Objective To describe the outcomes of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for patients after aortic surgery and to summarize the experience. Methods The clinical data of patients who received ECMO support after aortic surgery in Fuwai Hospital from 2009 to 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients who received an aortic dissection surgery were allocated into a dissection group, and the other patients were allocated into a non-dissection group. The in-hospital and follow-up survival rates were compared between the two groups, and the causes of death were analyzed. Results A total of 22 patients were enrolled, including 17 patients in the dissection group [13 males and 4 females, with a median age of 54 (46, 61) years] and 5 patients in the non-dissection group [3 males and 2 females, with a median age of 51 (41, 65) years]. There was no statistical difference in the age and gender between the two groups (P>0.05). The in-hospital survival rate (11.8% vs. 100.0%, P=0.001) and follow-up survival rate (11.8% vs. 80.0%, P=0.009) of the patients in the dissection group were significantly lower than those in the non-dissection group. The causes of death in the dissection group included massive bleeding and disseminated intravascular coagulation (3 patients), ventricular thrombosis (1 patient), irreversible brain injury (2 patients), visceral malperfusion syndrome (4 patients) and irreversible heart failure (5 patients). Conclusion ECMO after aortic dissection surgery is associated with high mortality, which is related to the pathological features of aortic dissection and severely disrupted coagulation system after the surgery. For these patients, strict indication selection and optimal management strategy are important.

Objective    To summarize the surgical strategy of reoperative aortic root replacement after prior aortic valve replacement (AVR), and analyze the early and mid-term outcomes. Methods    From April 2013 to January 2020, 75 patients with prior AVR underwent reoperative aortic root replacement in Fuwai Hospital. There were 54 males and 21 females with a mean age of 56.4±12.7 years. An emergent operation was performed in 14 patients and an elective operation in 61 patients. The indications were aortic root aneurysm in 38 patients, aortic dissection involving aortic root in 30 patients, root false aneurysm in 2 patients, prosthesis valve endocarditis with root abscess in 2 patients, and Behçet's disease with root destruction in 3 patients. The survival and freedom from aortic events during the follow-up were evaluated with the Kaplan-Meier survival curve and the log-rank test. Results    The operative procedures included prosthesis-sparing root replacement in 45 patients, Bentall procedure in 26 patients, and Cabrol procedure in 4 patients. Operative mortality was 1.3% (1/75). A composite of adverse events occurred in 5 patients, including operative death (n=1), stroke (n=1), and acute renal injury necessitating hemodialysis (n=3). The follow-up was available for all 74 survivors, with the mean follow-up time of 0.5-92.0 (30.3±25.0) months. Four late deaths occurred during the follow-up. The survival rate at 1 year, 3 years and 6 years was 97.2%, 91.4% and 84.4%, respectively. Aortic events developed in 2 patients. The rate of freedom from aortic events at 1 year, 3 years, and 6 years was 98.7%, 95.0% and 87.7%, respectively. There was no difference in rate of survival or freedom from aortic events between the elective patients and the emergent patients. Conclusion    Reoperative aortic root replacement after prior AVR can be performed to treat the root pathologies after AVR, with acceptable early and mid-term outcomes.

Objective:A residual false lumen progress risk prediction model was constructed based on computational fluid dynamics and biomechanical parameters were calculated to assess the factors affecting the long-term reintervention after the first operation.Methods:Patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection admitted to Fuwai hospital were retrospectively collected and divided into control group and thoracoabdominal aortic replacement group according to long-term prognosis or history of reintervention. The fluid parameters of the descending aorta were calculated based on the early CTA imaging data after first operation. The differences of parameters between the two groups were compared to explore the risk factors.Results:A total of 24 patients were included from January 2015 to May 2021. The average age was(47.88±9.84) years old, 21(87.5%) male, and 3 female. The balance position of luminal pressure difference in the descending aorta was closer to the opening of the left subclavicular artery[(22.00±3.91)cm vs.(36.00±1.77)cm, P<0.001], and the false lumen pressure was greater than the true lumen pressure in the thoracoabdominal aortic replacement group. Conclusion:The computational fluid dynamics method can simplify and visualize the complex human blood flow and postoperative structure based on the mathematical model. The lumen pressure balance point moving to the proximal are the risk factors for poor remodeling of the descending aorta and reintervention.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of adventitial inversion technique for root repair in patients with acute type A aortic dissection(ATAAD).Methods:Between 2015 and 2018, ATAAD patients with dissected root and underwent open surgery were included. The exclusion criteria were as follows: previous root intervention, traumatic dissection and patient underwent root replacement(Bentall or David procedure). 490 ATAAD patients were included, 366(74.69%) male and 124(25.31%) female, aged(51.28±10.99) years(range 24-77 years). The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed with ANOVA/ nonparametric test and Chi- square test. Follow-up mortality and reoperation were displayed with Kaplan- Meier curve. Results:All patients were technically divided into three groups: adventitial inversion(A), direct suture(B) and Cabrol-shunt(C). The mean age in group A was(53.05±11.09) years, whereas worse cardiac and renal function occurred in group C. The mean duration of HCA, CPB and ACC were shortest, with a highest average of minimum rectal temperature during surgical interval in group A. Postoperative complications and early mortality were similar among groups. There were no significant differences of mid-term mortality and reoperation among these three techniques. Though no late reintervention for aortic root was found in both group A and B, the root diameter was more stable in group A during follow-up period[(33.14±3.74)mm vs.(34.51±3.83)mm vs.(33.89±3.89)mm, P=0.008]. Conclusion:Adventitial inversion technique is safe and effective for root repair in patients with ATAAD, achieving satisfactory short- and mid-term effects.

Objective:To evaluate the short-term outcomes of aortic root repair using a pericardial autograft for acute type A aortic dissection.Methods:Between January 2020 and August 2021, 12 patients underwent aortic root repair using a pericardial autograft for type A aortic dissection. There were 8 males and 4 females, aged from 32.0 to 71.0 years, with a mean of (49.1±13.0) years, weight from 40.0 to 100.0 with a mean of (78.6±20.5) kg. Short-term outcomes were assessed by cardiopulmonary bypass time, cross-clamp time, circulatory arrest time, mechanical ventilation time, ICU time, postoperative stay time. The diameter of Valsalva sinus and aortic regurgitation were assessed before, after operation and during follow-up.Results:There were no postoperative and follow-up death. Cardiopulmonary bypass time was(256.4±60.6)min, ranging from 182.0 to 243.0 minutes; cross-clamp time was(195.0±52.5)minutes, ranging from 127.0 to 284.0 minutes; circulatory arrest time was(19.9±3.6)min, ranging from 15.0 to 25.0 min; mechanical ventilation time was (69.1±72.1)hours, ranging from 6.4 to 250.3 h; ICU time was (143.6±81.7) h, ranging from 56.9 to 288.0 h; postoperative stay time was (12.8±4.1) days, ranging from 8.0 to 20.0 days. One patient had transient paralysis (8.3%), and one patient needed hemofiltration due to acute kidney failure (8.3%), they all completely recovered before discharge. Follow-up time ranged from 10.0 to 21.0 months, with a median of 13 months. Heart function (NYHA) was I to II degrees. The mean diameter of aortic root was (36.7±5.8)mm(27.0-45.0 mm) preoperatively, (35.8±5.1)mm (25.0-44.8 mm) before discharge, and (35.7±5.9)mm (25.1-44.8 mm) during follow-up, respectively. There was no significant difference between them ( P>0.05). The preoperative aortic regurgitation was as follow: severe aortic regurgitation 2, moderate 1, mild to moderate 3, mild 1, trivial 1, none 4; postoperative aortic regurgitation: mild 2, trivial 2, none 8; follow-up aortic regurgitation: mild 3, trivial 1, none 8. Conclusion:Aortic root repair with a pericardial autograft is a safe and effective technique to treat acute type A dissection involving the sinus. Using this technique, residual dissection tissues could be significantly reduced, which subsequently decreases the risk of proximal bleeding, maintains the function of sinus, and increases long-term durability. Short-term results are satisfactory, and the long-term results need further follow-up.

Objective:To compare the mid-term result of two different valve-sparing root replacement techniques in acute type A aortic dissection: including reimplantation and remodeling.Methods:From March 2009 to December 2019, 41 patients with acute type A dissection and root involvement, who underwent a valve-sparing root replacement using reimplantation(36 cases) or remodeling(5 cases) were retrospectively analyzed in current study. The average age was(44.63±11.34) years old, 36 males. The differences of perioperative variables, postoperative aortic insufficiency and postoperative survival were compared between the two groups.Results:Thirty-day mortality for two groups was 2.8% and 20%( P=0.23). Remodeling group was significantly inferior to reimplantation group in terms of blood consumption(red blood cells, plasma and platelets), postoperative mechanical ventilation time, reoperation for bleeding and hemofiltration for acute renal failure. The median follow-up time of 39 discharged survivors was 34.56(3-121) months, and the follow-up rate was 100%. There was no follow-up death, no bleeding or embolism events, and no cardiovascular reoperation. Grade 2 or sever aortic regurgitation in remodeling group was significantly higher than that in reimplantation group( P=0.02). A Cox regression analysis identified that the remodeling technique was the independent risk factors of postoperative aortic regurgitation. Conclusion:Compared with remodeling technique, reimplantation technique has better perioperative and mid-term results in patients with acute type A aortic dissection. The rate of reoperation for bleeding, the blood consumption and the postoperative aortic regurgitation are significantly reduced. The long-term results need further follow-up.

Objective:To evaluate the short-term outcomes of cuff wrapping technique using remnant aortic wall in modified Bentall procedure.Methods:Between January 2018 and December 2018, 23 patients underwent modified Bentall procedure with the remnant aortic wall as a cuff to cover the sewing area of composite valved graft and the aortic annulus for proximal hemostasis. After the sewing ring of the composite valved graft was sutured to the aortic annulus by continuous suture, the remnant aortic wall was sutured to the graft just distal to the sewing ring by continuous suture. There were 21 males and 2 females, aged from 22 to 72 with a mean of(50.96±13.23)years. Short-term outcomes were assessed by cardiopulmonary bypass time, clamp aorta time, mechanical ventilation time, ICU time, postoperative stay time, effusion drainage till the first postoperative day, Left ventricular end diastolic diameter(LVEDD), left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF), and follow-up results.Results:There were no postoperative and follow-up death. Cardiopulmonary bypass time was(157.74±39.85)min, ranged from 114 to 275 min; clamp aorta time(122.61±30.25)min, ranged from 84 to 212 min; mechanical ventilation time(11.65±3.08)h, ranged from 7.87 to 20.33 h; ICU time(81.43±45.88) h, ranged from 15.18 to 184.77 h; postoperative stay time(8.73±2.80)days, ranged from 6 to 15 days. Effusion drainage was(336.82±117.65)ml, ranged from 200 to 670 ml till the first postoperative day. Follow-up was performed from 19 to 30 months, with a mean of(23.17±3.17)months. There were significant differences between preoperative LVEDD and postoperative LVEDD before discharge[(49.78±6.21)mm vs.(58.78±10.54)mm, P<0.05]; There were a little decrease of follow-up LVEDD compared with postoperative LVEDD, but no significant difference between them[(48.87±4.63)mm vs.(49.78±6.21)mm, P>0.05] . There were a little decrease of postoperative LVEF compared with preoperative LVEF, but no significant difference between them(0.57±0.07 vs. 0.59±0.05, P>0.05). There were significant differences between follow-up LVEF and preoperative LVEF(0.62±0.04 vs. 0.57±0.07, P<0.05), postoperative LVEF before discharge( P<0.05). Conclusion:Cuff wrapping technique using remnant aortic wall in modified Bentall procedure has got good short-term results. This modification may be a simple, effective way in controlling proximal bleeding.

Objective:To examine the early outcome of valve sparing aortic root replacement with reimplantation technique (David procedure) with partial upper sternotomy.Methods:From April 2016 to April 2020, 31 patients underwent valve sparing aortic root replacement under partial upper sternotomy at Vascular Surgery Center, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College. There were 28 males and 3 females, aging (44±13) years (range: 11 to 65 years). Preoperative aortic regurgitation was found greater than moderate in 15 patients, moderate in 6 patients and less than moderate in 10 patients. The diameter of aortic annulus was (26±3) mm (range: 21 to 34 mm), the diameter of aortic sinus was (51±6) mm (range: 41 to 68 mm), the diameter of ascending aorta was (43±8) mm (range: 26 to 62 mm). The preoperative ejection fraction was (65±4) % (range: 59% to 72%) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter was (55±6) mm (range: 42 to 68 mm). All cases were treated with David Ⅰ procedure, including simple David procedure in 26 patients, David+ascending aorta and partial aortic arch replacement in 3 patients, David+thoracic endovascular aortic repair in 1 patient, David+stent elephant trunk implantation in 1 patient.Results:The operation time, cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross-clamping time were (330±58) minutes (range: 214 to 481 minutes), (138±23) minutes (range: 106 to 192 minutes) and (108±17) minutes (range: 82 to 154 minutes), respectively. There were no death and serious complications (stroke, myocardial infarction, renal insufficiency, severe infection, etc.). The postoperative drainage volume within 24 hours was (314±145) ml (range: 130 to 830 ml). The intubation time was (14±3) hours (range: 8 to 21 hours), and the ICU time was ( M( Q R)) 2.1(1.5) days (range: 1.0 to 5.0 days). Eight patients had no blood transfusion, the proportion of red blood cell use was 9.7% (3/31), plasma use was 22.6% (7/31), and platelet use was 71.0% (22/31). The postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction was (62±4)% (range: 54% to 69%), and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter was (48±4) mm (range: 39 to 56 mm). After operation, aortic regurgitation was significantly improved, with no more than moderate regurgitation, small to moderate regurgitation in 3 patients, minor regurgitation in 3 patients, micro regurgitation in 12 patients and no regurgitation in 13 patients. The follow-up period was 3.5(6.1) months (range: 2.0 to 39.0 months). Echocardiographic follow-up data were obtained in 26 cases, including moderate regurgitation in 1 patient, small to moderate regurgitation in 9 patients, minor regurgitation in 5 patients, micro regurgitation in 6 patients and no regurgitation in 5 patients. There were no major adverse cardiovascular events and aortic events during the follow-up period. No patient was reoperated for aortic regurgitation. Conclusion:Valve sparing aortic root replacement under partial upper sternotomy is safe and feasible, and the early result is satisfactory.

Objective:To examine the early outcome of valve sparing aortic root replacement with reimplantation technique (David procedure) with partial upper sternotomy.Methods:From April 2016 to April 2020, 31 patients underwent valve sparing aortic root replacement under partial upper sternotomy at Vascular Surgery Center, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College. There were 28 males and 3 females, aging (44±13) years (range: 11 to 65 years). Preoperative aortic regurgitation was found greater than moderate in 15 patients, moderate in 6 patients and less than moderate in 10 patients. The diameter of aortic annulus was (26±3) mm (range: 21 to 34 mm), the diameter of aortic sinus was (51±6) mm (range: 41 to 68 mm), the diameter of ascending aorta was (43±8) mm (range: 26 to 62 mm). The preoperative ejection fraction was (65±4) % (range: 59% to 72%) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter was (55±6) mm (range: 42 to 68 mm). All cases were treated with David Ⅰ procedure, including simple David procedure in 26 patients, David+ascending aorta and partial aortic arch replacement in 3 patients, David+thoracic endovascular aortic repair in 1 patient, David+stent elephant trunk implantation in 1 patient.Results:The operation time, cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross-clamping time were (330±58) minutes (range: 214 to 481 minutes), (138±23) minutes (range: 106 to 192 minutes) and (108±17) minutes (range: 82 to 154 minutes), respectively. There were no death and serious complications (stroke, myocardial infarction, renal insufficiency, severe infection, etc.). The postoperative drainage volume within 24 hours was (314±145) ml (range: 130 to 830 ml). The intubation time was (14±3) hours (range: 8 to 21 hours), and the ICU time was ( M( Q R)) 2.1(1.5) days (range: 1.0 to 5.0 days). Eight patients had no blood transfusion, the proportion of red blood cell use was 9.7% (3/31), plasma use was 22.6% (7/31), and platelet use was 71.0% (22/31). The postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction was (62±4)% (range: 54% to 69%), and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter was (48±4) mm (range: 39 to 56 mm). After operation, aortic regurgitation was significantly improved, with no more than moderate regurgitation, small to moderate regurgitation in 3 patients, minor regurgitation in 3 patients, micro regurgitation in 12 patients and no regurgitation in 13 patients. The follow-up period was 3.5(6.1) months (range: 2.0 to 39.0 months). Echocardiographic follow-up data were obtained in 26 cases, including moderate regurgitation in 1 patient, small to moderate regurgitation in 9 patients, minor regurgitation in 5 patients, micro regurgitation in 6 patients and no regurgitation in 5 patients. There were no major adverse cardiovascular events and aortic events during the follow-up period. No patient was reoperated for aortic regurgitation. Conclusion:Valve sparing aortic root replacement under partial upper sternotomy is safe and feasible, and the early result is satisfactory.

Aortic arch disease is one of the research hotspots and treatment difficulties in the field of aorta, including aortic arch aneurysms, pseudoaneurysm, ulcer, dissection and intramural hematoma. By summarizing the clinical data of the vascular surgery center of Fuwai Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in the past five years and combining with the latest theories of the cutting-edge development of aortic surgery, the authors proposed the "HENDO" concept, including using hybrid technique (H), endovascular repair (Endo) and open surgery (O), properly to treat aortic arch pathologies individually. The authors advocated the establishment of HENDO team and cooperation mechanism in large aortic centers, to eliminate technical shortcomings of a single surgeon by fully mastering the three main technology clusters by teamwork. Accordingly, the best treatment for each patient can be administrated and the survival rate and quality of life can be improved eventually.