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PubMed1999

Experience with endovascular grafts in the treatment of infrarenal aortic aneurysms associated with proximal aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND: Chronic abdominal and thoracic aortic dissections often present with concomitant infrarenal aortic dilatation. We conducted a retrospective review of 6 patients treated with endovascular stent grafts for coexisting aortic dissection and infrarenal aneurysm. METHODS: Six patients with suprarenal aortic dissections and infrarenal aortic aneurysms (AAA) had their AAAs treated with endovascular grafts. Grafts were constructed of balloon expandable Palmaz stents and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft. The device was inserted transfemorally and deployed under fluoroscopy. RESULTS: Successfully primary AAA exclusion was achieved in 5 patients. One patient required a supplemental stent placed above the endograft and into the true lumen to seal the endoleak. No aneurysm has enlarged, and all remain thrombosed for 9 to 24 months (mean 20). One type III dissection enlarged 2 weeks after endograft insertion. One patient had uncomplicated cephalad fenestration of a dissection by the endograft. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular grafts may be used to treat coexisting AAA and aortic dissection. Attention to the site or sites of reentry of a dissection is essential to insure full aortic aneurysm exclusion. The fate of a chronic aortic dissection cephalad to an endovascularly treated AAA is unclear and will require longer follow-up.

Aortic Dissection↗

PubMed1998

Operation for acute and chronic aortic dissection: recent outcome with regard to neurologic deficit and early death.

BACKGROUND: We reviewed our experience in the repair of acute and chronic aortic dissection with regard to early neurologic deficit and death. METHODS: Between February 1991 and June 1996, we performed 206 operations on 195 patients for aortic dissection. Ascending or arch repair, or a combination (type A dissection) was performed on 92 of 206 patients (45%); 44 of 92 (48%) were acute dissection and 48 of 92 (52%) were chronic. Descending or thoracoabdominal repair (type B dissection) was performed on 114 of 206 patients (55%); 22 of 114 (19%) were acute and 92 of 114 (81%) were chronic. RESULTS: Among type A cases, strokes occurred in 6 of 92 patients (7%) overall; 4 of 44 (9%) were acute cases and 2 of 48 (4%) were chronic (p < 0.34). Early deaths for type A were 11 of 92 (12%) overall; 9 of 44 (20%) acute and 2 of 48 (4%) chronic (p < 0.02). In type B cases, neurologic complications were 15 of 114 (13%) overall; 7 of 22 (32%) were acute cases and 8 of 92 (9%) were chronic (p < 0.004). Early deaths for type B were 12 of 114 (11%) overall; 3 of 22 (14%) acute and 9 of 92 (10%) chronic (p < 0.6). Preoperative hypotension was significant in acute type A patients, with strokes in 2 of 7 (29%) hypotensives compared with 2 of 37 (5%) normotensives (p < 0.05) and early death in 4 of 7 (57%) hypotensives versus 5 of 37 (14%) normotensives (p < 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Morbidity and mortality for repair of chronic dissection types A and B were acceptable. Preoperative hypotension in acute type A dissection was a major predisposing factor toward stroke (29% versus 5%, p < 0.05). Acute type B dissection had acceptable mortality (14%) but a high rate of neurologic complications (32%).

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1993

Clinical features and differential diagnosis of aortic dissection: experience with 236 cases (1980 through 1990).

Acute aortic dissection is the most common fatal condition that involves the aorta; nevertheless, despite major advances in noninvasive diagnosis, the correct antemortem diagnosis is made in less than half the cases. To promote continued improvement in the prompt recognition of aortic dissection, we present a review of the Mayo Clinic experience with 235 patients who had 236 substantiated aortic dissections. At the time of initial assessment, 158 patients (67%) had acute and 78 patients (33%) had chronic aortic dissection. Hypertension was the most common predisposing factor (78% of patients overall). The acute onset of severe chest pain was the most common initial complaint (74%), but 33 patients (15%) had painless aortic dissection and abnormal chest roentgenographic findings. Less common manifestations included congestive heart failure, syncope, cerebrovascular accident, shock, paraplegia, and lower extremity ischemia. The initial clinical impression was aortic dissection in 62% of patients overall. In 17 patients (28%), the correct diagnosis was not made before postmortem examination. Although the clinical features of aortic dissection have gained wider appreciation, the diagnosis still remains unsuspected in a substantial number of patients. In a patient who has a catastrophic illness and unexplained symptoms that could be of vascular origin, especially in the presence of chest pain, aortic dissection should always be included in the differential diagnosis.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2004

[Anatomical study of the nerve supply of the trapeziometacarpal joint. Fifteen dissections].

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: When the radiological signs are minimal in patients with a painful carpal syndrome involving the trapeziometacarpal joint (TMCJ), selective articular denervation can be proposed as an alternative after failure of conservative treatment. Results have been variable, sometimes disappointing, suggesting the anatomic basis of denervation should be revisited. The purpose of this work was to study the nerve supply to the TMCJ in order to acquire the indispensable elements necessary for performing effective selective articular denervation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This anatomical study was performed by dissection under magnification (4.5-x350) of 15 upper limb cadaver specimens. The median nerve, its thenar and volar cutaneous branches and the terminal sensorial branches of the radial nerve were dissected. Articular branches to the TMCJ were carefully identified. Histological samples were taken to verify the neurological nature of the elements dissected. RESULTS: All TMCJs dissected exhibited radial and median nerve supply. Branches of the median nerve predominated in number and caliber. The volar cutaneous branch gave rise to articular branches in eleven dissections and the thenar branch gave rise to articular branches via a retrograde arciform trajectory between the short abductor and the opponens digiti pollicis in thirteen. For five dissections, the TMCJ branches arose directly from the median nerve within the carpal tunnel. At histological analysis the dissected elements were identified as nerves. DISCUSSION: There have been few anatomic studies concerning the nerve supply of the TMCJ. Unlike the findings reported by Cozzi in 1960, we did not find the dorsal sensorial branch of the radial nerve to play an exclusive or preponderant role in the innervation of the TMCJ. The median nerve supply to the TMCJ appeared to be more significant, particularly for the volar cutaneous and especially thenar branches. CONCLUSION: Total and definitive selective denervation of the TMCJ appears to be a most difficult procedure which would require a very wide access and extensive dissection, including the thenar branch which would raise the risk of significant complications.

Cadaver↗

PubMed2003

Patency and caliber of the internal jugular vein after neck dissection.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of thrombosis and change in caliber of the internal jugular vein after neck dissection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between September 1999 and December 2000, we studied 68 patients who underwent 76 neck dissection that spared the internal jugular vein. Thrombosis of the internal jugular vein was determined using duplex Doppler scans. The examination was performed about 10 days after the operation. Preoperative and postoperative imaging was available for 28 patients who underwent 32 neck dissections after April 2000. These 28 patients were divided into three groups. Group 1 consisted of 5 internal jugular veins which were treated with supraomohyoid neck dissection. Group 2 included 17 internal jugular veins which were treated with functional neck dissection. For group 3, ten patients underwent simultaneous bilateral neck dissections that spared the ipsilateral internal jugular vein with concurrent contralateral radical neck dissection. For each group, the mean ratio of the post- to pre-operative caliber of the internal jugular vein was calculated. Measurements were planned for 7 days, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The overall patency of the 76 internal jugular veins after neck dissection was 100%. In all groups, the mean ratio of the post- to pre-operative caliber of the internal jugular vein was lowest during the early postoperative period, and gradually increased within 3 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: The caliber of the internal jugular veins decreased the most during the early postoperative period; however, internal jugular vein thrombosis is uncommon.

Aged↗

PubMed1985

An evaluation of neck dissection in carcinoma of the tongue.

Forty-six neck dissection cases were performed out of 117 cases of tongue cancer occurring from 1973-1981 at the Gunma Cancer Center. Among the 47 cases, 27 were initially treated surgically. In 14 cases radium therapy was used for the primary lesion and was followed by neck dissection. In another 13 cases hemiglossectomy and neck dissection were performed together. In addition, in 19 cases neck dissection was performed as secondary treatment for metastatic nodes or for recurrence of the primary lesion following radium therapy. In the cases of neck dissection performed as initial treatment along with hemiglossectomy, 84.6% had a two-year survival rate. Neck dissection performed as a secondary treatment resulted in a 46.7% survival rate over 3 years. It is evident from these figures that neck dissection performed as initial treatment results in better prognosis for the patients. In cases where metastatic nodes are present or suspected, neck dissection and hemiglossectomy should be undertaken.

Combined Modality Therapy↗

PubMed1991

Dissection of the aorta associated with congenital malformation of the aortic valve.

The association of congenital aortic valve malformation and aortic dissection is analyzed. Over a 30 year period, 186 patients with non-iatrogenic aortic dissection were studied at necropsy. The aortic valve was tricuspid in 170 (91.4%), bicuspid in 14 (7.5%) and unicuspid in 2 (1.1%). Among the 16 patients with aortic dissection and a congenitally malformed valve, the age at death ranged from 17 to 82 years (mean 52) and 13 (81%) were men. The entrance tear of the aortic dissection was located in the ascending aorta in all 16 patients with a malformed valve but in only 68% of those with a tricuspid aortic valve. The aortic valve was stenotic in 6 of the 16 patients with a congenitally malformed valve. Fatal rupture of the false channel occurred after acute ascending aortic dissection in each of the 11 patients (none with healed dissection) who did not have operative therapy for the dissection. Two of the 16 patients with a malformed valve compared with no patient with a tricuspid aortic valve had aortic isthmic coarctation. Histologic sections of aorta from 10 patients disclosed severe degeneration of the elastic fibers of the media in 9 patients. Thus, a congenitally malformed aortic valve appears to be present at least 5 times more frequently in adults with than in those without aortic dissection, and in our patients the entrance tear was always in the ascending aorta, which usually had severe loss of elastic fibers in its media.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1984

Long-term survival of patients with treated aortic dissection.

Retrospective data on the treatment of aortic dissection at the Massachusetts General Hospital from 1963 to 1978 are reported. During this period, 160 patients with spontaneous aortic dissection were treated by definitive medical or definitive surgical therapy. Patients were classified according to type (proximal versus distal) and duration (acute versus chronic) of dissection. Long-term follow-up (mean 48 months, range 1 to 147) was available in 156 cases. Hospital and late survival in each of the categories of dissection were evaluated in relation to those features of the dissection itself and of the subsequent therapy that correlated with ultimate survival. Results show that: 1) chronic presentation was the most significant determinant of both hospital and late survival; 2) in acute dissection, prognosis was determined largely by the presence or absence of major complications, regardless of ultimate therapy; the only complication without adverse effect on survival was aortic insufficiency; 3) late survival after discharge from the hospital was similar for patients with all types of dissection and modes of therapy; and 4) the incidence of late complications from aortic dissection was lower than previously reported. Thus, the success of early definitive medical and surgical treatment was sustained on long-term follow-up.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1990

Doppler ultrasound in aortic dissections: a study of cephalic and peripheral arteries.

We investigated the role of continuous-wave Doppler ultrasound in predicting the presence of an aortic dissection prospectively in 28 patients whose diagnosis was confirmed either by arteriography or surgery (26 cases) or at autopsy (two cases). We hypothesized that dissections, by creating two channels for flow, would produce velocity disturbances detectable in accessible arteries such as the carotid, brachial, and femoral arteries. Of the 28 patients, 20 had Type I, two Type II, and six Type III dissections. Two abnormalities of the Doppler signals were found: in 18 of Type I dissections, notching was found in the systolic upslope of the velocity tracing from those arteries that were either involved in or distal to the dissection sites. Notching was much less frequent for Type II and III dissections: only one patient with Type II and two patients with Type III dissections showed notching. In addition diastolic backflow with marked aortic valvular insufficiency was present. Notching in brachiocephalic artery continuous-wave Doppler signals appears to have a high positive predictive value for Type I dissections.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Chronic beta-blocker therapy improves outcome and reduces treatment costs in chronic type B aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the medical treatment of chronic type B aortic dissection with beta-blockers versus other antihypertensive treatments in terms of their requirement for surgical intervention and treatment costs. METHODS: Case records of the 130 patients treated for aortic dissection type B in this unit between 1988 and 1997 were reviewed. Seventy-eight of 130 patients with chronic dissection have received isolated medical treatment. Seventy-one of 78 patients were discharged alive. Fifty-one of 71 received beta-blocker treatment, 20/71 were treated with other antihypertensive drugs. RESULTS: Surgery for aortic dissection became necessary in 20/71 patients (28%) during follow-up (mean, 4.2 years): 10/51 in the beta-blocker group and 9/20 in the other antihypertensive drug group. The freedom from subsequent aortic operation was 80 and 47%, respectively (P=0.001). Indications for emergency surgery were increased aortic diameter (79%), symptomatic aortic aneurysm (11%), and renal artery hypoperfusion (5%). The median hospitalization time during follow-up (dissection-related) was 2 days for patients who received beta-blockers and 16 days for patients who received other antihypertensive drug treatments (P=0.001). The cost of treatment/patient per year amounted to 644 and 12748 euros, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of patients with chronic type B dissection who receive initial medical management will later need surgery. Long-term treatment with beta-blockers reduces the progression of aortic dilatation, the incidence of subsequent hospital admissions, as well as the incidence of late dissection-related aortic procedures and the cost of treatment. Patients with chronic type B dissection need, in addition to frequent follow-up of aortic diameter, continuous treatment with beta-blocking agents.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

PubMed2003

Intramural hematoma and dissection involving ascending aorta: the clinical features and prognosis.

OBJECTIVE: The clinical features and remedies of acute aortic intramural hemorrhage (IMH) are well discussed. This study prospectively analyzes the features compared with those of Type A aortic dissection, and evaluate the treatment modalities and the prognosis with Type A IMH managed by our original program, Eighty-six consecutive patients consisted of acute type A IMH (n = 36) and dissection (n = 50) were diagnosed between January 1994 and March 2002. Patients with IMH were older (mean 67 and 60, P = 0.0017), more hypertensive (P = 0.0015), not hyperlipidemic (P = 0.0042) than those with dissection. The incidences of preoperative pericardial effusion and aortic regurgitation were significantly lower in patients with intramural hematoma than with dissection, respectively (8:28 versus 22:28, P = 0.0366, 4:32 versus 22:28, P = 0.0011). METHODS: Urgent operation was performed for the patients of IMH with cardiac tamponade or rupture and all dissections. Uncomplicated patients of the patients with IMH were treated medically. Late surgical conversion was applied for the medical treated case on any condition with persistent pain, progression to type A dissection, ruptured aneurysm, or aneurysmal enlargement (>60 mm). Operative mortality, late cardiovascular event, and long-term survival were evaluated statistically. RESULTS: Ten urgent surgical repairs were performed with type A IMH patients and one patient died postoperatively. The rest 26 patients were treated medically. The mean follow up period was 39 +/- 28 months. Among the 26 patients, seven were converted surgical intervention. Cardiovascular event free curve on the 26 patients (Kaplan-Meier, CI: 95%) was 65.6% (45.9-85.3), 59.1% (37.5-80.6) at 2, 4 years. There were six dissection and six IMH patients death during follow up. Two of IMH patients died from cardiovascular event. The actuarial survival rate (Kaplan-Meier, CI: 95%) was 87.5% (76.0-99.1):87.9% (66.2-97.1), 81.7% (66.2-97.1):87.9% (78.8-97.0) at 2, 4 years (P = 0.8393). CONCLUSIONS: Type A IMH tends to occur in older, more hypertensive and not hyperlipidemic patients, showed lower incidences of preoperative aortic valve regurgitation and pericardial effusion than dissection. Medical treatment alone was not enough to manage all type A IMH patients, and 47.2% (17/36) of the patients needed surgical intervention. Urgent surgical repair was not necessary for all type A IMH patients to achieve favorable surgical outcome with careful follow-up using imaging modality.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2001

Elective endovascular treatment of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms and chronic dissections with stent-grafts.

PURPOSE: To report our experience of endovascular stent-graft placement in patients with descending thoracic aortic dissections and aneurysms and to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and clinical outcomes of the treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stent-grafts were placed in the descending thoracic aortas of 23 patients with saccular aneurysms (n = 11) and Stanford type B chronic aortic dissections of the descending thoracic and abdominal aorta (n = 12). All stent-grafts were individually constructed of self-expandable stainless steel stents covered with polytetrafluoroethylene. Vascular access was achieved through the femoral artery in all patients. Clinical status of each patient was monitored and postoperative CT was performed within 1 month of the procedure and at 3-12-month intervals after the procedures. RESULTS: Successful exclusion of the primary entry tears of dissections and the inlets of saccular aneurysms was achieved in all but two patients with aortic dissection. The overall technical success rate was 91.3% (dissection: 10 of 12 = 83%; aneurysm: 11 of 11 = 100%). All patients in whom technical success was achieved showed complete thrombosis and significant decrease in diameter of the thoracic false lumen (preoperative: 5.3 cm +/- 0.9; postoperative: 4.3 cm +/- 0.9; P = .004) or aneurysm sac (preoperative: 5.3 cm +/- 1.7; postoperative: 2.8 cm +/- 2.5; P = .001). In addition, five patients demonstrated complete resolution of the dissected thoracic false lumen (n = 2) and aneurysm sac (n = 3). However, in all patients with aortic dissection, the abdominal aorta was not significantly changed in size (P = .302) and shape and their false lumen flows remained persistent. Immediate postoperative complications were detected in 12 patients (52%); 10 had fever, leukocytosis, and elevation of C-reactive protein, another had wound infection, and another had transient abdominal pain. Three patients died 2, 3, and 12 months after the procedure: one from septic shock, another from underlying mediastinitis, and the other from an unexplained cause. The remaining 20 patients were well after the procedure (1-9 days; mean, 3 days), without any stent-graft-related complications or discomfort (follow up period: 10-65 mo; mean: 25.1 mo +/- 15.6). The cumulative survival rate after the stent graft was 100% at 30 days and 91% at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: For treatment of aortic dissection and saccular aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta, endovascular stent-graft repair may be a technically feasible and effective treatment modality.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Percutaneous creation of acute type-B aortic dissection: an experimental model for endoluminal therapy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of a percutaneously created type-B aortic dissection as an experimental model for percutaneous therapy. This model was used to evaluate the hemodynamic effects of single-balloon fenestration of the intimal flap. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Acute type-B dissections were created in descending aortae of 15 swine via a femoral (n = 6) or carotid (n = 9) approach. The initial subintimal tear was made with use of a Colapinto needle. The dissections were extended to a predefined position in the aorta. The proximal and distal tears were balloon dilated. The mural flap was balloon fenestrated in six animals, just above the celiac artery. Aortograms were obtained to establish the presence and extent of the dissection. Manometry was performed in both lumina to evaluate the hemodynamics of the dissected aorta and the effects of balloon fenestration in this model. Pathologic specimens were also examined. RESULTS: Creation of dissection was successful in 11 of 15 animals, with six developing true lumen narrowing (group A). The other five animals (group B) had flow in both lumina without evidence of true lumen narrowing. After the creation of a single-balloon fenestration in the group A swine, the arteriograms revealed no evidence of blood admixture between the true and false lumina, and there was no change in the intravascular pressures. Examination of the explanted aortae showed a more extensive circumferential dissection in group A animals as compared with group B. CONCLUSION: The percutaneously created acute type-B aortic dissection is a feasible model for experimentation. The hemodynamics of the aorta did not change after single-balloon fenestration in this model.

Aortic Dissection↗

PubMed2006

Clinical and epidemiological description of aortic dissection in Turner's syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Women with Turner's syndrome have an increased risk of congenital cardiac malformations, ischaemic heart disease, hypertension and stroke. Aortic dissection seems to occur with increased frequency. AIM: To describe in more detail aortic dissection as encountered in Turner's syndrome, giving attention to clinical, histological and epidemiological aspects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on a retrospective study, we describe the clinical, karyotypic, and epidemiological aspects of aortic dissection as encountered in cases of Turner's syndrome seen in Denmark and Sweden. RESULTS: The median age at onset of aortic dissection in 18 women was 35 years, ranging from 18 to 61 years. Fourteen of 18 women had a 45,X karyotype, while 2 patients had 45,X/45,XY, and 2 had the 45,X/46,X+r(X) complement, respectively. Echocardiography was performed in 10 of 18 patients before their acute illness, and showed signs of congenital cardiac disease, with either bifoliate aortic valves, dilation of the aortic root, or previous aortic coarctation evident in most patients. In 5 patients evidence of a bifoliate aortic valve was conclusive. Hypertension was present in 5 of 18 patients, while 10 of the patients died from aortic dissection, of so-called type A in 6, type B in 3, while in the final case the origin of dissection could not be determined. Biochemical analysis showed altered ratio between type I and type III collagen. Histology showed cystic medial necrosis in 3 of 7 cases. We estimated an incidence of dissection of 36 per 100,000 Turner's syndrome years, compared with an incidence of 6 per 100,000 in the general population, and a cumulated rate of incidence of 14, 73, 78, and 50 per 100,000 among 0-19, 20-29, 30-39, and 40+ year olds, respectively. CONCLUSION: Aortic dissection is extremely common in the setting of Turner's syndrome, and occurs early in life. Patients with Turner's syndrome should be offered a protocol for clinical follow-up similar to that provided for patients with Marfan syndrome, and each clinic should embrace a programme for follow-up.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

The role of neck dissection in head and neck mucosal squamous cancer.

The most clinically useful system of classification of neck lymph nodes is grouping into levels I-V. Anatomical, clinical and pathological studies demonstrate that although generally lymphatic flow is from above downwards, level I is often bypassed and level V is seldom involved. Neck dissection is classified into radical, modified radical, selective and extended radical neck dissections. Recent studies demonstrate that elective neck dissection is beneficial to the outcome of oral cancer patients, but not necessarily to laryngeal and pharyngeal cancer patients. Modified radical neck dissection is as effective as radical neck dissection when performed in the elective situation. Selective neck dissection in the form of supra-omohyoid neck dissection is useful as a staging procedure. Modified radical neck dissection is acceptable for the N1 neck provided postoperative radiotherapy is given.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

PubMed1994

Head pain in non-traumatic carotid artery dissection: a series of 65 patients.

In order to assess the prevalence and characteristics of cephalic pain in internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection, and to compare clinical and angiographic features of patients with painful and non-painful dissections, we observed 65 patients with angiographically diagnosed extracranial ICA dissection from 1972 to 1990. Forty-eight patients (74%) complained of a cephalic pain which was inaugural in 38 (58.5%). It was homolateral to the dissection in 79% of cases and lasted from 1 h to 30 days, with a median of 5 days. Signs of cerebral or retinal ischemia were observed in 79% of patients, often delayed and occurring up to 29 days after the onset of pain. A painful Horner's syndrome was present in 31% of patients, and was the only manifestation of dissection in 16%. The clinical presentation of the dissections and angiographic findings were similar in patients with and without pain except for a past history of migraine which was more frequent in patients with painful dissections. Cephalic pain is frequent and often inaugural in carotid dissection. Its recognition is important for early diagnosis and treatment.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Rapid diagnosis and management of thoracic aortic dissection and intramural haematoma: a prospective study of advantages of multiplane vs. biplane transoesophageal echocardiography.

AIMS: The purposes of this study were to compare the accuracy of multiplane vs. biplane transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in the diagnosis of aortic dissection and aortic intramural haematoma, and to test whether these techniques provide all the diagnostic information required to make management decisions. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty-eight consecutive patients with clinically suspected aortic dissection were studied with multiplane TEE; all cases who required surgery underwent intraoperative monitoring with multiplane TEE. The following multiplane TEE data were analysed: the angle between current and 0 degrees plane at which each view was obtained; the success rate in the evaluation of true and false lumen, entry tear, coronary artery involvement, aortic regurgitation, pericardial effusion. Advantages of multiplane over biplane TEE have been evaluated by the demonstration of usefulness of views obtained in planes other than 0 degrees-20 degrees or 70 degrees-110 degrees, assuming that with manipulation of a biplane probe a 20 degrees arc could be added to the conventional horizontal and vertical planes. On the basis of TEE findings, aortic dissection was confirmed in 36 cases (18 type A, 12 type B, six intramural haematoma). The specificity and sensitivity of TEE in terms of the presence or absence of aortic dissection or intramural haematoma were 100%. An additional clinical value of multiplane over biplane TEE in the evaluation of ascending aorta, aortic arch, entry tears and coronary artery involvement was demonstrated. All cases with type A aortic dissection or intramural haematoma involving the ascending aorta had an operation that was performed immediately after the diagnosis (hospital mortality, 13%). Patients with type B aortic dissection were treated medically; 25% of these cases were operated later (hospital mortality, 0%). CONCLUSIONS: Multiplane and biplane TEE have excellent and similar accuracies in the evaluation of aortic dissection and intramural haematoma. Multiplane TEE improves the visualization of coronary arteries, aortic arch and entry tears; it appears to be an ideal method as the sole diagnostic approach before surgery in type A aortic dissection.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Proximal aortic dissection late after aortic valve surgery: 119 cases of a distinct clinical entity.

BACKGROUND: Besides systemic hypertension and Marfan syndrome, only previous aortic valve replacement (AVR) is independently associated with proximal (type A) aortic dissection. Little, however, is known to date about the characteristic features of this clinical entity. METHODS: Clinical, prognostic and predisposing profiles in 119 cases of dissection and/or aneurysm occuring 1 month to 16 years after routine AVR were analyzed comprising 62 cases from our database and 57 reported cases. RESULTS: Dissection after AVR has been observed in 0.6% of all routine AVR procedures in the past four decades. With clinical signs, symptoms and anatomical features different from classic aortic dissection post-AVR dissection is a distinct clinical entity with a high intraoperative mortality of 44% and a 30-day and 5-year survival of 62% and 43%, respectively. Aortic regurgitation and a thin and/or fragile aortic wall at AVR, however, predict late dissection. Using a prediction model, the risk of late dissection can be stratified based on information obtained during AVR surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic dissection following AVR is likely to represent a distinct clinical entity which can be predicted and possibly prevented at AVR.

Aged↗