cardiovascular-agents and Aortic-Aneurysm--Thoracic

Current treatment options and outcomes for acute uncomplicated thoracic Type-B aortic dissection (TBAD) remain unclear between medical management (MED) and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). In this study we aim to compare both strategies in terms of all-cause mortality, aortic dilation, and aortic rupture.. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were queried from January 1990 through March 2017. Only studies comparing TEVAR to MED for acute uncomplicated TBAD were included. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to pool outcomes across studies. Study outcomes included short (1 month), intermediate (1 year), and mid-term (2-5 year) all-cause mortality. Additional outcomes included aortic dilation and rupture at 1 year.. A total of 1,960 patients (64.3 years; 75.8% male) were included from six studies (one prospective and five retrospective). No difference was observed in short-term (odd ratio [OR] 0.73 with 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.47 to 1.12, P = 0.15), intermediate (OR 0.99 with 95% CI 0.56 to 1.73, P = 0.96), or mid-term all-cause mortality (OR 1.12 with 95% CI 0.54 to 2.32, P = 0.75). No difference in aortic dilation with either modality was noted at 1-year (OR 1.11 with 95% CI 0.76 to 1.64, P = 0.59). TEVAR was associated with a significantly lower 1-year risk of aortic rupture (OR 2.49 with 95% CI 1.23 to 5.06, P = 0.01).. There were no short, intermediate, or mid-term differences in mortality between TEVAR or MED in patients with acute uncomplicated TBAD. Although the dilation rate was similar between both groups, TEVAR was associated with lower likelihood of aortic rupture at 1 year.

Topics: Acute Disease; Aged; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Aortic Dissection; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Cardiovascular Agents; Endovascular Procedures; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome

A type B dissection involves the aorta distal to the subclavian artery, and accounts for 25-40% of aortic dissections. Approximately 75% of these are uncomplicated with no malperfusion or ischemia. Multiple consensus statements recommend thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) as the treatment of choice for acute complicated type B aortic dissections, while uncomplicated type B dissections are traditionally treated with medical management alone, including strict blood pressure control, as open repairs have a prohibitively high morbidity of up to 31%. However, with medical treatment alone, the morbidity, including aneurysm degeneration of the affected segment, is 30%, and mortality is 10% over 5 years. For both chronic and acute uncomplicated type B aortic dissections, emerging evidence supports the use of both best medical therapy and TEVAR. This paper reviews the current diagnosis and treatment of uncomplicated type B aortic dissections.

Topics: Algorithms; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Aortic Dissection; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Cardiovascular Agents; Critical Pathways; Endovascular Procedures; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans; Predictive Value of Tests; Risk Factors; Treatment Outcome

Thoracic aortic enlargement is an increasingly recognized condition that is often diagnosed on imaging studies performed for unrelated indications. The risk of unrecognized and untreated aortic enlargement and aneurysm includes aortic rupture and dissection which carry a high burden of morbidity and mortality. The etiologies underlying thoracic aortic enlargement are diverse and can range from degenerative or hypertension associated aortic enlargement to more rare genetic disorders. Therefore, the evaluation and management of these patients can be complex and requires knowledge of the pathophysiology associated with thoracic aortic dilation and aneurysm. Additionally, there have been important advances in the treatment available to patients with thoracic aortic disease, including an increased role of endovascular therapy. Given the risk of mortality, increased clinical recognition and advances in therapeutics, the American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association and related professional societies have recently published guidelines on the management of thoracic aortic disease. This review focuses on the pathophysiology and various etiologies that lead to thoracic aortic aneurysm along with the diagnostic modalities and management of asymptomatic patients with thoracic aortic disease.

Topics: Angioscopy; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Cardiovascular Agents; Diagnostic Imaging; Humans; Morbidity; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Prognosis; Survival Rate; United States; Vascular Surgical Procedures

Currently thoracic endovascular repair (TEVAR) has a limited role in uncomplicated type B aortic dissection. Aggressive medical therapy is deemed appropriate for most of these patients allowing one-year survival rate of 80-90%. Outcomes are less than optimal in the long term, however, since aorta related complications (disease progression, rapid deterioration, acute rupture and elevated mortality) may occur in up to 50% of patients at five years. Subgroups of patients with uncomplicated type B dissection may benefit from early stent-graft placement, but identification of these remains difficult. Only future studies, especially randomized trials, will clarify the utility of early TEVAR in the setting of uncomplicated acute type B dissection.

Topics: Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Aortic Dissection; Cardiovascular Agents; Endovascular Procedures; Evidence-Based Medicine; History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; Humans; Patient Selection; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Treatment Outcome; Vascular Surgical Procedures

Acute aortic syndromes (AAS) comprise a group of potentially lethal conditions that require prompt recognition, diagnosis as well as acute medical stabilization and surgical intervention. The purpose of this article is to review the relevant variants of AAS presentation, as well as diagnostic and management issues, including adequate long-term medical therapy and follow-up imaging. In this context, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association recently published guidelines on the management of thoracic aortic disease, drawing greater attention to these processes.

Topics: Acute Disease; Angioplasty; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Aortic Dissection; Aortic Rupture; Aortography; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Cardiovascular Agents; Combined Modality Therapy; Echocardiography, Transesophageal; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Magnetic Resonance Angiography; Marfan Syndrome; Multidetector Computed Tomography; Postoperative Complications; Registries; Risk Factors; Stents; Survival Rate; Syndrome; Ulcer

Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) increase the risk of aortic dissection or rupture and represent an important source of morbidity and mortality. Inherited forms of the disease, including Marfan syndrome, have been recognized for a long time but were considered degenerative diseases characterized by cystic medial necrosis of the aortic wall. Improved definition of the structure and function of the normal aortic wall, coupled with the discovery of genetic mutations in key regulatory molecules, have contributed to a more detailed understanding of the pathophysiology of syndromic, familial and sporadic TAAs. We here review the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in TAA formation and outline areas for future research.

Topics: Animals; Aorta, Thoracic; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Cardiovascular Agents; Extracellular Matrix Proteins; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Hemodynamics; Humans; Mechanotransduction, Cellular; Mutation; Pedigree; Risk Factors; Stress, Mechanical

Use of molecular tools to diagnose and treat aortic disease, in particular, aortic aneurysms and aortic dissections, is still in its infancy, with great advancements expected in the future. Currently under investigation are the genetic markers linked to aortic disease that may help to identify patients at risk for their development prior to clinical presentation. In addition, specific gene defects may be identified that can assist in the understanding of the basic mechanisms contributing to development of aortic disease. Biomarkers are under investigation that can be used to monitor the development, progression, and possible response to therapy for aortic aneurysms and acute aortic syndromes. Equally important, further investigations into the molecular mechanisms involved in aortic pathology will result in increased understanding of the disease etiology and will lead to development of alternate therapies for these diseases prior to their catastrophic development. With advances in molecular technology, the molecular diagnosis and treatment of aortic diseases will begin to expand at a rapid rate and provide unique, improved therapies.

Topics: Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Aortic Diseases; Aortic Dissection; Biomarkers; Cardiovascular Agents; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genetic Therapy; Humans; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; Risk Factors; Signal Transduction; Syndrome

Acute type B aortic dissection can be treated with medical management alone, open surgical repair, or thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). The nationwide burden of readmissions after acute type B aortic dissection has not been comprehensively assessed.. We analyzed adults with a hospitalization due to acute type B aortic dissection between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2014, in the Nationwide Readmissions Database. International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes were used to identify hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis code for thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic dissection. The primary outcome was nonelective 90-day readmission. Predictors of readmission were determined using hierarchical logistic regression.. The study population consisted of 6937 patients with unplanned admissions for type B aortic dissections from 2010 through 2014. Medical management alone was the treatment for 62.6% of patients, 21.0% had open surgical repair, and 16.4% underwent TEVAR. Nonelective 90-day readmission rate was 25.1% (23.6% with medical management alone, 26.9% with open repair, and 28.7% with TEVAR; P < .001). An additional 4.7% of patients were electively readmitted. The most common cause for nonelective readmission was new or recurrent arterial aneurysm or dissection (24.8%). Of those with unplanned readmissions, 5.2% underwent an aortic procedure. The mortality rate during nonelective readmission was 5.0%, and the mean cost of the rehospitalization was $22,572 ± $41,598.. More than one in four patients have a nonelective readmission 90 days after hospitalization for acute type B aortic dissection. Absolute rates of readmission varied by initial treatment received but were high irrespective of the initial treatment. The most common cause of readmission was aortic disease, particularly among those treated with medication alone. Further research is required to determine potential interventions to decrease these costly and morbid readmissions, including the role of multidisciplinary aortic teams.

Topics: Acute Disease; Aged; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Aortic Dissection; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Cardiovascular Agents; Databases, Factual; Endovascular Procedures; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Readmission; Retrospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; United States

To describe index visits for acute aortic dissection (AD) to an academic center and validate the prevailing claims-based methodology to identify and stratify them.. Inpatient hospitalizations at a single center assigned an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) diagnosis code for AD from January 2005 to September 2015 were identified. Diagnoses were verified by review of medical records and imaging studies. All visits were secondarily stratified with the algorithm based on ICD-9 codes. Sensitivity and specificity analyses were conducted to evaluate the ability of the algorithm to correctly identify acute AD by Stanford class and treatment modality (type A open repair [TAOR], type B open repair [TBOR], thoracic endovascular repair [TEVAR], medical management [MM]).. In the study interval, there were 1245 visits coded for AD attributed to 968 unique patients. Chart review verification demonstrated that the majority of visits were for AD (79%; n = 981), of which 32% (n = 310) were for an index acute AD event. The true distribution of acute AD visit classifications was TAOR (46.1%; n = 143), TBOR (5.2%; n = 16), TEVAR (7.7%; n = 24), and MM (39.4%; n = 122). The algorithm, which used ICD-9 codes, identified 631 acute visits and stratified them as TAOR (27.1%; n = 171), TBOR (4.1%; n = 26), TEVAR (4.9%; n = 31), and MM (63.9%; n = 403). Analyses demonstrated high specificities, but generally low sensitivities of the algorithm (TAOR: sensitivity, 58%, specificity, 92%; TBOR: sensitivity, 13%, specificity, 98%; TEVAR: sensitivity, 17%, specificity, 98%; MM: sensitivity, 73%, specificity, 72%).. The prevalent claims-based strategy to identify hospitalizations with acute AD is specific, but lacks sensitivity. Caution should be exercised when studying AD with ICD-9 codes and improvements to existing claims-based methodologies are necessary to support future study of acute AD.

Topics: Administrative Claims, Healthcare; Aged; Algorithms; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Aortic Dissection; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Cardiovascular Agents; Data Mining; Databases, Factual; Endovascular Procedures; Female; Humans; International Classification of Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Admission; Reproducibility of Results; Retrospective Studies

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is associated with mutations in fibrillin-1 that predispose afflicted individuals to progressive thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) leading to dissection and rupture of the vessel wall. Here we combined computational and experimental approaches to identify and test FDA-approved drugs that may slow or even halt aneurysm progression. Computational analyses of transcriptomic data derived from the aortas of MFS patients and MFS mice (Fbn1mgR/mgR mice) predicted that subcellular pathways associated with reduced muscle contractility are key TAA determinants that could be targeted with the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen. Systemic administration of baclofen to Fbn1mgR/mgR mice validated our computational prediction by mitigating arterial disease progression at the cellular and physiological levels. Interestingly, baclofen improved muscle contraction-related subcellular pathways by upregulating a different set of genes than those downregulated in the aorta of vehicle-treated Fbn1mgR/mgR mice. Distinct transcriptomic profiles were also associated with drug-treated MFS and wild-type mice. Thus, systems pharmacology approaches that compare patient- and mouse-derived transcriptomic data for subcellular pathway-based drug repurposing represent an effective strategy to identify potential new treatments of human diseases.

Topics: Animals; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Cardiovascular Agents; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Repositioning; Gene Expression Profiling; Humans; Marfan Syndrome; Mice; Mice, Transgenic; Transcriptome

In uncomplicated type B aortic dissection (UTBAD), the "gold standard" has been nonoperative treatment with medical therapy, although this has been questioned by studies demonstrating improved outcomes in those treated with thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). This study assessed long-term survival after acute UTBAD comparing medical therapy, open repair, and TEVAR.. The California Office of Statewide Hospital Planning Development database was analyzed from 2000 to 2010 for adult patients with acute UTBAD. Patients with nonemergent admission for aortic dissection, type A dissection, trauma, bowel ischemia, lower extremity ischemia, acidosis, or shock were excluded. The cohort was stratified by treatment type at index admission into medical therapy, open surgical repair, and TEVAR. Multivariable regression and survival analyses were used to evaluate the association of treatment type with long-term overall survival.. There were 9165 cases, 95% medical therapy, 2% open repair, and 2.9% TEVAR. The mean age was 66 ± 15 years, with 39% female, 2.4% cocaine users, 18% with congestive heart failure, and 17% with Charlson Comorbidity Index >3. Mean inpatient costs were $57,000 for medical therapy, $200,000 for open repair, and $130,000 for TEVAR (P < .01). Inpatient mortality was 6.5% overall, 6.3% for medical therapy, 14% for open repair, and 7.1% for TEVAR (P < .01). One-year and 5-year survivals were 84% and 60% in medical therapy, 76% and 67% in open repair, and 85% and 76% in TEVAR (log-rank, P < .01). On risk-adjusted multivariable analysis, TEVAR had improved survival compared with medical therapy (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% confidence interval, 0.6-0.8; P < .01), with no difference between open repair and medical therapy (hazard ratio, 1.0; 95% confidence interval, 0.8-1.3; P < .01).. This statewide study on survival after acute UTBADs shows an independent survival advantage for TEVAR over medical therapy. These data add further evidence for a paradigm shift in acute management of type B dissection in favor of early TEVAR.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Aortic Dissection; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; California; Cardiovascular Agents; Databases, Factual; Endovascular Procedures; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome

Medical management of acute aortic dissections limited to the descending thoracic aorta (AD-desc) is associated with acceptable outcomes. Uncertainty remains about whether acute type B aortic dissections involving the aortic arch (AD-arch) have an increased risk of retrograde extension into the ascending aorta or other dissection-related complications. This study compared outcomes of AD-arch with AD-desc managed medically.. Consecutive patients admitted from 2005 to 2014 with acute aortic dissections not involving the ascending aorta were retrospectively analyzed. Primary end points included dissection-related death and operative intervention.. The study included 99 patients (63% men; mean age, 60 ± 14 years) with acute aortic dissections. Dissections were limited to the aorta distal to the left subclavian artery (AD-desc) in 79 patients (80%), and 20 (20%) had involvement of the left subclavian (n = 16), left common carotid (n = 1), or innominate (n = 3) arteries (AD-arch). Dissections ended proximal to the celiac artery in 30 patients (30%), between the celiac artery and aortic bifurcation in 36 (36%), and distal to the aortic bifurcation in 33 (33%). During medical management, further proximal extension into the arch occurred in two AD-arch patients and one AD-desc patient (P < .05), but proximal dissection into the ascending aorta occurred in only one AD-arch patient with Marfan disease. Compared with patients with AD-desc, those with AD-arch were younger (53 ± 12.5 vs 62 ± 16 years; P < .01) and had more frequent early interventions (40% vs 19%; P = .047), cardiac complications (35% vs 11%; P < .01), and neurologic events (25% vs 6%; P < .01). Seven AD-arch patients (35%) and nine AD-desc patients (11%) died of dissection-related causes (P < .01). Among survivors, late interventions were performed in four of eight AD-arch patients (50%) and in six of 58 AD-desc patients (10%; P = .02). Medical treatment without intervention was successful in four AD-arch patients (20%) and in 52 AD-desc patients (66%; P < .001). Multivariate logistic regression retained arch involvement as the sole predictor of dissection-related death (odds ratio, 4.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-13.4) and failure of medical treatment (odds ratio, 7.7; 95% confidence interval, 2.5-29). The distal extent of dissection had no bearing on outcome.. AD-arch dissections are associated with a higher risk of cardiac and neurologic events, need for early intervention, and dissection-related death than AD-desc dissections. Because further proximal dissections into the ascending aorta were rare in this study, medical management appears to be safe as the initial treatment of AD-arch dissections. However, surgeons should be aware of the increased risk of complications and the potential need for urgent interventions in these patients.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Aged; Aorta, Thoracic; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Aortic Dissection; Aortography; Cardiovascular Agents; Chi-Square Distribution; Disease Progression; Female; Heart Diseases; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Nervous System Diseases; Odds Ratio; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Tennessee; Time Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome; Vascular Surgical Procedures

Uncomplicated Stanford B acute aortic dissection (AAD) is generally treated with medical management; whereas complicated dissections require surgery or thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). Studies have demonstrated that long-term outcomes with medical management are suboptimal. Therefore, we sought to investigate the early and long-term clinical efficacy of TEVAR for Stanford B AAD.. From March 2004 to January 2008, 63 consecutive patients were treated and retrospectively placed into either one of the two groups, the TEVAR group (n = 42) and the medicine group (n = 21). All TEVAR procedures were performed in the acute phase. The changes of true and false lumen diameter were monitored with computed tomography angiography examinations in the thoracic aorta at the level of the stented segment at long-term follow-up.. As compared with the medicine group, the age at intervention in the TEVAR group was higher (p < 0.05), and they also had more patent false lumen in this group. Patients in the TEVAR group had significantly longer hospital stays than those in the medicine group (p < 0.01). The incidence of the early events was not significantly different between the two groups. The incidence of aortic-related late events and late death were significantly higher in the medicine group than those in the TEVAR group. Log-rank tests demonstrated that patients treated with medical management had significantly more late adverse events than did those treated with TEVAR (p < 0.01). At 1-year follow-up, the true lumen diameter in the thoracic aorta at the level of the stented segment increased significantly after TEVAR, and the mean reduction of false lumen diameter was highly significant. The remodeling was stable at 3 and 5 years after TEVAR.. Patients with Stanford B AAD treated with TEVAR experienced fewer late adverse events than those treated with medical management, TEVAR could be an effective treatment for Stanford B AAD.

Topics: Aged; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Aortic Dissection; Aortography; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Cardiovascular Agents; China; Endovascular Procedures; Female; Humans; Incidence; Male; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Time Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome; Vascular Remodeling

This study sought to evaluate the early and long-term effect of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) on type-B acute aortic dissection (AAD).. Uncomplicated type-B AAD is generally treated with medical management; complicated dissections require surgery or TEVAR. Studies have demonstrated that long-term outcomes with medical management are suboptimal. Therefore, we sought to determine the long-term effect of TEVAR compared with medical management alone on type-B AAD.. From January 2004 to May 2008, 193 consecutive patients in 2 hospitals were treated and retrospectively placed into 1 of 2 groups: 1) the TEVAR group-type-B AAD treated with TEVAR and antihypertensive medications (n = 152); and the 2) medicine group-uncomplicated type-B AAD treated medically alone (n = 41). All TEVAR procedures were performed in the acute phase.. There were no significant differences in demographics, comorbidity profiles, or early events between groups. The cumulative freedom from all late adverse events at 1, 3, and 5 years was 97%, 89%, and 67% in the TEVAR group and 97%, 63%, and 34% in the medicine group. Log-rank tests showed that medically treated patients had more late adverse events than TEVAR-treated patients did (p = 0.003). The 5-year cumulative survival rate from all-cause death was not significantly different between the 2 groups.. Patients with type-B AAD treated with TEVAR experienced fewer late adverse events than those treated with medical management, but there was no significant difference among the groups in 5-year mortality rates. Further studies of longer-term survival rates are needed to determine whether TEVAR could be an effective treatment for type-B AAD.

Topics: Acute Disease; Aged; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Aortic Dissection; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Cardiovascular Agents; China; Endovascular Procedures; Female; Humans; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Male; Middle Aged; Ohio; Patient Selection; Retrospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome

This study sought to evaluate long-term survival in type B aortic dissection patients treated with thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) therapy.. Historical data have supported medical therapy in type B acute aortic dissection (TBAAD) patients. Recent advances in TEVAR appear to improve in-hospital mortality.. We examined 1,129 consecutive patients with TBAAD enrolled in IRAD (International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection) between 1995 and 2012 who received medical (n = 853, 75.6%) or TEVAR (n = 276, 24.4%) therapy.. Clinical history was similar between groups. TEVAR patients were more likely to present with a pulse deficit (28.3% vs. 13.4%, p < 0.001) and lower extremity ischemia (16.8% vs. 3.6%, p < 0.001), and to characterize their pain as the "worst pain ever" (27.5% vs. 15.7%, p < 0.001). TEVAR patients were also most likely to present with complicated acute aortic dissection, defined as shock, periaortic hematoma, signs of malperfusion, stroke, spinal cord ischemia, mesenteric ischemia, and/or renal failure (61.7% vs. 37.2%). In-hospital mortality was similar in patients managed with endovascular repair (10.9% vs. 8.7%, p = 0.273) compared with medically managed patients. One-year mortality was also similar in both groups (8.1% endovascular vs. 9.8% medical, p = 0.604). Among adverse events during follow-up, aortic growth/new aneurysm was most common, occurring in 73.3% of patients with medical therapy and in 62.7% of patients after TEVAR, based on 5-year Kaplan-Meier estimates. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates showed that patients undergoing TEVAR had a lower death rate (15.5% vs. 29.0%, p = 0.018) at 5 years.. Results from IRAD show that TEVAR is associated with lower mortality over a 5-year period than medical therapy for TBAAD. Further randomized trials with long-term follow-up are needed.

Topics: Aged; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Aortic Dissection; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Cardiovascular Agents; Chi-Square Distribution; Endovascular Procedures; Europe; Female; Hospital Mortality; Humans; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; North America; Patient Selection; Propensity Score; Prospective Studies; Registries; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome

The patient with thoracic aortic aneurysm disease requires careful evaluation and management over his or her lifetime. This includes assessment for the presence of an underlying genetic disorder, such as Marfan syndrome, bicuspid aortic valve disease, or a familial aortic aneurysm syndrome. Screening family members is necessary, inasmuch as up to 20% of first-degree relatives of the patient with a thoracic aortic aneurysm will also have aneurysm disease. Medical therapy is often prescribed, and beta-blocker therapy to reduce the stress on the aortic wall is usually recommended. However, very few clinical trials of pharmacologic therapy in humans with thoracic aortic aneurysm disease have been conducted. Mouse models have led to important discoveries and insight into the pathogenesis of aneurysm syndromes, and there is hope these may lead to effective therapy in people. Several studies are ongoing that examine the role of angiotensin receptor blockers in Marfan syndrome. Lifestyle modification is also important for patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm, including restrictions on physical activity, weight lifting, and recommendations about the management of pregnancy. Long-term surveillance of the aorta, even after successful surgery, is necessary for timing of prophylactic surgery and to evaluate for late complications.

Topics: Animals; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Cardiovascular Agents; Disease Progression; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genetic Testing; Humans; Predictive Value of Tests; Risk Factors; Risk Reduction Behavior; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome

This prospective multicenter comparative study examined early and midterm results of medication and stent-graft therapies on chronic type B aortic dissection in China.. The study consisted of 303 consecutive patients with chronic type B aortic dissection from four centers in China from January 2007 to December 2010 who were prospectively enrolled and treated by either optimal medical therapy (OMT) or thoracic endovascular aorta repair (TEVAR). Of the patients, 219 were male and 84 were female (average age, 53.6 ± 20.3 years; range, 29-81 years). Baseline diameter of the thoracic aorta was 41.2 (19.1) mm (mean [standard deviation]), and dissection extended beyond the celiac axis in 87.1% of cases.. In total, there were 208 patients in the TEVAR group and 95 patients in the OMT group. Procedural success was 100%, and no deaths occurred during index hospitalization in the two groups. In the TEVAR group, two patients (0.9%) suffered from retrograde type A dissection, and two (0.9%) suffered from paraplegia or paraparesis. For in-hospital outcome, multivariate analysis revealed that age >75 years and American Society of Anesthesiologists class greater than III were independent predictors of major early adverse events. Average follow-up time for hospital survivors was 28.5 ± 16.3 months (range, 1.0-58 months). In the OMT group, five patients died from rupture of an enlarged false lumen, and six patients died suddenly of unknown reasons. Fourteen cases required crossover to TEVAR (n = 12) or surgical conversion (n = 2). In the TEVAR group, nine patients required reintervention or surgical conversion, and one died of postoperative multi-organ failure. One patient died of delayed retrograde type A dissection, and four died suddenly of unknown reasons. The Kaplan-Meier analysis of survival probability at 2 and 4 years was 87.5% and 82.7% with TEVAR, respectively, and 77.5% and 69.1% with OMT, respectively (P = .0678, log-rank test). The estimated cumulative freedom from aorta-related death at 2 and 4 years was 91.6% and 88.1% with TEVAR, respectively, and 82.8% and 73.8% with OMT, respectively (P = .0392, log-rank test). The thoracic aorta diameter decreased from 42.4 (23.1) mm to 37.3 (12.8) mm in the TEVAR group and increased from 40.7 (18.6) mm to 48.1 (17.3) mm in the OMT group.. This was the first prospective multicenter comparative study on the treatment of type B aortic dissection in China. TEVAR had a significantly lower aorta-related mortality compared with OMT but failed to improve overall survival rate or lower the aorta-related adverse event rate.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Aortic Dissection; Aortography; Blood Vessel Prosthesis; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Cardiovascular Agents; Chi-Square Distribution; China; Chronic Disease; Endovascular Procedures; Female; Humans; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Odds Ratio; Prospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Stents; Time Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome

This study compared outcomes between thoracic endovascular aortic repair and conventional open surgical and medical therapies for acute complicated type B aortic dissection.. From 2002 to 2010, a total of 170 patients with type B aortic dissections were retrospectively identified from the University of Pennsylvania aortic database. Of these 170 patients, 147 had acute type B aortic dissections (uncomplicated 70, complicated 77). For patients with acute complicated type B aortic dissections, management included thoracic endovascular aortic repair (group A) or conventional open surgical and medical therapies (group B).. In the 77 patients with acute complicated type B aortic dissections, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (group A) was performed in 45 patients (59%). In group B, 20 patients (26%) underwent open surgical repair and 12 (15%) had their conditions managed with medical therapy. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair was associated with lower in-hospital or 30-day mortality (n = 2, 4%) than conventional therapy (open surgical repair n = 8, 40%, medical therapy, n = 4, 33%, P = .006). Patients in group A (thoracic endovascular aortic repair) continued to show significantly improved survival at 1, 3, and 5 years (group A: 82%, 79%, and 79% vs group B: 58%, 52%, and 44%, P = .008).. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair for acute complicated type B dissection is associated with superior early outcome and improved midterm survival relative to conventional therapy. Longer follow-up demonstrating survival benefit is needed before definitive conclusion can be made.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Aortic Dissection; Aortography; Cardiovascular Agents; Endovascular Procedures; Female; Hospital Mortality; Humans; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Length of Stay; Male; Middle Aged; Pennsylvania; Retrospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Survival Rate; Time Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome; Vascular Surgical Procedures

Persistent endoleak and endotension, complications after endovascular aortic repair, may be caused by an unorganized thrombus inside the aneurysm. The experimental study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of stent grafts (S/Gs) with slow release of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) for the organization.. The S/Gs were constructed of self-expanding Z stent covered with expanded polytetra fluoroethylene graft, and coated with elastin to be able to bind and slowly release bFGF. Five elastin-coated S/Gs with bFGF (bFGF-S/Gs) and without bFGF (C-S/Gs) were placed in the normal canine aorta respectively. The thoracic aortic aneurysm models were surgically created with a jugular vein patch in 12 beagles. S/Gs with six holes, for creating endoleaks, were used in the experiment of aneurysmal repair. The bFGF-S/Gs (n = 6) and C-S/Gs (n = 6) were implanted. The beagles were sacrificed at two weeks after the endovascular procedure and examined histologically.. The bFGF-S/Gs induced six times the intimal proliferation of the C-S/Gs in normal aorta. Twelve animals had successfully created aneurysms, and had endoleaks just after the endovascular procedure. At two weeks after the endovascular procedure, the percentage of fibrous area in the aneurysmal cavity treated with bFGF-S/G (35.7 +/- 4.3%) was significantly greater than C-S/G (13.6 +/- 2.2%) (P < .01).. bFGF-S/Gs are effective for accelerating organization of the aneurysm cavity and developing neointima. Further research on bFGF-S/Gs would clarify the association of endoleaks.

Topics: Animals; Aorta, Thoracic; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Cardiovascular Agents; Cell Proliferation; Delayed-Action Preparations; Disease Models, Animal; Dogs; Drug-Eluting Stents; Elastin; Feasibility Studies; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; Fibrosis; Humans; Polytetrafluoroethylene; Prosthesis Design; Recombinant Proteins; Tunica Intima

The clinical profiles and outcomes of patients treated surgically for acute type B aortic dissection (ABAD) are often reported for those in small series or for those cared for at a single institution over a long time period, during which a continuous evolution in techniques has occurred. Accordingly, we sought to evaluate the clinical features and surgical results of patients enrolled in the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection by identifying primary factors that influenced surgical outcome and estimating average surgical mortality for ABAD in the current era.. A comprehensive analysis of 290 clinical variables and their relation to surgical outcomes for 82 patients who required surgery for ABAD (from a population of 1256 patients; mean+/-SD age, 60.6+/-15.0 years; 82.9% male) and who were enrolled in the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection was performed. The overall in-hospital mortality was 29.3%. Factors associated with increased surgical mortality based on univariate analysis were preoperative coma or altered consciousness, partial thrombosis of the false lumen, evidence of periaortic hematoma on diagnostic imaging, descending aortic diameter >6 cm, right ventricle dysfunction at surgery, and shorter time from the onset of symptoms to surgery. Factors associated with favorable outcomes included radiating pain, normotension at surgery (systolic blood pressure 100 to 149 mm Hg), and reduced hypothermic circulatory arrest time. The 2 independent predictors of surgical mortality were age >70 years (odds ratio, 4.32; 95% confidence interval, 1.30 to 14.34) and preoperative shock/hypotension (odds ratio, 6.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.12 to 32.49).. The present study provides insights into current-day clinical profiles and surgical outcomes of ABAD. Knowledge about different preoperative clinical conditions may help surgeons in making treatment decisions among these high-risk patients.

Topics: Acute Disease; Aged; Anastomosis, Surgical; Antihypertensive Agents; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Aortic Dissection; Aortic Rupture; Atherosclerosis; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Cardiovascular Agents; Comorbidity; Disease Susceptibility; Europe; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Heart Diseases; Hemodynamics; Hospital Mortality; Humans; Hypertension; Japan; Male; Marfan Syndrome; Middle Aged; Paraplegia; Postoperative Complications; Registries; Spinal Cord Ischemia; Stents; Survival Analysis; Treatment Outcome; United States

Endovascular stent-graft repair is a less invasive technique than traditional open aortic reconstruction for strictly selected patients with descending thoracic aortic aneurysms. To prevent distal migration of the device as a result of the propulsive flow during systole, it is helpful to induce temporary asystole for > or = 20 s while the stent-graft is placed in the thoracic aorta.. We report here a case study of a patient who was given a bolus dose of 60 mg of adenosine to induce temporary asystole. Placement of the stent-graft was successfully performed during the temporary asystole. After 45 s the patient returned to normal sinus rhythm. He was extubated 4 h after the conclusion of surgery and was discharged after 1 week.. Induction of temporary asystole with bolus adenosine to facilitate placement of stent-grafts in the thoracic aorta is a simple, easy and effective method of avoiding distal device migration.

Topics: Adenosine; Aged; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Cardiovascular Agents; Electrocardiography; Heart Arrest, Induced; Hemodynamics; Humans; Male; Respiratory Mechanics; Stents

Topics: Adenosine; Aged; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Cardiovascular Agents; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Heart Arrest, Induced; Humans; Male; Stents; Systole