Background: Data on the clinical features and surgical outcomes of type A intramural hematoma (IMH) in Chinese patients are very limited. We aimed to present the surgical experiences on type A IMH in our center, and report early and late outcomes. Methods: From February 2012 to April 2018, 106 consecutive patients underwent open surgery for type A IMH at our hospital. We adopted emergent operation for patients with cardiac tamponade or other severe complications, and recommended initial medical treatment followed by elective surgery for stable patients. The composite endpoints included operative mortality, permanent nerve damage (stroke, paraplegia), and new-onset renal failure necessitating hemodialysis. Risk factors for operative mortality and the composite endpoints were identified using univariable and multivariable logistic regression model analysis. The survival and freedom from aortic events were analyzed using a Kaplan-Meier surviving curve and a log-rank test. Results: Except 1 patient receiving emergent surgery (within 24 hours from onset) because of cardiac tamponade and cerebral malperfusion, all patients received initial medical treatment and delayed surgery. Two patient developed pericardial tamponade while waiting for surgery, and then received emergent surgery. Preoperative conversion to aortic dissection (AD) was noted in no patient. The operative techniques included ascending aorta replacement in 9 patients, hemiarch replacement in 18 patients, total arch replacement (TAR) with frozen elephant trunk (FET) in 45 patient and hybrid aortic arch repair in 34 patients. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time and cross-clamp time were 138.7±41.6 and 79.3±27.8 min, respectively. The operative mortality was 1.9% (2/106). And the composite endpoints occurred in 7 patients. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed CPB time ≥200 min and chronic kidney disease were risk factors for the composite endpoints. The follow-up data were available in 97 survivors, with the mean follow-up time of 30.8±16.2 months. Three patients died and 5 patients developed aortic events during the follow-up. The overall survival at 1-, 3- and 5-year were 97.0%, 95.3%, and 79.4%, respectively. And freedom from aortic events at 1-, 3- and 5-year were 97.7%, 95.3% and 89.4%, respectively. Conclusions: Our strategy had got low mortality and excellent mid-term survival in patients with type A IMH. Therefore, our strategy was suitable for the surgical repair of type A IMH in Chinese population.

OBJECTIVES The aim was to evaluate the short-term outcomes of hybrid type II arch repair (HAR) and total arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk (TAR with FET) for acute DeBakey type I aortic dissection patients. METHODS From January 2017 to June 2019, the clinical data of acute DeBakey type I aortic dissection patients in a single centre were retrospectively reviewed; there were 92 cases of HAR and 268 cases of TAR with FET, with 56 pairs by propensity score matching. RESULTS After matching, the composite end points including 30-day mortality, stroke, paraplegia, renal failure, hepatic failure, reintubation or tracheotomy and low cardiac output syndrome were comparable (21.4%, 12/56 in the HAR group vs 21.4%, 12/56 in the TAR with FET group, P = 1.000). The rate of acute kidney injury (AKI) was significantly lower in the HAR group (58.9%, 33/56 vs 80.4%, 45/56, P = 0.031). The distribution of AKI stage according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria was different (P = 0.039), with more patients suffering from high-grade AKI in the TAR with FET group. Multivariable logistic analysis showed that the procedure type (HAR or TAR with FET) was not an independent predictor of composite adverse events or stroke. HAR was identified as a protective factor against AKI (odds ratio 0.485, 95% confidence interval 0.287–0.822; P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS In the treatment of acute DeBakey type I aortic dissection, no significant differences were found in early outcomes between the 2 groups, but HAR was associated with a significantly lower incidence of AKI.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of antiplatelet therapy on the long-term descending thoracic aorta (DTA) fate and prognosis of extensive repaired type A aortic dissection (TAAD). METHODS: 1147 eligible TAAD patients from January 2010 to December 2019 were stratified into non-antiplatelet (n = 754) and antiplatelet groups (n = 393). The primary end points were overall survival, and DTA remodelling, including false lumen (FL) thrombosis and aortic redilation. The secondary end points were DTA reintervention or rupture and major bleeding events (MBEs). RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival rates were 95.6% and 94.3% in the non-antiplatelet and antiplatelet groups (P = 0.53), respectively. In the stent covering segment, the 1-year FL complete thrombosis rates were 92.1% and 92.4% in the non-antiplatelet and antiplatelet groups (P = 0.27), respectively, while in the stent uncovering segment, the 5-year FL complete thrombosis rates were 47.1% and 56.5% in the non-antiplatelet and antiplatelet groups (P = 0.12), respectively. Antiplatelet therapy was not an independent predictor of aortic redilation at the pulmonary artery bifurcation (β±SE = –0.128 ± 0.203, P = 0.53), diaphragm (β±SE = 0.143 ± 0.152, P = 0.35) or coeliac artery (β±SE = 0.049 ± 0.136, P = 0.72) levels. With death as a competing risk, the cumulative incidences of DTA reintervention or rupture at 5 years were 4.6% and 4.0% in the non-antiplatelet and antiplatelet groups (sHR = 0.85, 95% CI, 0.49∼1.19; P = 0.58), respectively, and the 5-year cumulative incidences of MBEs were 2.1% and 2.3% in the non-antiplatelet and antiplatelet groups (sHR = 0.82, 95% CI, 0.56∼2.67; P = 0.62), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Antiplatelet therapy did not impact long-term DTA FL thrombosis, redilation, reintervention or rupture, MBEs or overall survival on extensive repaired TAAD. Thus, antiplatelet therapy can be administered as indicated on extensive repaired TAAD.

Aortopulmonary fistula secondary to a large pseudoaneurysm after a Bentall procedure is a rare but complex complication. Herein, we report a case of Cabrol shunt obliteration and pseudoaneurysm formation three months after a Bentall procedure. The patient also presented with congestive heart failure due to an aortopulmonary fistula six years later. Surgery was successfully performed to repair the dehiscence of the biliteral coronary ostia and the aortopulmonary fistula, and to replace the ascending aorta. Postoperatively, the patient recovered uneventfully.

Background: The presence of an isolated left vertebral artery (ILVA) in patients with aortic dissection is a rare and challenging condition. This study aims to determine the optimal management of ILVA in patients with aortic dissection undergoing total arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk. Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 94 patients with ILVA and aortic dissection who underwent total arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk. Patients were divided into 3 groups: 18 patients underwent ligation of ILVA, 52 underwent ILVA‐left subclavian artery transposition, and 24 underwent ILVA‐left common carotid artery transposition. Results: Vertebral artery dominance was left dominant in 10.6%, symmetric in 33.0%, and right dominant in 56.4% of patients. Notably, patients who underwent ligation of ILVA had either symmetric or right‐dominant vertebral arteries, with no left‐dominant cases. No strokes were observed. Paraplegia/paraparesis (11.1% versus 11.5% versus 0%, P =0.223), mechanical ventilation time (45 [10–61] hour versus 18 [11–38] hour versus 15 [11–51] hour, P =0.855), and long‐term survival (log‐rank P =0.419) were comparable among the 3 groups. Follow‐up computed tomographic angiography confirmed patency of the left vertebral artery in all patients who underwent ILVA transposition. Conclusions: Ligation of ILVA, ILVA‐left subclavian artery transposition, and ILVA‐left common carotid artery transposition are all feasible and safe strategies for managing ILVA in patients with aortic dissection undergoing total arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk.