Aorta ; surgery ; Aorta, Thoracic ; surgery ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

According to the literature, only a small proportion of occurrences regarding penetrating trauma of the thoracic aorta can be treated successfully. Herein we reported our experience of a recent rescue of such a patient in a countryside hospital lacking advanced instruments for cardiopulmonary bypass operations. A 20-year-old male was admitted for a penetrating injury with disrupted innominate vein and right common carotid artery together with a 1.5-cm laceration on the aortic arch between the innominate artery and the left common carotid artery. The patient was successfully saved without the implementation of cardiopulmonary bypass. Presentation and management in this case were discussed.
Adult ; Aorta, Thoracic ; injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Wounds, Penetrating ; surgery

We report a case of newly developed aortic dissection after aorta cannulation during mitral valve surgery in a patient with Marfan syndrome. An unexpected fatal complication of cardiac surgery detected on postoperative imaging survey in Marfan syndrome patient and its surgical finding are described.
Aorta ; Catheterization ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Marfan Syndrome ; Mitral Valve ; Thoracic Surgery

Adult ; Aorta, Thoracic ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Heart Arrest, Induced ; Humans ; Male

Late vascular complications involving aorta are rare but devastating adversities following anterior thoracic spine operations are present. The current article describes our experience with one such patient who had an iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm of the thoracic aorta, mimicking infection. The patient was treated successfully following concomitant efforts by multidisciplinary experts with shunting. We wish to highlight upon the significance of recognizing the possible sinister consequences of a dangerously prominent spinal implant and the role of a suspicious surgeon in identifying these menacing complications at the right time.
Aneurysm, False ; Aorta, Thoracic ; surgery ; Humans ; Iatrogenic Disease ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUNDThe insufficiency of the proximal landing zone (PLZ) is a frequent factor challenging the applicability and efficacy of endovascular repair (EVR) for thoracic aortic disorders. This study discusses two strategies for conquering this challenge.

METHODSTen patients underwent EVR for thoracic aortic diseases during a one-year period ending June 30, 2004. Nine patients had DeBakey type III dissecting aortic aneurysm (DAA), and one had descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (DTAA). The PLZ, defined as the distance from the origin of the left subclavian artery (LSA) to the primary entry tear of the dissection or to the proximal aspect of DTAA, was less than 15 mm in all instances. EVR with intentional coverage of the LSA without any supportive bypass was employed in 6 patients with DAA, and the preliminary right-left carotid and left carotid-subclavian bypass combined with EVR in the DTAA and other 3 DAA cases.

RESULTSTechnical success was achieved in all the patients. The patient with DTAA died from hemispheric cerebral infarction and subsequent multiple system organ failure following an uneventful recovery from the cervical reconstruction performed 1 week previously. In cases receiving the EVR with intentional coverage of the LSA, in two patients dizziness occurred, which noticeably resolved after intravenous administration of mannitol for 4 to 5 days, and a drop in blood pressure of the left arm was noted in all the cases, but remained clinically silent. No neurological deficits or limb ischaemia developed perioperatively or during the followup, ranging from 3 to 12 months, and complete thrombosis of the thoracic aortic false lumen was revealed on CT at 3 months in the 9 patients with DAA.

CONCLUSIONSBoth the intentional bypass absent coverage of the LSA and the adjunctive surgical bypass appear to be feasible and effective in managing the insufficiency of the PLZ during the endovascular thoracic aortic repair.

Pedicled omentoplasty is effective in thoracic surgery, but it is associated with several postoperative complications. A case of diaphragmatic hernia as a complication of pedicled omentoplasty in a 65-year-old male is reported. Because aortoesophageal fistula occurred three months after the patch aortoplasty for mycotic aneurysm of descending thoracic aorta, he underwent ascending thoracic aorta to abdominal aorta bypass surgery with resection of thoracic aortic aneurysm and esophagorrhaphy with wrapping of the esophageal suture line and the stumps of aorta with pedicled omental flap. Three years after the operation, herniation of the stomach developed. The pedicled omental flap was ligated and divided, and the diaphragm defect was repaired.
Aged ; Aneurysm, Infected ; Aorta ; Aorta, Abdominal ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; Diaphragm ; Fistula ; Hernia, Diaphragmatic* ; Humans ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; Stomach ; Surgical Flaps ; Sutures ; Thoracic Surgery

BACKGROUND: Appropriate placement of aortic and venous cannulas is important to ensure effective systemic perfusion. The malposition of the aortic cannula may promote preferential flow down the aorta or induce flow to aortic arch vessels causing pressure gradient between mean radial arterial pressure (RAP) and femoral arterial pressure (FAP). In this study we compared mean radial to femoral artery pressure gradient before and immediately after aortic cannulation and during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). METHODS: Ninety two pediatric patients undergoing open heart surgery were examined. After induction of anesthesia RAP and FAP were measured. The pressure gradient was measured before and after aortic cannulation, 15, 30 and 60 minutes after aortic cross clamping (ACC). When the pressure gradient of more than 10 mmHg developed, the surgeon was recommended to manipulate position of the aortic cannula. If the pressure gradient returned to pre-CPB level after manipulation, the pressure gradient was considered to develop due to aortic cannula. The age, presence of cyanosis, adjustment of shape of aortic cannula tip before cannulation and side of radial artery cannulation as factors developing pressure gradient were examined. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (16.3%) developed pressure gradient due to position of aortic cannula. Two patients (2.2%) developed immediately after aortic cannulation and fourteen patients (15.2%) during CPB. There was no statistically significant factor developing pressure gradient except non-cyanotic disease. CONCLUSIONS: The pediatric patient could develop pressure gradient due to malposition of aortic cannula frequently during CPB. Therefore, the simultaneous monitoring of RAP and FAP may be beneficial for managing CPB in pediatric cardiac surgery.
Anesthesia ; Aorta ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Arterial Pressure ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Catheterization ; Catheters* ; Constriction ; Cyanosis ; Femoral Artery* ; Humans ; Perfusion ; Radial Artery ; Thoracic Surgery*

We describe aortic arch endarterectomy performed concomitantly with on-pump cardiac surgery in 2 patients with grade V arch atherosclerosis. In both patients, transesophageal echocardiographic findings led to the diagnosis of severe arch atherosclerosis associated with a mobile atheromatous plaque in the aortic arch. The severe arch atherosclerosis was managed with endarterectomy under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. In patients with severe grade V atherosclerosis in the aortic arch, performing endarterectomy simultaneously with primary cardiac surgery may be justified as a way to reduce the risk of peripheral embolism, including cerebrovascular accidents, with minimal additional surgical risk.
Aorta ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Atherosclerosis ; Circulatory Arrest, Deep Hypothermia Induced ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography ; Embolism ; Endarterectomy ; Humans ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; Stroke ; Thoracic Surgery

Right aortic arch, a congenital malformation of the great vessels, can cause compression of trachea and/or esophagus. We experienced a case of ventilatory compromise in an infant with tetralogy of Fallot and right aortic arch immediately after insertion of transesophageal echocardiography probe during cardiac surgery. Although intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography can be safely performed in infants with congenital heart disease, it should be done with caution in patient with similar vascular malformation.
Aorta, Thoracic ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Esophagus ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Infant ; Tetralogy of Fallot ; Thoracic Surgery ; Trachea ; Vascular Malformations