Management of pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta performed under circulatory arrest by port-access

Transcatheter palliation of aortic pseudoaneurysm in the early post-operative period: "bridge to surgery"

Aortic pseudoaneurysm is a rare, life-threatening complication that can occur after cardiac surgery, trauma, or infections. Surgical repair of aortic pseudoaneurysm is the conventional treatment, but it is associated with very high morbidity and mortality especially in early post-operative period. However, very limited reports of successful transcatheter repair of aortic pseudoaneurysm related to surgery appear in the literature. Herein, a case of a 9-year-old female who developed a pseudoaneurysm, after aortic reconstruction, that was successfully treated percutaneously using atrial septal occluder is presented.

Cardiac solution for a vascular scenario!

BACKGROUND

Ascending aortic pseudoaneurysms (AAPs) constitute a rare, albeit potentially dangerous, condition that occurs in up to 13% of patients after cardiac or aortic surgeries. For patients with a history of cardiac surgery, repeat thoracotomy poses additive risks. The high morbidity and mortality rates associated with the surgical management of AAPs have led to the development of transcatheter approaches.

CASE REPORT

We report a case of AAP percutaneous closure at the site of aortic cannulation with an ASO device in a post-CABG 65-year-old man, who refused surgery.

CONCLUSION

The use of the Amplatzer Atrial Septal Defect Occluder (ASO) device represents an acceptable alternative to surgery in treatment of Ascending aortic pseudoaneurysms.

Tailored approaches for transcatheter closure of postsurgical pseudoaneurysms from the ascending aorta and brachiocephalic artery

Ascending aortic pseudoaneurysms following open-heart surgery are treated by redo surgery or endovascular therapy when surgical risks are high. Extreme variations in their morphology, proximity to coronary and arch branches and vascular access may vary the timing, strategy, device choice, and technique in each patient. Three patients with varying etiology, presentations, and morphology of the pseudoaneurysms underwent successful endovascular exclusion by individually tailored strategies. The approach includes optimal treatment of the underlying infections before the endovascular intervention despite the emergency to treat the condition; choosing appropriate device depending on the proximity to aortic branches, choosing appropriate access depending on the angulation of the entry of pseudoaneurysm to the aortic lumen, and use of adequate imaging for achieving procedural success. <Learning objective: A tailored approach for transcatheter closure of postsurgical ascending aortic pseudoaneurysms should include: 1 Optimal infection control before the intervention. 2 Choosing nitinol occluders in high-flow aneurysms; vascular plugs and coils for residual leaks; and embolic protection for high clot burden. 3 Choice of femoral, brachial, or transapical access is decided based on angulation of the aneurysm with ascending aorta. 4 Meticulous planning of the interventions based on advanced three-dimensional imaging.>.

Postoperative ascending aortic gigantic pseudoaneurysm: Endovascular treatment with the use of a septal occluder plug

A rare postoperative complication of aortic root replacement is pseudoaneurysm formation. Surgical repair may be rather challenging particularly in patients who are elder and with significant comorbidities. Endovascular approach may also be technically demanding, given the high blood velocity and the anatomical challenges of the area of the aortic root and the ascending aorta. We would like to describe a case of an 85-year-old patient with history of prosthetic graft aortic root replacement who had been developed a 7-cm pseudoaneurysm with sternotomy diastasis and extension in the subcutaneous tissue, 7 years after the initial operation. Given the comorbidities, open repair was not considered a valid option and successful endovascular repair with the use of a ventricular septal occluder plug followed. One-year follow-up confirmed satisfactory exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm with no migration of the endovascular device and no other complication. This is one of the rare cases on endovascular repair of an ascending aorta postoperative pseudoaneurysm.

Modified Port-Access Technique for the Treatment of Aortic Dissection after Previous Cardiac Surgery

One of the most challenging conditions to manage after previous cardiac surgery is chronic dissection of the ascending aorta. We operated on a 54-year-old man who had aortic dissection in addition to large aortic dimensions very close to the sternum, severe aortic regurgitation, and a false lumen in the descending aorta. We used a combination of perfusion and myocardial protection techniques, arising from port-access technology, that enabled antegrade flow into the aorta, endoclamping of the ascending aorta, the administration of cardioplegic solution before opening the sternum, and left ventricular venting to prevent ventricular distention. Our technique resulted in minimal blood loss, shorter circulatory-arrest and operative times, the ability to operate on a decompressed heart and descending aorta, good myocardial protection, and easier and safer access to the heart. Three years postoperatively, our patient was doing well. Other patients might benefit from this approach; however, the surgeon must ensure that an aortic segment is suitable for endoclamping.

Repair of ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm eroding through the sternum

In reoperation for an ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm eroding through the sternum, a left ventricular vent allows careful unhurried sternal division under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. We repaired ascending aortic pseudoaneurysms in 2 patients who had undergone aortic valve implantation 6 and 21 months earlier. A minithoracotomy was made in the left 5th intercostal space, and a vent was placed in the left ventricular apex. Repair was accomplished with a bovine pericardial patch reinforced with a Teflon felt strip. Both patients made an uneventful recovery with good functional status at discharge at the 8- and 18-month follow-up.

Percutaneous closure of aortic pseudoaneurysm in a young female with atrial septal occluder

This case report represents a novel technique for the treatment of a pseudoaneurysm of the aorta. Pseudoaneurysm of the aorta has been reported in patients post heart surgery. This case report is about a patient who had a pseudoaneurysm most probably following tuberculosis. Traditionally, the treatment of choice is surgical correction; however, in the current era, there are case reports describing the use of either stent grafts or Amplatzer occluders for occlusion of the pseudoaneurysm in high-risk surgical cases. We performed successful closure of the aortic pseudoaneurysm using atrial septal occluder. .

Percutaneous closure of a large ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm

Pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta is a rare complication, usually after thoracic surgery or trauma. Since surgical repair is associated with very high morbidity and mortality, percutaneous closure has been described as an alternative. In this regard, we present a case in which a symptomatic large pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta was treated percutaneously due to the high surgical risk. Despite the technical difficulties, this procedure had a good final result followed by clinical success.

Resternotomy using hypothermic arrest

BACKGROUND

Resternotomy during closed chest cardiopulmonary bypass in hypothermia with or without circulatory arrest has been the preferred method for cardiac reoperations with adherent structures to the sternum. Here, we report our experience with this method and the effects of omitting ventricular decompression during the cooling procedure.

METHODS

Twenty reoperations were performed in 19 patients. In half (n = 10) of the procedures aortic regurgitation was present. Cardiopulmonary bypass was instituted in all patients before resternotomy, and the re-entry into the chest was performed either under hypothermic low-flow cardiopulmonary bypass or circulatory arrest. The reason for this choice of technique was adherent structures to the sternum posing a substantial risk for rupture during resternotomy in all patients.

RESULTS

Rupture upon re-entry into the chest occurred in five operations. No patient died due to re-entry injury. The overall hospital mortality was 15%. No differences in postoperative outcomes including heart failure, biochemical markers indicating myocardial damage, and three-month follow-up assessment of cardiac function were found between patients with aortic regurgitation and patients without aortic regurgitation.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our experience, omitting ventricular decompression in resternotomy in hypothermia and arrested circulation or low-flow cardiopulmonary bypass can be safely used, and the presence of aortic regurgitation does not seem to influence the outcome.

The percutaneous closure of a large pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta with an atrial septal defect Amplatzer occluder: two-year follow-up

Pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta is a high-risk complication following cardiac surgery. The present report describes excellent two-year follow-up results after the percutaneous closure of a very large pseudoaneurysm with an Amplatzer atrial septal defect occluder. The original cavity in the anterior mediastinum with maximal diameter 15 cm remained as only a small scar. The patient was without serious health problems both early and after two years.

Reoperation for Giant False Aneurysm of the Thoracic Aorta: How to Reenter the Chest?

BACKGROUND

Giant false or pseudoaneurysm of the aorta is a rare but dreadful complication occurring several months or years after cardiac or aortic surgery. We describe a surgical approach that allowed safe reentry in the chest in five patients, with a mean follow-up of almost seven years.

METHODS

From December 1991 to October 1999, five patients aged 34 to 74 years (mean age, 55 +/- 11.6 years), who had previously undergone a total of nine operations in other institutions, required reoperation for giant false aneurysm of the ascending aorta in a mean delay of 22.6 +/- 20.3 months (3 months to 6 years) after the last surgical procedure. In order to avoid major mediastinal wound and patient's exsanguination during resternotomy, the following technique has been used: femoral artery cannulation; right atrial cannulation through the femoral vein; femoro-femoral full-flow cardiopulmonary bypass; rectal temperature lowered to 25 degrees C; direct cannulation and cross-clamping of both carotid arteries through a direct cervical approach, and selective cerebral perfusion with cold blood (10 degrees C to 12 degrees C); circulatory arrest of the main circuit; chest opening; and mediastinal division.

RESULTS

Despite the fact that the false aneurysm was entered in all patients, reopening of the chest has been safe in all cases. In four cases, the aortic repair consisted of complete graft replacement (Dacron) of the compromised aortic segment (ascending aorta in two; both ascending aorta and aortic arch in two). In one case, reimplantation of the left coronary ostium and closure of a fistula with the left ventricle was carried out. One patient with ongoing mediastinitis died from intractable septicemia and multiorgan failure. Presently, two patients are in excellent condition; one suffers from light neurologic sequelae (oculomotor nerves palsy) and one patient had a nonrelated stroke one year postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

The technique of separate carotid cannulation and selective antegrade brain perfusion with cold blood during circulatory arrest at moderate core hypothermia has, in our opinion, many advantages. In addition to allowing harmless opening of the chest in the presence of most dangerous mediastinal false aneurysms, it implies no general deep hypothermia, reduced duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, and circulatory arrest of the lower part of the body, and safe and permanent brain protection throughout chest opening and mediastinal division. It has allowed us to safely reoperate on patients who are generally considered as a major surgical risk.

Surgical treatment of pseudoaneurysm of the thoracic aorta

OBJECTIVES

To examine the clinical profiles, operative outcomes, and late results of patients with pseudoaneurysm of the thoracic aorta.

METHODS

From 1990 to 2002, 60 patients underwent repair of aortic pseudoaneurysm: ascending aorta in 70%, ascending aorta and arch in 15%, descending aorta in 10%, and arch alone in 5%. Mean age was 53 +/- 15 years, and 70% were men. Of these, 50 (83%) had undergone previous cardiac surgery, including 22 (37%) composite valve graft operations. The preferred cannulation site was femoral-femoral (n = 27, 45%), with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest in 62% and retrograde cerebral perfusion in 33%; more recently, however, axillary cannulation has been preferred.

RESULTS

Principal etiologies were graft infection in ascending aorta pseudoaneurysm and trauma in descending aorta pseudoaneurysm. Fifteen patients (25%) presented with chest pain, 13 (22%) with heart failure, and 20% with moderate or severe aortic regurgitation. The pseudoaneurysm was resected and the aorta replaced (n = 45, 75%) or repaired (n = 15, 25%) using various methods. Hospital mortality was 6.7% (n = 4). Reexploration for bleeding was required in 8.3%, and 3.3% had postoperative stroke. At 30 days, 5 years, and 10 years, survival was 94%, 74%, and 60% and freedom from reoperation was 95%, 77%, and 67%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Most patients with aortic pseudoaneurysm require ascending aorta and/or arch replacement, which can be accomplished with low operative mortality and morbidity. Long-term survival and freedom from reoperation in these young patients parallel those expected for complex cardiac and aortic disease.

Thoracic Aorta False Aneurysm: What Surgical Strategy Should Be Recommended?

BACKGROUND

Thoracic aorta false aneurysms (TAFA) are a surgical challenge. The best technical approach remains uncertain.

METHODS

Between 1981 and 2004, 57 patients underwent operation for TAFA (mean age 57 +/- 18 years; 43 [75%] were male). Symptoms included dyspnea 25 (44%), chest pain 22 (39%), and fever 18 (32%). Twelve (21%) were asymptomatic. Thirty-seven (65%) had undergone previous operation with a mean interval between operations of 80 +/- 90 months. Fifteen (26%) had a mycotic etiology. The TAFA involved the aortic root in 10 (18%), ascending aorta in 28 (49%), arch in 6 (11%), and descending aorta in 13 (32%). Twenty-one (37%) required femorofemoral cannulation and 28 (49%), circulatory arrest. Surgical techniques included graft replacement in 27 (47%), composite root in 10 (18%), patch repair in 10 (18%), and direct suture in 10 (18%).

RESULTS

Operative mortality was 7% (4 patients). Four of 32 (13%) had massive hemorrhage during redo sternotomy, and all of these had planned extramediastinal cannulation (all survived). Follow-up was 100% for 349 patient-years. Actuarial survival was 77% +/- 6%, 63% +/- 8%, and freedom from recurrent TAFA was 87% +/- 5% and 83% +/- 7%, at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Univariate analysis identified TAFA greater than 55 mm, urgent operation, and NewYork Heart Association functional class III or IV as predictors of hemorrhage during redo sternotomy. Obesity and ejection fraction of 35% or less were predictors of operative death.

CONCLUSIONS

Thoracic aorta false aneurysm symptoms may be minimal, and consequently a high degree of suspicion plus serial imaging is warranted. Extramediastinal cannulation, deep hypothermia, and circulatory arrest are required for large mediastinal TAFA. Despite serious risks, TAFA correction is possible with good long-term results.

Repair of ascending aorta pseudoaneurysm without circulatory arrest in redo patient

A pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta is an unusual and potentially fatal complication after aortic surgical operations. TEE and CT scan are the investigations of choice. Surgical treatment is mandatory. We describe the successful management of a pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta, with aorto-sternal-cutaneous fistula requiring right axillary and femoral artery cannulation with Remote Access Perfusion^® aortic cannula (Estech^®, California, USA). Behaving like this we avoid hypotermic circulatory arrest, provide safe reentry and prevent an impending rupture.

Endovascular Aortic Clamping for Pseudoaneurysms of the Aortic Root With Aortic Regurgitation

BACKGROUND

We propose a safer strategy for surgical treatment of retro-sternal pseudoaneurysms of the aortic root with severe aortic regurgitation. The objective was to allow safer re-entry in a quite and bloodless field eliminating the risk of ventricular distension and avoiding deep hypothermia.

METHODS

In 6 patients presenting with postsurgical aortic root pseudoaneurysms in close proximity to the sternum associated with aortic regurgitation, we used the following techniques: femorofemoral cardiopulmonary bypass; transfemoral aortic endoclamping; percutaneous retrograde cardioplegia administration before sternotomy in patients with normal descending aorta; femoroaxillary cardiopulmonary bypass; transaxillary aortic endoclamping; percutaneous retrograde cardioplegia administration before sternotomy in patients with concomitant disease of the descending aorta.

RESULTS

All patients survived the operation and were discharged home. Arterial cannulation and endoclamp insertion were uneventful. Reentry was uncomplicated. Deep hypothermia was avoided in all cases. No occurrences of even minor neurologic problems were observed. None of these patients experienced a postoperative low cardiac output syndrome. Postoperative course was complicated in 1 patient with re-entry for bleeding; acute renal insufficiency requiring hemofiltration in 2 patients; pneumonia in 1 patient; and soft tissues sternotomy infection in 1 patient.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients presenting with a pseudoaneurysm of the aortic root attached to the sternum and concomitant aortic regurgitation it is possible, by closed chest endovascular aortic clamping, to eliminate risks of ventricular distension and to avoid deep hypothermia.

Transaxillary Aortic Endoclamping for Ascending Aortic Pseudoaneurysm and Dissected Descending Aorta

Patients presenting with pseudoaneurysm of the aortic root close to the sternum, severe aortic regurgitation, and chronic dissection of the descending aorta represent a formidable surgical challenge. Closed chest circulatory arrest in this setting carries a high risk of myocardial or brain damage. We propose a modification of the port-access technique that allows control and access of the pseudoaneurysm, avoiding the need for closed chest circulatory arrest. Our strategy is based on transaxillary endoclamping of the ascending aorta and combines the advantages of antegrade aortic flow with the possibility of stopping the heart and venting the left ventricle before sternotomy.

Preoperative Balloon Sealing of a False Ascending Aortic Aneurysm for Safe Redo Sternotomy

Sternal contact of aortic aneurysms in redo operations may require specific techniques to safely control bleeding during sternotomy and surgical dissection. This is the first report on the preoperative use of an inflatable balloon to prevent massive hemorrhage by inserting the balloon--a procedure performed in the cardiac catheterization laboratory--before rethoracotomy. A false ascending aortic aneurysm was successfully sealed by transaortic wire-guided balloon placement from the iliac artery. Gentle traction on the inflated balloon catheter, which was placed inside the false aneurysm, effectively sealed the entrance to the aneurysm. A straightforward median redo sternotomy procedure was subsequently performed without blood loss from the unavoidably opened aneurysm. My colleagues and I propose this technique for aneurysms of mycotic or anastomotic origin, which have an anatomically distinct entry channel.

Pseudoaneurysm of Ascending Aorta After Aortic Valve Replacement

A pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta is an unusual and potentially fatal complication after aortic surgical procedures. A contrast computed tomographic scan is the investigation of choice. Surgical treatment is mandatory. We describe the successful management of a pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta by instituting femorofemoral bypass and achieving hypothermic circulatory arrest, which provided safe reentry and prevented an impending rupture.

Percutaneous closure of ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm using Amplatzer septal occluder device: The first clinical case report and literature review

We report the first case of the use of an Amplatzer septal occluder device to close a large ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm. The patient had a complex cardiac history with redo coronary artery bypass graft surgery, severe left ventricular dysfunction, and end-stage renal disease requiring hemodialysis. The procedure was successfully performed under fluoroscopic and 2D/3D transthoracic echocardiographic guidance. Six-week follow-up with both transthoracic echocardiography and MRI showed the device was in proper position with complete closure of the pseudoaneurysm.

Transfemoral control of ruptured aortic pseudoaneurysm at aortic root reoperation

Median sternotomy in the setting of aortic pseudoaneurysm and/or rupture is hazardous, requiring technical modifications to prevent exsanguination. Free aortic disruption, particularly when accompanied by aortic regurgitation, presents a particularly challenging situation. The critical issue is to protect the brain and heart while obtaining control of the aorta. We report management of such a case using transfemoral balloon aortic occlusion.

Atherosclerotic pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta

Pseudoaneurysms in the ascending aorta most commonly occur as a complication of surgical procedures at this site. They have also been reported in association with trauma, infection, aortitis, and other disorders. Pseudoaneurysm formation in the descending aorta or arch may occur as a result of penetrating ulcers in the presence of severe atherosclerotic plaque. Pseudoaneurysm as a result of atherosclerotic disease has only rarely been noted in the ascending aorta, where complex plaque is less common. We report here the finding with transesophageal echocardiography of a pseudoaneurysm in the ascending aorta as a result of atherosclerotic disease and penetrating ulcer.

A practical tool to control bleeding during sternal reentry for pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta

Big pseudoaneurysms of the ascending aorta after a previous thoracic operation are rare and represent a surgical challenge. Because the rupture during sternal reentry occurs before the clamp-control of the distal ascending aorta, it is essential to control the bleeding until the adhesions are released in order to place the sternal retractor. We report the use of Foley catheter with a malleable guidewire to control the bleeding from the defect in the ascending aorta causing a pseudoaneurysm in case of a limited access.