Total arch replacement and frozen elephant trunk for type A aortic dissection after Bentall procedure in Marfan syndrome

Outcomes of reoperation for total arch replacement combined with frozen elephant trunk after previous cardiovascular surgery

BACKGROUND

Aortic arch replacement(TAR) combined with frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique is a high-risk operation after previous cardiovascular surgery. The aim of the study was to review our strategy and outcomes in this cohort.

METHOD

Data were reviewed for patients who underwent TAR combined with FET after previous cardiovascular surgery from January 2010 to December 2020. The patients were divided into elective group and non-selective group.

RESULTS

63 eligible patients were divided into elective(n = 44) and non-elective(n = 19) groups. The interval between two operations was shorter in non-elective group than elective groups (P = 0.001). The indication for reoperation was different in two groups (P = 0.000), however, the type of reoperations has no differences. Cardiopulmonary bypass time was shorter in elective group than non-elective group (P = 0.000). The over-all 30-day mortality rate was 17.5%, and it was higher in non-elective group (P = 0.013). The 24h drainage increased in non-elective group (P = 0.001) as well as re-explore rate for bleeding (P = 0.022). Postoperative hospital stay prolonged in non-elective group (P = 0.002). However, rates of survival without further aortic events were 72.3 ± 7.1% in elective group, 72.9 ± 13.5% in non-elective group at 5 years, respectively (P = 0. 955).

CONCLUSION

Reduced 30-day mortality and shortened post-operative hospital stay was observed in elective group, however, long-term survival rate without reintervention were not affected.

Long-term outcomes after aortic root replacement for patients with Marfan syndrome

Background

A diversity of surgical strategies are used to treat Marfan syndrome patients with aortic disease. We sought to evaluate the long-term efficiency of aortic root replacement (ARR) for patients with Marfan syndrome.

Methods

Data were collected from 131 patients with Marfan syndrome and aortic disease who underwent ARR in our center. We retrospectively analyzed the long-term outcomes of these patients, among whom 68 had been diagnosed with aortic aneurysm (AA) and had undergone ARR. The remaining 63 patients had aortic dissection (AD); of these, 35 underwent ARR for limited ascending AD, while the others underwent ARR and total arch replacement combined with frozen elephant trunk (FET). Risk factors for survival and reoperation were identified.

Results

The operative mortality rate was 4.58%. Age >40 years was the sole risk factor for operative mortality. During follow-up, 12 deaths occurred. Patients aged <25 years and female patients were more prone to late death than were other patients. Indications for reoperation were noted in 22 patients, and the risk factors were age <30 years and female sex. At 5 years, the survival rate was 92.96%, and the freedom from reoperation rate was 88.36%. At 10 years, the survival rate was 85.25%, and the freedom from reoperation rate was 71.75%. The survival and freedom from reoperation rates were significantly higher in patients with AD than in those with AA. Specifically, chronic AD was a greater risk factor for late survival than was acute AD in patients with Marfan syndrome.

Conclusions

For patients with Marfan syndrome and aortic disease, ARR can be safely performed and results in low operative mortality and favorable long-term survival. Young and female patients have a higher risk for late death and reoperation. To prevent AD, surgical intervention should be promptly implemented following the diagnosis of aortic sinus dilation.

Is the frozen elephant trunk technique justified for chronic type A aortic dissection in Marfan syndrome?

Background

Chronic type A aortic dissection (cTAAD) in Marfan syndrome (MFS) is rare. Surgical experience is limited and the role of frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique remains undefined. We seek to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the total arch replacement (TAR) and FET technique for cTAAD in MFS.

Methods

The clinical data of sixty-eight patients with MFS undergoing FET and TAR for cTAAD were analyzed.

Results

Mean age was 35.8±9.7 years and thirty-nine were male (57.4%). Operative mortality was 10.3% (7/68). Stroke occurred in one (1.5%), re-exploration for bleeding in five (7.3%), low cardiac output in four (5.9%), and acute renal failure in two (2.9%). Follow-up was complete in 100% (61/61) at mean 7.3±4.0 years. The false lumen was obliterated in 73.5% across FET and 50.0% in unstented descending aorta (DAo). Distal dilation occurred in twenty patients, six of whom underwent thoracoabdominal aortic replacement, one abdominal aortic replacement and one thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). Late death occurred in five. At ten years, 59.8% were free from distal aortic dilation, and the incidences were 23.2% for death, 14.4% for distal reoperation, and 62.4% for reoperation-free survival. Predictors for operative mortality were extra-anatomic bypass [odds ratio (OR), 229.592; P=0.036], preoperative maximal size (DMax) of aortic sinuses (mm) (OR, 1.134; P=0.032) and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time (minute) (OR, 1.061; P=0.041). Risk factors for aortic dilatation included patent false lumen at diaphragmatic hiatus [hazard ratio (HR), 5.374; P=0.008], preoperative DMax (mm) of proximal DAo (HR, 1.068; P=0.001) and renal arteries (HR, 1.102; P=0.005) which also predicted distal reoperation (HR, 1.149; P=0.001). The time from onset to operation (day) (HR, 1.002; P=0.004) and CPB time (minute) (HR, 1.032; P=0.036) predicted late death.

Conclusions

This study shows that the TAR and FET technique is a safe and durable approach to cTAAD in patients with MFS. The operation should be performed as early as possible to optimize clinical outcomes.

Decision-making at initial surgery for type A aortic dissection in patients with Marfan syndrome: proximal or extensive repair

Background

Data on outcome of Stanford type A aortic dissection (TAAD) in Marfan syndrome (MFS) patients are limited. We investigated the full spectrum of reoperation and survival after initial surgery in MFS patients who suffered TAAD.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of 85 consecutive MFS patients in one-single center during the past 15 years.

Results

Overall, 85 MFS patients with TAAD underwent surgical repair [74% acute dissections; 80% DeBakey type I; 91% composite valved graft; 70% total arch replacement (TAR); 68% frozen elephant trunk (FET); 7% in-hospital mortality] at Changhai hospital affiliated to the Second Military Medical University over the past 15 years. Five (20.8%) patients in non-TAR group need aortic arch reintervention with resternotomy during follow-up, which is significantly higher than that in TAR group (P=0.001). Freedom from aortic arch reoperation in non-TAR group was all 78.7%±8.5% at 5, 10, and 15 years. No patient required aortic arch reoperation in TAR group (P=0.001). On the other hand, the FET was inserted into false lumen intentionally at initial surgery in 2 cases of chronic TAAD with narrowed true lumen. Scheduled thoracoabdominal aortic replacement was performed 6 months later. Both 2 patients are with well clinical outcomes. At last, we found that Debakey type and TAR at initial surgery were irrelevant to survival and reoperation for descending aorta.

Conclusions

TAR combined with FET is recommended in MFS patients when the aortic arch is dissected or enlarged. The FET could be inserted into the false lumen intentionally in selective case for scheduled 2-staged descending aortic repair.

Efficacy of Total Aortic Arch Replacement Combined with Frozen Elephant Trunk in Aortic Reoperation

Background

The aim of this study was to estimate the long-term efficacy of total aortic arch replacement combined with the frozen elephant trunk (TAR+FET) technique for aortic disease following a prior cardiac surgery procedure.

Material/Methods

We performed TAR+FET for 118 patients for major vessel disease following a prior cardiac procedure with median sternotomy incision. All patients were divided into 5 groups: in group A, the prior major procedure was aortic valve replacement (AVR); in group B, the prior major procedure was isolated ascending aorta replacement; in group C, the prior major procedure was aortic root replacement; in group D, the prior major procedure was aortic arch replacement or intervention; and in group E, the prior major procedure was ‘other’ cardiac operative procedure. The long-term follow-up visit results were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results

The 30-day mortality rate after the operation was 13.6% (16/118) – 2 died in group A, 1 in group B, 8 in group C, 4 in group D, and 1 in group E. Follow-up visits were completed in 99% of patients. The mean follow-up time was 47.6±36.3 months and 12 patients had died by follow-up, so the total long-term survival rate was 76.3%. One-year survival rates of the 5 groups were 85% (group A), 93.8% (group B), 82.3% (group C), 50% (group D), and 50% (group E), respectively. Five-year survival rates of the 5 groups were 85%, 93.8%, 80.6%, 50%, and 50%, respectively.

Conclusions

The TAR+FET technique is feasible and efficacious for aortic reoperation in patients who previously underwent cardiac surgery since the short-term mortality in patients with recurrent aortic arch disease after cardiac surgery is not high.

Fate of distal aorta after frozen elephant trunk and total arch replacement for type A aortic dissection in Marfan syndrome

OBJECTIVE

The use of the frozen elephant trunk technique for type A aortic dissection in Marfan syndrome is limited by the lack of imaging evidence for long-term aortic remodeling. We seek to evaluate the changes of the distal aorta and late outcomes after frozen elephant trunk and total arch replacement for type A aortic dissection in patients with Marfan syndrome.

METHODS

Between 2003 and 2015, we performed frozen elephant trunk + total arch replacement for 172 patients with Marfan syndrome suffering from type A aortic dissection (94 acute; 78 chronic). Mean age was 34.6 ± 9.3 years, and 121 were male (70.3%). Early mortality was 8.1% (14/172), and follow-up was complete in 98.7% (156/158) at a mean of 6.2 ± 3.3 years. Aortic dilatation was defined as a maximal diameter of greater than 50 mm or an average growth rate of greater than 5 mm/year at any segment detected by computed tomographic angiography. Temporal changes in the false and true lumens and maximal aortic size were analyzed with linear mixed modeling.

RESULTS

After surgery, false lumen obliteration occurred in 86%, 39%, 26%, and 21% at the frozen elephant trunk, unstented descending aorta, diaphragm, and renal artery, respectively. The true lumen expanded significantly over time at all segments (P < .001), whereas the false lumen shrank at the frozen elephant trunk (P < .001) and was stable at distal levels (P > .05). Maximal aortic size was stable at the frozen elephant trunk and renal artery (P > .05), but grew at the descending aorta (P = .001) and diaphragm (P < .001). Respective maximal aortic sizes before discharge were 40.2 mm, 32.1 mm, 31.6 mm, and 26.9 mm, and growth rate was 0.4 mm/year, 2.8 mm/year, 3.6 mm/year, and 2.6 mm/year. By the latest follow-up, distal maximal aortic size was stable in 63.5% (99/156), and complete remodeling down to the mid-descending aorta occurred in 28.8% (45/156). There were 22 late deaths and 23 distal reoperations. Eight-year incidence of death was 15%, reoperation rate was 20%, and event-free survival was 65%. Preoperative distal maximal aortic size (mm) predicted dilatation (hazard ratio, 1.11; P < .001) and reoperation (hazard ratio, 1.07; P < .001). A patent false lumen in the descending aorta predicted dilatation (hazard ratio, 3.88; P < .001), reoperation (hazard ratio, 3.36; P = .014), and late death (hazard ratio, 3.31; P = .045).

CONCLUSIONS

The frozen elephant trunk technique can expand the true lumen across the aorta, decrease or stabilize the false lumen, and stabilize the distal aorta in patients with Marfan syndrome with type A aortic dissection, thereby inducing favorable remodeling in the distal aorta. This study adds long-term clinical and radiologic evidence supporting the use of the frozen elephant trunk technique for type A dissection in Marfan syndrome.