Application of multi-planar reconstruction technique in endovascular repair of aortic dissection

BACKGROUND Endovascular repair of aortic dissection is an effective method commonly used in the treatment of Stanford type B aortic dissection.Stent placement during the operation was one-time and could not be repeatedly adjusted during the operation.Therefore,it is of great significance for cardiovascular physicians to fully understand the branch status,position,angle,and other information regarding aortic arch dissection before surgery.AIM To provide more references for clinical cardiovascular physicians to develop treatment plans.METHODS Data from 153 patients who underwent endovascular repair of aortic dissection at our hospital between January 2021 and December 2022 were retrospectively collected.All patients underwent multi-slice spiral computed tomography angiography.Based on distinct post-image processing techniques,the patients were categorized into three groups:Multiplanar reconstruction(MPR)(n=55),volume reconstruction(VR)(n=46),and maximum intensity projection(MIP)(n=52).The detection rate of aortic rupture,accuracy of the DeBakey classification,rotation,and tilt angles of the C-arm during the procedure,dispersion after stent release,and the incidence of late complications were recorded and compared.RESULTS The detection rates of interlayer rupture in the MPR and VR groups were significantly higher than that in the MIP group(P<0.05).The detection rates of De-Bakey subtypesⅠ,Ⅱ,andⅢin the MPR group were higher than those in the MIP group,and the detection rate of typeⅢin the MPR group was significantly higher than that in the VR group(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the detection rates of typesⅠandⅡcompared to the VR group(P>0.05).The scatter rate of markers and the incidence of complications in the MPR group were significantly lower than those in the VR and MIP groups(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The application of MPR in the endovascular repair of aortic dissection has improved the detection rate of dissection rupture,the accuracy of anatomical classification,and safety.

Cases Report of Atypical Aortic Dissection

Background: Aortic dissection (AD) is one of the common causes of fatal chest pain in emergency medicine. The main and most common clinical manifestation is pain, with about 90% of patients experiencing sudden persistent, tearing or cutting-like pain in the chest or back. However, there have also been reports of myocardial infarction, heart failure, renal failure, syncope, shock, stroke, paraplegia and other cases. Clinical misdiagnosis is common. Aim: Alert clinicians to aortic dissection with shock and chest tightness as the main clinical presentations. Case Presentation: Report on two cases of aortic dissection with syncope and shock as the main manifestations. Conclusion: Aortic dissection is a highly dangerous cardiovascular emergency with a high mortality rate. In clinical practice, awareness of the clinical manifestations of aortic dissection should be increased. Careful inquiry about medical history, attention to atypical clinical presentations of aortic dissection, thorough physical examination, and comprehensive diagnostic evaluation can improve the success rate of diagnosing aortic dissection.

Ultrasound Combined with CTA in Diagnosis of Painless Aortic Dissection Combined with Carotid Artery Active Thrombosis: A Case Report

Background: Aortic dissection (AD) is a relatively rare but dreadful illness, often accompanied by severe, sharp (or tearing) back pain or anterior chest pain, as well as acute hemodynamic compromise. Painless dissection has also been reported in rare cases and might be misdiagnosed due to its atypical symptoms leading to catastrophic outcomes. Case presentation: The patient was admitted to the hospital due to right limb weakness with speech inability for more than 10 hours. In the routine cardiac ultrasound examination, the avulsion intimal echo was found in the initial segment of the descending aorta. The rupture range was about 11 mm, and the lumen was separated into real and false lumen. Further computed tomography angiography (CTA) examination confirmed the major arterial dissection (De Bakey Type I). Conclusion: We report a case of painless aortic dissection with active carotid artery thrombosis diagnosed by ultrasound and CTA, and to improve the understanding of painless aortic dissection by reviewing relevant domestic and foreign literature.

Aortic Dissection Research in China:Analysis of Studies Funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China

Objective The National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)has made great progress in promoting the development of aortic dissection research in recent years.This study aimed to examine the development and research status of aortic dissection research in China so as to provide references for future research.Methods The NSFC projects data from 2008 to 2019 were collected from the Internet-based Science Information System and other websites utilized as search engines.The publications and citations were retrieved by Google Scholar,and the impact factors were checked by the InCite Journal Citation Reports database.The investigator’s degree and department were identified from the institutional faculty profiles.Results A total of 250 grant funds totaling 124.3 million Yuan and resulting in 747 publications were analyzed.The funds in economically developed and densely populated areas were more than those in underdeveloped and sparsely populated areas.There was no significant difference in the amount of funding per grant between different departments’investigators.However,the funding output ratios of the grants for cardiologists were higher than those for basic science investigators.The amount of funding for clinical researchers and basic scientific researchers in aortic dissection was also similar.Clinical researchers were better in terms of the funding output ratio.Conclusion These results suggest that the medical and scientific research level of aortic dissection in China has been greatly improved.However,there are still some problems that urgently need to be solved,such as the unreasonable regional allocation of medical and scientific research resources,and the slow transition from basic science to clinical practice.

Perioperative Risk Factors for Post-operative Pneumonia after Type A Acute Aortic Dissection Surgery

Objective Type A acute aortic dissection(TAAAD)is a dangerous and complicated condition with a high death rate before hospital treatment.Patients who are fortunate to receive prompt surgical treatment still face high in-hospital mortality.A series of post-operative complications further affects the prognosis.Post-operative pneumonia(POP)also leads to great morbidity and mortality.This study aimed to identify the prevalence as well as the risk factors for POP in TAAAD patients and offer references for clinical decisions to further improve the prognosis of patients who survived the surgical procedure.Methods The study enrolled 89 TAAAD patients who underwent surgical treatment in Tongji Hospital,Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology,Wuhan,Hubei province,China from December 2020 to July 2021 and analyzed the perioperative data and outcomes of these patients.Logistic regression analyses were used to identify the risk factors for POP.Results In the study,31.5%of patients developed POP.Patients with POP had higher proportions of severe oxygenation damage,pneumothorax,reintubation,tracheotomy,renal replacement therapy,arrhythmia,gastrointestinal bleeding,and longer duration of mechanical ventilation,fever,ICU stay,and length of stay(all with P<0.05).The in-hospital mortality was 2.3%.Smoking,preoperative white blood cells,and intraoperative transfusion were the independent risk factors for POP in TAAAD.Conclusion Patients who underwent TAAAD surgery suffered poorer outcomes when they developed POP.Furthermore,patients with risk factors should be treated with caution.

Postoperative hypoxemia for patients undergoing Stanford type A aortic dissection

Clinically,it is widely recognized that surgical treatment is the preferred and reliable option for Stanford type A aortic dissection.Stanford type A aortic dissection is an emergent and serious cardiovascular disease characterized with an acute onset,poor prognosis,and high mortality.However,the incidences of postoperative complications are relatively higher due to the complexity of the disease and its intricate procedure.It has been considered that hypoxemia,one of the most common postoperative complications,plays an important role in having a worse clinical prognosis.Therefore,the effective intervention of postoperative hypoxemia is significant for the improved prognosis of patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection.

Current knowledge and contemporary management of non-A non-B aortic dissections

Non-A non-B aortic dissection(AAD)is an infrequently documented condition,comprising of only a small proportion of all AADs.The unique anatomy of the aortic arch and the failure of the existing classifications to adequately define individuals with non-A non-B AAD,have led to an ongoing controversy around the topic.It seems that the clinical progression of acute non-A non-B AAD diverges from the typical type A and B dissections,frequently leading to serious complications and thus mandating early intervention.Currently,the available treatment methods in the surgical armamentarium are conventional open,endovascular techniques and combined hybrid methods.The optimum approach is tailored in every individual case and may be determined by the dissection’s location,extent,the aortic diameter,the associated complications and the patient’s status.The management of non-A non-B dissections still remains challenging and a unanimous consensus defining the gold standard treatment has yet to be reached.In an attempt to provide further insight into this perplexing entity,we performed a minireview of the literature,aiming to elucidate the epidemiology,clinical course and the optimal treatment modality.

The Anzhen Risk Scoring System for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection:A Prospective Observational Study Protocol

Introduction:Acute type A aortic dissection(ATAAD)is a catastrophic disease with fatal outcomes.Malperfusion syndrome(MPS)is a serious complication of ATAAD,with an incidence of 20–40%.Many studies have shown that MPS is the main risk factor for poor ATAAD prognosis.However,a risk scoring system for ATAAD based on MPS is lacking.Here,we designed a risk scoring system for ATAAD to assess mortality through quantitative assessment of relevant organ malperfusion and subsequently develop rational treatment strategies.Methods and analysis:This was a prospective observational study.Patients’perioperative clinical data were col-lected to establish a database of ATAAD(N≥3000)and determine whether these patients had malperfusion complica-tions.The Anzhen risk scoring system was established on the basis of organ malperfusion by using a random forest survival model and a logistics model.The better method was then chosen to establish a revised risk scoring system.Ethics and dissemination:This study received ethical approval from the Ethics Committees of Beijing Anzhen Hospital,Capital Medical University(KS2019034-1).Patient consent was waived because biological samples were not collected,and no patient rights were violated.Findings will be disseminated at scientific conferences and in peer-reviewed publications.

Relationship between intralobar pulmonary sequestration and type A aortic dissection:A case report

BACKGROUND Pulmonary sequestrations often lead to serious complications such as infections,tuberculosis,fatal hemoptysis,cardiovascular problems,and even malignant degeneration,but it is rarely documented with medium and large vessel vasculitis,which is likely to result in acute aortic syndromes.CASE SUMMARY A 44-year-old man with a history of acute Stanford type A aortic dissection status post-reconstructive surgery five years ago.The contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the chest at that time had also revealed an intralobar pulmonary sequestration in the left lower lung region,and the angiography also presented perivascular changes with mild mural thickening and wall enhancement,which indicated mild vasculitis.The intralobar pulmonary sequestration in the left lower lung region was long-term unprocessed,which was probably associated with his intermittent chest tightness since no specific medical findings were detected but only positive sputum culture with mycobacterium avium-intracellular complex and Aspergillus.We performed uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with wedge resection of the left lower lung.Hypervascularity over the parietal pleura,engorgement of the bronchus due to a moderate amount of mucus,and firm adhesion of the lesion to the thoracic aorta were histopathologically noticed.CONCLUSION We hypothesized that a long-term pulmonary sequestration-related bacterial or fungal infection can result in focal infectious aortitis gradually,which may threateningly aggravate the formation of aortic dissection.

Mid-term outcomes of left subclavian artery revascularization with Castor stent graft in treatment of type B aortic dissection in left subclavian artery

Background:Here we analyzed mid-term data of thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair(TEVAR)surgery with Castor single-branched stent graft placement for the management of Stanford type B aortic dissection(STBAD)involving the left subclavian artery(LSA).Methods:Between April 2014 and February 2019,32 patients with STBAD involving a Castor single-branched stent graft were included.We analyzed their outcomes,including technical success rate(TSR),surgical duration(SD),presence of ischemia,perioperative complications,LSA patency,and survival rate(SR),using computed tomography angiography and clinical evaluation during mid-term follow-up.Results:The mean patient age was 54.63±12.37 years(range,36–83 years).The TSR was 96.88%(n=31/32).The mean SD was 87.44±10.89 with a mean contrast volume of 125.31±19.30 mL.No neurological complications or deaths occurred during the study period.The patients had a mean hospital stay of 7.84±3.20 days.At a mean follow-up of 68.78±11.26 months,four non-aortic deaths(12.5%)were observed.The LSA patency rate was 100%(n=28/28).There was only one case of type I endoleak immediately after surgery(3.12%)(type I from LSA).However,none of the patients experienced type II endoleaks,and there were no cases of retrograde type A aortic dissection or stent graft-driven new distal entry.Finally,all patients exhibited good LSA patency.Conclusion:TEVAR using a Castor single-branched stent graft may be a highly feasible and efficient procedure for the management of STBAD involving the LSA.

Morphological features and endovascular repair for type B multichanneled aortic dissection: A case report

BACKGROUND Among the various types of aortic dissection,multichanneled aortic dissection(MCAD)differs from classic double-channeled aortic dissection and involves the formation of an additional false lumen in the aortic wall or the flaps.It is considered a relatively rare condition with high perioperative mortality and morbidity.However,the morphological characteristic and the optimal therapeutic strategy for MCAD has not been fully determined.CASE SUMMARY A 64-year-old man presented to our hospital with severe epigastric abdominal pain radiating to the back that was associated with nausea without emesis.A computed tomography angiogram was performed that revealed a type B aortic dissection with multiple channels extending from the level of the left subclavian artery to the bilateral femoral arteries.We used a medical three-dimensional modeling(3D)modeling system to identify the location and extension of multiple lumens from different angles.It also precisely located the two primary entries leading to the false lumens,which helped us to exclude the two false lumens with one stent-graft.CONCLUSION By applying medical 3D modeling system,we discover the fragility of aortic wall and the collapse of true lumen caused by the multiple false lumens are the two morphological features of MCAD.

A Case of Cerebrospinal Drainage for Paraplegia Complicated by Acute Aortic Dissection (Stanford B) Followed by TEVAR in the Subacute Phase

The patient is 50-year-old man. He was admitted to our hospital with a strong back pain and diagnosed as an acute type B aortic dissection. On the second day of hospitalization, he developed symptoms of paraplegia, and we considered TEVAR, but we were concerned that TEVAR intervention in the acute phase might worsen the dissection, so we first placed a cerebrospinal drainage (CSFD) device, which resulted in improvement of his symptoms. Thereafter, although his lower limb mobility was fine, he underwent thoracic stent graft aortic repair (TEVAR) in the subacute phase due to worsening ULP. The patient had a good postoperative course and was discharged home unassisted. The initial placement of CSFD was effective in reducing the incidence of paraplegia as a complication of TEVAR and in bringing the timing of TEVAR intervention from the acute phase to the subacute phase.

Type A aortic dissection developed after type B dissection with the presentation of shoulder pain: A case report

BACKGROUND Aortic dissection(AD)is a life-threatening condition with a high mortality rate without immediate medical attention.Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are critical in treating patients with AD.In the emergency department,patients with AD commonly present with classic symptoms of unanticipated severe chest or back pain.However,it is worth noting that atypical symptoms of AD are easily misdiagnosed.CASE SUMMARY A 51-year-old woman was first diagnosed with scapulohumeral periarthritis due to left shoulder pain.After careful examination of her previous medical history and contrast-enhanced computed tomography angiography,the patient was diagnosed with a new type A AD after chronic type B dissection in the ascending aorta.The patient was successfully treated with surgical replacement of the dissected aortic arch and remains in good health.CONCLUSION New retrograde type A AD after chronic type B dissection is relatively rare.It is worth noting that a physician who has a patient with suspected AD should be vigilant.Both patient medical history and imaging tests are crucial for a more precise diagnosis.

Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Cardiopulmonary Arrest Due to Aortic Dissection

Background and Aim: Reports on recovery from Stanford type A aortic dissection (TAAD) leading to cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) are few. In retrograde TAAD (r-TAAD) cases, some authors reported the efficacy of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). However, only a few reports chose TEVAR for the treatment of r-TAAD resulting in cardiac arrest before hospital arrival. We report a case of r-TAAD presenting with cardiac arrest before hospital arrival not indicated for surgery but TEVAR as treatment. Case: A 65-year-old woman with a history of Marfan syndrome presented to the emergency department after a CPA. Sequential return of spontaneous circulation was achieved 27 min after CPA. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed retrograde r-TAAD with an entry tear to the false lumen in the thoracic descending aorta. Therefore, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) was performed with r-TAAD. Afterward, the clinical course was stabilized. This patient suggests that TEVAR is an effective option for the treatment of patients with hemodynamically unstable r-TAAD, even after CPA. Conclusion: TEVAR can lead to a successful recovery from cardiac arrest due to r-TAAD.

Analysis of 287 Patients with Aortic Dissection:General Characteristics,Outcomes and Risk Factors in a Single Center

The general characteristics,outcomes and risk factors of the patients with aortic dissection（AD） were evaluated in a single medical center.From January 2002 to December 2008,284 patients with AD were treated and followed-up at our institution,including 105 cases of type A AD and 179 cases of type B AD.The patients in each type were divided into three groups according to management：medical treatment group（A or B）,open surgery group（A or B）,and stent-graft group（A or B）.The characteristics and follow-up outcomes were compared between the groups or subgroups.The results showed that there was significant difference in the prognosis for type A AD between medical treatment group and open surgery group,but there was no significant difference in the prognosis for type B AD between medical treatment group and stent-graft group.Independent risk factors of follow-up mortality for patients with type A AD included a history of atherosclerosis（HR,3.80795% confidence interval [CI],1.489 to 7.611P=0.003）,in-hospital hypotension/shock（HR,4.68795% CI,1.846 to 11.900P=0.001）,in-hospital myocardial ischemia or infarction（HR,3.73495% CI,1.613 to 8.643P=0.002）,pleural effusion（HR,2.21095% CI,1.080 to 4.521P=0.030）,branch vessel involvement（HR,2.74795% CI,1.202 to 6.278P=0.016） and surgical treatment（HR,0.17795% CI,0.063 to 0.502P=0.001）.And there were insignificant independent predictors for mortality of the patients with type B AD.It was concluded that there were significant differences in characteristics and one year mortality between type A AD and type B AD,but after one year,there was no significant difference in the mortality and complications of them.There were several discordant risk factors of AD,such as female gender,age,thrombus,abrupt onset of pain that were considered as the risk factors in some papers.And there was no definite risk factor of mortality in this study in the patients with type B AD.

Treatment of Stanford type A aortic dissection with triple prefenestration, reduced diameter, and three-dimensional-printing techniques: A case report

BACKGROUND A 63-year-old female was diagnosed with acute Stanford type A aortic dissection.The patient had pain in the chest and back for 1 wk.The computed tomography angiography(CTA)showed Stanford type A aortic dissection(Myla type III aortic arch).The intimal tear was located at the top of the aortic arch and retrograded to the ascending aorta.CASE SUMMARY Preoperatively,a three-dimensional(3D)-printed model of the aortic arch was made according to CTA data.Then,under the guidance of the 3D-printed aortic model,a pre-fenestrated stent-graft was customized,and the diameter of the stent-graft was reduced intraoperatively by surgeons.3D printing,triple prefenestration,and reduced diameter techniques were used during the surgery.The CTA examinations were performed at the 3rd mo and 1st year after the surgery;the results showed that the aortic dissection was repaired without endoleak,and all three branches of the aortic arch remained unobstructed.CONCLUSION Applying the triple pre-fenestration technique for aortic arch lesions was feasible and minimally invasive in our case.The technique provides a new avenue for thoracic endovascular aortic repair of Stanford type A aortic dissection.

Computed tomography angiography-negative aortic dissection in a patient using Phencyclidine

Although the average age of diagnosis for aorticdissection is 63,[1] this case demonstrates the need toconsider AD in younger patients, particularly in thepresence of risk factors or in the absence of anotherreasonable diagnosis. This case suggests PCP use as aprecipitant for hypertension and sympathomimetic stresson the aorta. Despite high sensitivity, false negativeCTA imaging for AD can occur. If pretest probabilityremains high, further imaging must be obtained. Duringresuscitation in the ED, focused point-of-care ultrasoundcan also assist with medical decision making.

Central Nervous System Toxicity of Sodium Nitroprusside in Treatment of Patients with Aortic Dissection

This study examined the sodium nitroprusside (SNP) toxicity to central nervous system (CNS) in treatment of patients with aortic dissection (AD). The medical records of 191 AD patients who were admitted to Tongji Hospital, China, from Jan. 1998 to Feb. 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 140 cases of hypertension (73.3%) and 13 cases of Marfan syndrome (6.8%) among the 191 AD patients. A total of 157 patients were given SNP treatment. The toxic reactions of CNS occurred in 18 subjects (11.5%). Most of the adverse reactions occurred on the fifth day following SNP injection. SNP infusion rate was significantly higher in patients who developed CNS toxicity. It was suggested that systemic hypertension is the most common predisposing factor for AD. The combination of SNP with a β-receptor blocker is a medical therapy commonly used in patients with AD. Cyanide and thio-cyanate toxicity from SNP treatment is always the consequence of prolonged drug infusion or relatively high dose administration.

Acute ischemic Stroke combined with Stanford type A aortic dissection:A case report and literature review

BACKGROUND Acute aortic dissection(AAD)is a high mortality disease that can lead to acute ischemic strokes(AIS).Some of the patients with AAD combined with AIS initially present with neurological symptoms,which can easily lead to missed or delayed AAD diagnosis.This is attributed to the lack of physician awareness or the urgency of patient thrombolysis.Intravenous administration of thrombolytic therapy(IVT)for AAD is associated with poor prognostic outcomes.We report a patient with AIS combined with AAD who developed a massive cerebral infarction after receiving IVT for a missed AAD diagnosis.CASE SUMMARY A 49-year-old man was admitted to a local hospital with an acute onset of leftsided limb weakness accompanied by slurred speech.The patient had a history of hypertension that was not regularly treated with medication.Physical examination revealed incomplete mixed aphasia and left limb hemiparesis.Cranial computed tomography(CT)scan showed bilateral basal ganglia and lateral ventricular paraventricular infarct lesions.The patient was diagnosed with AIS and was administered with IVT.After IVT,patient’s muscle strength and consciousness deteriorated.From the local hospital,he was referred to our hospital for further treatment.Emergency head and neck CT angiography(CTA)scans were performed.Results showed multiple cerebral infarctions,and aortic dissection in the ascending aorta,innominate artery,as well as in the right common carotid artery.Then,the CTA of thoracoabdominal aorta was performed,which revealed a Stanford type A aortic dissection and aortic dissection extending from the aortic root to the left external iliac artery.Laceration was located in the lesser curvature of the aortic arch.AAD complicated with AIS was considered,and the patient was immediately subjected to cardiovascular surgery for treatment.The next day,the patient underwent aortic arch and ascending aortic replacement and aortic valvuloplasty.CONCLUSION Clinical manifestations for AAD combined with AIS are diverse.Some patients may not exhibit typical chest or back pains.Therefore,patients should be carefully evaluated to exclude AAD before administering IVT in order to avoid adverse consequences.

Automatic Detection of Aortic Dissection Based on Morphology and Deep Learning

Aortic dissection(AD)is a kind of acute and rapidly progressing cardiovascular disease.In this work,we build a CTA image library with 88 CT cases,43 cases of aortic dissection and 45 cases of health.An aortic dissection detection method based on CTA images is proposed.ROI is extracted based on binarization and morphology opening operation.The deep learning networks(InceptionV3,ResNet50,and DenseNet)are applied after the preprocessing of the datasets.Recall,F1-score,Matthews correlation coefficient(MCC)and other performance indexes are investigated.It is shown that the deep learning methods have much better performance than the traditional method.And among those deep learning methods,DenseNet121 can exceed other networks such as ResNet50 and InceptionV3.