Objective:To summarize the clinical data of Sun's procedure(total aortic arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk technique) in the treatment of complex aortic arch disease after previous cardiac surgery.Methods:From January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020, a total of 55 patients underwent resternotomy Sun's procedure in the Aortic Surgery Center of Beijing Anzhen Hospital, including 41 males and 14 females, with a mean age of(45.4±12.7) years old, were retrospectively analyzed. The indications of primary cardiac surgery included type A aortic dissection, aortic root or ascending aortic aneurysm, heart valve surgery, and coronary heart disease. Indications for reoperation included residual aortic dissection larger than 55 mm in diameter, aortic aneurysm dilation, new type A aortic dissection, anastomotic leakage with symptoms, and pseudoaneurysm. All the operations were performed under general anesthesia and median resternotomy, total aortic arch replacement with the stented elephant trunk implantation and were performed by anterograde unilateral or bilateral cerebral perfusion.Results:There was no intraoperative death, and the postoperative mortality was 9.1%(5/55). The causes of death were 2 cases of low cardiac output, 1 case of respiratory failure, 1 case of cerebral complications, and 1 case of gastrointestinal bleeding. Except death, there were 2 cases of postoperative cerebral complications(2/50, 4%), 5 cases of spinal cord injury(transient paraplegia)(5/50, 10%), the median duration of ventilator use was 17 hours(14-42 h). Other postoperative complications included respiratory insufficiency requiring ventilatory support longer than 48 hours(8/50, 16%), renal insufficiency requiring temporary dialysis(2/50, 4%). The follow-up time was(25.9±11.2) months(10-47 months), during which 1 case died due to cerebral complication, 4 cases underwent total thoracoabdominal aorta replacement, and 1 case underwent anastomotic leakage repair.Conclusion:It is safe and effec to perform Sun's procedure(total aortic arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk technique) in the treatment of complex arch disease after previous cardiac surgery.

The end of the COVID-19 infection peak in 2022 prompts a backlog of cardiovascular surgical patients to gradually return to the hospital, resulting in a surge in cardiovascular surgeries. However, against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the clinical practice of cardiovascular surgery faces many problems. Therefore, organized by Beijing Anzhen Hospital, experts in cardiovascular surgery and related fields have formulated hospital expert experience on perioperative treatment principles of cardiovascular surgery for patients infected with COVID-19. This article summarizes the clinical decision-making of patients requiring cardiovascular surgery after COVID-19 infection, and advises on the corresponding recommendations according to the existing evidence-based medical evidence as well as the actual clinical practice experience of relevant experts. The main content of the article includes special requirements for cardiovascular surgical treatment indications in patients with COVID-19 infection, selection of surgical timing, special requirements of preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative management, etc., which aims to provide COVID-19-infected patients with guidance on rational decision-making when receiving cardiovascular surgery.

Objective    To evaluate the preoperative risk factors for acute Stanford type A aortic dissection (ASTAAD) patients in our country by collecting multi-center data. Methods    We consecutively enrolled 700 patients who underwent surgery for ASTAAD in the multi-center hospital database from January 2018 to January 2020. According to the ascending aorta size (AAS), the patients were divided into two groups: a group AAS≥55 mm and a group AAS< 55 mm. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the related preoperative risk factors for the onset of ASTAAD. Results    According to the exclusion criteria, a total of 621 patients were finally enrolled, including 453 males and 168 females with an average age of 48.24±11.51 years, and 509 (81.94%) patients had AAS< 55 mm. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses showed that smoking, hypertension, preoperative cardiac troponin I, and left ventricular ejection fraction were related to the occurrence of ASTAAD. The mortality rate of the patient during hospitalization was 13.04% (81 patients). Conclusion    In clinical practice, various preoperative risk factors affect ASTAAD patients, which should be paid attention to. Comprehensive evaluation and an individualized analysis of patients and timely prevention and intervention improve patients' survival rate.

Objective:To summarize the clinical outcomes and experience of redo median sternotomy on proximal aortic repair. Investigate the relationship between first operation and reoperation, reoperation indications, cardiopulmonary bypass strategy, intraoperative technical details, early and mid-term postoperative results.Methods:There were 28 patients underwent 29 times of redo median sternotomy on proximal aorta from April 2017 to December 2019. There were 23 males (79.3%) with an average age of (45.1±12.7) years (26-79 years), 15 Marfan syndrome (15/29, 51.7%) and 3 Behcet's disease (3/29, 10.3%). The primary operation included aortic valve or mitral valve replacement, Bentall procedure, ascending aortic replacement, simultaneous abdominal aortic replacement, Sun's procedure and coronary artery bypass grafting. The indications for reoperation were: aortic root aneurysm or coronary artery aneurysm, anastomotic leakage, perivalvular leakage due to inflammatory aortic disease, acute or chronic type A aortic dissection and aortic root abscess, aortic arch aneurysm. The surgical methods were Bentall, Cabrol, wheat, aortic valve sparing root replacement with replantation, anastomotic leakage repair, CABG, total arch replacement + stent elephant trunk implantation (Sun's procedure), ascending aorta to abdominal aorta bypass, abdominal aortic replacement.Results:One patient (3.4%) died in hospital because of severe postoperative pulmonary complications, consolidation of both lungs, ARDS and hypoxia. Postoperative low cardiac output was occurred in 2 cases (6.9%), 1 case was cured by ECMO, and 1 case died half a year after operation during follow up period. Re-exploration for postoperative hemorrhage was occurred in three cases (10.3%). Renal failure requires dialysis was 3 cases (10.3%), and transient paresis was 1 cases (3.4%), respectively. All of them were recovered before discharge. During the follow-up period, one patient died of multiple organ failure due to low cardiac output, and one patient underwent total thoracoabdominal aortic replacement. One patient underwent Cabrol for aneurysm of the coronary artery after Bentall procedure. One year later, type A dissection occurred again and Sun's procedure was performed through a median sternotomy.Conclusion:Reoperation of proximal aorta after cardiac and aortic surgery is safe and effective, with good short-term and medium-term results. Comprehensive preoperative evaluation, successful sternotomy, establishment of cardiopulmonary bypass and effective organ protection are the key to successful operation. Patients with aortic diseases, especially Marfan syndrome, are more likely to undergo reoperation. Close follow-up and timely reoperation are necessary to avoid aortic rupture. Sun's procedure is suitable for redo complex arch operation.

Objective:To explore the correlation between intraoperative cooling temperature and postoperative neurological prognosis in aortic arch surgery.Methods:We observed and collected data from 118 patients who underwent open arch replacement surgery by a single surgeon with mild-to-moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest, from January 2017 to December 2020, in Beijing Anzhen Hospital. According to the bladder temperature during the circulation arrest, 118 patients were divided into 3 groups: T1 group[n=39, (25.58±0.64)℃]; T2 group[n=39, (28.21±0.77)℃]; T3 group[n=40, (30.95±0.97)℃]. Clinical data and operative data were analyzed to assess difference between these 3 groups. Analyze the risk factors of postoperative neurological complications, and explore further the correlation between intraoperative core temperature and postoperative neurological prognosis.Results:Among the 118 patients, the average operation, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), block, circulatory arrest, and selective cerebral perfusion (SCP) time were 6.64 h, 188.5 min, 104.19 min, 23.93 min, 28.81 min, respectively. The in-hospital death occurred in 8 patients(6.78%), and permanent neurological dysfunction (PND) in 13 patients(11.02%), transient neurological dysfunction (TND) in 25 patients(21.19%). There was no significant difference in the deaths among the three groups. The incidence of TND and PND in the T3 group was significantly reduced ( P=0.042; P=0.045). In addition, the volume of drainage during the first 24 h and the incidence of re-exploration for bleeding had a relatively obvious decreasing trend ( P=0.005; P=0.012). Through multiple regression analysis, under the adjusted model, the core temperature was independently correlated with the incidence of postoperative PND ( OR=0.51; 95% CI: 0.27-0.97; P=0.0389); in group comparison, the relatively higher core temperature was an independent protective factor for postoperative PND ( OR=0.04; 95% CI: 0.00-0.91; P=0.0434). Conclusion:Our research had preliminary proved that in the open arch replacement surgery, mild hypothermia can reduce the incidence of some complications of deep hypothermia, at the same time improve the prognosis of the neurological prognosis, reduce the incidence of postoperative PND.

Objective:To investigate the preoperative ascending aorta diameter in patients with acute type A aortic dissection in the Chinese population, compares and analyze the differences in preoperative blood biomarkers, and evaluate the impact of the preoperative ascending aorta diameter in this part of patients on the short-term prognosis of patients.Methods:A collection of 641 patients with acute type A aortic dissection who were enrolled in the " Acute Aortic Syndrome High-Risk Early Warning and Intervention Study" project from January 2018 to January 2020 were collected. Divide the patients into two groups (group Ⅰ<55 mm, group Ⅱ≥55 mm) according to the preventive intervention value of ascending aorta diameter recommended by the guideline for studying preoperative ascending aorta diameter difference in blood biomarkers and the influence of ascending aorta diameter on the short-term prognosis of patients. All patients had CT scans to assess the diameter of the ascending aorta before operation.Results:In this study, all patients with acute type A aortic dissection had a mean preoperative ascending aorta diameter of (46.9±9.7)mm. The preoperative ascending aorta diameter of all patients was less than 55 mm, accounted for 84.1%. Male patients were more likely to have aortic dissection than females; most patients' age was less than 60 years old. The preoperative blood inflammatory index counts were higher in the ascending aorta diameter ≥55 mm group. However, the long-term prognosis of patients with different ascending aorta diameters before surgery was not apparent in this study. The preoperative survival rate and short-term survival rate of patients with ascending aorta diameter <55 mm were higher than those of other groups, but the difference was not statistically significant.Conclusion:In patients with acute type A aortic dissection, the diameter of the ascending aorta is usually less than 55 mm. Moreover, the blood inflammatory index counts are high in the preoperative ascending aorta diameter ≥55 mm group. Meanwhile, patients with smaller ascending aorta diameter have better survival rate and short-term prognosis.

Objective:Analysis the protective effect of the partial femoral to femoral cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) on thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair(TAAAR).Methods:From September 2016 to August 2020, 50 cases of TAAAR under partial CPB were performed at our hospital. Thirty males and 20 females with an average age of(40.5±12.4) years old(ranging 21 to 69 years old) were involved. Partial CPB without selective organ perfusion were applied at the early stage. Since November 2019, the adjunct of perfuse the celiac and superior mesenteric artery with warm blood and irrigate the renal artery with 4℃ HTK solution was used in TAAAR, and 25 patients were operated under this adjunct.Results:The average CPB time was(116.9±35.4) min, the lowest central body temperature during the partial CPB was(34.7±0.7)℃. Total early postoperative mortality was 6%(3/50, 3 deaths in partial CPB alone group). Paraplegia occurred in 4 cases(8%), new happened postoperative hemodialysis was in 6 cases(16%). Among the hemodialysis event, 2 cases(8%, 2/25) were in the group with selective organ perfusion, and 4 cases(16%, 4/25) in the group without using the adjunct.Conclusion:Mild hypothermic partial cardiopulmonary bypass combined with selective organ perfusion have protective effects on spinal cord and abdominal organ in patients underwent TAAAR.

Objective:To explore the application of cannulating the ischemic femoral and right axillary artery in Sun’s procedure for acute type A aortic dissection with lower extremity ischemia.Methods:Twelve patients of acute Stanford type A aortic dissection complicated by lower extremity ischemia were analyzed retrospectively between July 2017 and May 2019, and the right axillary and ischemic femoral artery were used for cardiopulmonary bypass. All the 12 patients were male and categorized as the complicated Stanford type A aortic dissection. The mean age was(48.4±8.4)years, and the median time from symptom onset to emergency operation was 24.00(18.50, 43.25)hours. Eleven patients presented with unilateral extremity ischemia, while bilateral extremity ischemia occurred in one. The prosthetic vessel, with a diameter of 8 mm, was anastomosed to the ischemic femoral artery via an end-to-side way. Both the right axillary artery and the prosthetic vessel were cannulated for CPB. For the proximal dissection in this cohort of patients, we performed Bentall procedure in 5 cases, ascending aortic replacement in 3, and the aortic valve commissure reconstruction with ascending aortic replacement in 4. Total arch replacement with stented elephant trunk implantation were carried out for arch and descending aortic lesion in 12 cases.Results:Early mortality was 8.3%(1/12). The time of CPB, aortic clamp, circulatory arrest, and selective cerebral perfusion averaged(204.6±26.3) min, (114.6±16.6) min, (23.4±8.5) min, and(33.5±11.0) min, respectively. Five patients underwent concomitant bypass procedures, including: ascending aorta-bilateral femoral artery bypass in 1, ascending aorta-right femoral artery bypass in 3, ascending aorta-left femoral artery bypass in 1. Acute renal failure with continuous renal replacement therapy occurred in 4 cases, re-thoratomy for hemaostsis in 1, and re-intubation in 1. One patient developed osteofascial compartment syndrome after aortic repair, and consequent left lower extremity compartment fasciotomy was performed. The mean follow-up time was(17.2±7.6)months, and no aortic-related adverse event was detected during follow up.Conclusion:To acute Stanford type A aortic dissection with lower extremity ischemia, cannulating the ischemic femoral and right axillary artery in Sun’s procedure were associated with lower perioperative mortality and better prognosis.

Objective:To study the risk factors of massive bleeding in patients with acute Stanford type A aortic dissection undergoing moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest repair.Methods:From January 2016 to October 2017, 486 consecutive patients with acute type A aortic dissection were included in the study. All operations were performed with moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest. The basic clinical data of patients were collected retrospectively. Massive bleeding was defined according to definition of Universal Definition of Perioperative Bleeding(UDPB) 4 class and the Blood Conservation Using Antifibrinolytics in a Randomized Trial(BART). Significant variables in univariate analysis were included in multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results:Thirty-four patients(7.00%) died in hospital. A total of one hundred and eighty-seven patients(38.48%) fulfilled criteria of the definition of BART massive bleeding. Forty-five patients(9.26%), 8 patients(1.65%), 114 patients(23.46%), 147 patients(30.25%) and 172 patients(35.39%) were in grade 0, grade 1, grade 2 and grade 4, respectively. With BART as the end point, the result of multivariate logistic regression showed that female gender( OR=3.32, P<0.001), anemia( OR=2.24, P=0.04), clearance creatine≤85 ml/min( OR=1.93, P=0.01), D-dimer level(every 500 ng/ml increase, OR=1.02, P=0.003), cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) time( OR=1.01, P<0.001), total arch replacement(TAR, OR=2.40, P=0.02) were independent risk factors for massive bleeding, and the time from onset to operation( OR=0.86, P=0.01) was protective factor. With UDPB 4 class as the end point, multivariate logistic regression showed that creatinine clearance≤85 ml/min( OR=2.05, P=0.001), CPB time( OR=1.01, P=0.04) were independent risk factors for massive bleeding. The time from anset to operation( OR=0.85, P=0.002) and Bentall procedure( OR=0.65, P=0.04) were the protective factors. Conclusion:Massive bleeding was more common in acute Stanford type A aortic dissection. Female gender, poor preoperative renal function, high D-dimer level, early time accepting surgical operation and long CPB were independent risk factors. For high-risk patients, simple and effective surgical methods should be taken to reduce the risk of bleeding.

Objective:Acute type A dissection with mitral regurgitation was very rare. To sum up our experience of surgical treatment of acute type A dissection with mitral regurgitation.Methods:From October 2010 to January 2017, 17 patients with acute type A dissection with mitral regurgitation underwent surgical treatment. There were 12 males, 5 females; mean age, (38±11) years(range, 18-59 years). Hypertension was noted in 9 patients, Marfan syndrome in 2 patients, renal dysfuction in 3 patients, cardiac dysfunction in 3 patients, lower limb ischemia was observed in 2 patients and dilated cardiomyopathy in one patient. Preoperative abdominal aortic replacement was observed in one case.Results:Concomitant procedures included Bentall procedure in 16 patients, aortic arch operation in 15 patients, tricuspid valve plasty in 3 patients, coronary artery bypass grafting in 2 patients and asceding aorta - femoral artery bypass in one patient. 11 patients required mechanical ventilation for <24 hours, 3 cases for <48 hours and 3 subjects for > 48 hours. Continuous renal replacement therapy was required in 3 patients, re-operation in one patient and partial pericardial excision in one patient. One patient was out of follow-up. The remaining had a normal life during follow-up.Conclusion:Repair of acute type A dissection with mitral regurgitation carried with a relatively high mortality and morbidity. Under better protection of heart and cerebrum, it obtained accepted surgical results in patients with this lesion