incidentally found in the preoperative evaluation.Finally,endovascular stent graft repair was performed,and he was discharged on the 10th day after the operation.No obvious endo-leak was found after 4 years of follow-up.CONCLUSION We highlight that emergency trauma centers should consider the possibility of aortic injury in patients with severe motor vehicle crashes and repeat the examination when necessary to avoid missed diagnoses.

Endovascular Management of Vertebral Artery Aneurysms

Background: The management outcome of a series of ruptured vertebral artery (VA) aneurysms was reviewed. Method: This is a retrospective study of prospectively collected data of 60 cases with ruptured VA aneurysms in the author’s database from the year 2004. All cases were managed with coiling, stent-assisted coiling, flow diversion or endovascular parent artery sacrifice. Nimodipine and hypertensive, hypervolemic therapy was applied as standard. Outcome was assessed at 6 months with modified Rankin score (mRS). Results: There were 26 females and 34 males. Age range is 18 to 70 with a mean age of 42. There were 27 dissecting aneurysms and 33 saccular aneurysms. 50 (83%) cases were World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS) grade one to three. There were four WFNS grade four and six WFNS grade five. 25 cases of dissecting aneurysms were managed with parent artery coil occlusion. Two dissecting aneurysms affecting the dominant VA were treated with flow diverters. At 6 months follow up 50 (83%) achieved good outcome with mRS one to two. There were eight cases with poor outcome and two deaths. Six-month follow-up MR angiogram documented stable occlusion for the 24 cases with dissecting aneurysms treated with parent artery coil occlusion who survived. The two treated with flow diversion demonstrated good remodelling at 6 months on angiography. Six-month follow-up angiogram for the 32 cases of saccular aneurysm who survived documented stable aneurysm obliteration. Conclusion: Good outcome can be achieved with endovascular treatment for ruptured VA aneurysms. Parent artery occlusion is a safe and effective technique for ruptured VA dissecting aneurysm.

Vocal Cord Paralysis Secondary to Carotid Artery Dissection: A Case Report

Background and Objective: Vocal cord paralysis results in impairment of breathing and/or speech. One of the causes of vocal cord paralysis is the disruption of vagus nerve innervation to the vocal cords by the mass effect of a neighbouring structure. We report a rare case of vocal cord paralysis secondary to internal carotid artery dissection. Method: The diagnosis was based on clinical history, physical examination and imaging studies. Literature review was done. Case Report: This was a 53-year-old female with a history of unremitting, progressive hoarseness and mild dysphagia to liquid, who was clinically found to have impaired left vocal cord mobility, a left-sided pulsatile neck mass and left carotid artery dissection based on imaging studies. Symptoms abated after conservative treatment with Aspirin and she has remained symptom free since two years of follow-up. Conclusion: Vocal cord paralysis can be a consequence of carotid artery dissection causing mass effect on the vagus nerve. Thus, carotid artery dissection should not be forgotten as a possible cause of vocal cord paralysis in some cases of vocal cord paralysis of uncertain etiology. Treatment with anti-platelet drug can bring about resolution of symptoms and return of vocal cord mobility.

Silicate ions as soluble form of bioactive ceramics alleviate aortic aneurysm and dissection

Aortic aneurysm and dissection(AAD)are leading causes of death in the elderly.Recent studies have demonstrated that silicate ions can manipulate multiple cells,especially vascular-related cells.We demonstrated in this study that silicate ions as soluble form of bioactive ceramics effectively alleviated aortic aneurysm and dissection in both Ang II andβ-BAPN induced AAD models.Different from the single targeting therapeutic drug approaches,the bioactive ceramic derived approach attributes to the effect of bioactive silicate ions on the inhibition of the AAD progression through regulating the local vascular microenvironment of aorta systematically in a multi-functional way.The in vitro experiments revealed that silicate ions did not only alleviate senescence and inflammation of the mouse aortic endothelial cells,enhance M2 polarization of mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages,and reduce apoptosis of mouse aortic smooth muscle cells,but also regulate their interactions.The in vivo studies further confirm that silicate ions could effectively alleviate senescence,inflammation,and cell apoptosis of aortas,accomplished with reduced aortic dilation,collagen deposition,and elastin laminae degradation.This bioactive ceramic derived therapy provides a potential new treatment strategy in attenuating AAD progression.

Treatment of infrarenal abdominal aortic dissection concomitant with an aneurysm

Aortic dissection occurs when layers of the aortic ,walls are separated by the blood flow through an intimal tear. Dissection of the aorta most frequently originates in the ascending aorta （70%）, followed by the descending aorta （22%）, the aortic arch （7%） and the abdominal aorta （1/%）.1 The dissection limited to the abdominal aorta is rare.2 An isolated abdominal aortic dissection （IAAD） concomitant with an abdominal aortic aneurysm （AAA） is uncommon. We present here one patient with IAAD and AAA treated by endovascular therapy.

Comparison of Partial Upper Sternotomy Versus Median Sternotomy for Total Arch Replacement in Patients With Type A Aortic Dissection

Objective:Comparative studies of median sternotomy and partial upper sternotomy in total arch replacement for type A aortic dissection are rare,and the safety and benefits of partial upper sternotomy need further evaluation.This study aimed to explore the effectiveness and prognosis of partial upper sternotomy in total arch replacement among patients with type A aortic dissection.Methods:This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent total arch replacement for type A aortic dissection at the First Medical Center of Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital between January 2016 and December 2019.They were grouped into the median sternotomy and partial upper sternotomy groups according to the different treatment methodologies.The intra-operative and prognostic indicators were compared between both groups.Results:Forty-nine patients were included:31 in the median sternotomy group and 18 in the partial upper sternotomy group.The partial upper sternotomy group had a shorter incision((9.0±0.8)cm vs.(25.5±1.3)cm,P=0.02)and smaller postoperative total drainage volume(885mL vs.1,820mL,P=0.03)than the median sternotomy group.The differences between the 2 groups with respect to other intra-operative indicators such as operation duration,cardiopulmonary bypass duration,aortic occlusion duration,hypothermic circulatory arrest duration,and intra-operative blood loss,and prognostic indicators such as red blood cell infusion,ventilator aid duration,cardiac intensive care unit stay,postoperative hospital stay,and postoperative complications were not significantly different(all P>0.05).Conclusions:The utilization of partial upper sternotomy in patients with type A aortic dissection resulted in a smaller incision and more aesthetically pleasing scar,along with reduced drainage volume compared to median sternotomy.