Aortic arch-clamping technique without open distal anastomosis for extended ascending aortic aneurysms.

Background: The open anastomosis technique is a classic procedure for treating extended ascending aortic aneurysms, but hypothermic circulatory arrest is unavoidable, which increases the risk of organ injury. The aortic arch-clamping (AAC) technique is an alternative treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the AAC technique in patients with ascending aortic aneurysms extending to the proximal arch.

Outcomes and risk factors for cardiac surgery during pregnancy: a 13-year, two-centre, retrospective cohort study.

Background: Cardiac surgery during pregnancy is complex and has significant risks for mothers and infants. The clinical outcomes and risk factors for complications are largely unknown. This study aimed to analyse the outcomes of cardiac surgeries during pregnancy and to investigate the risk factors for maternal postoperative outcomes from the two largest referral centres for pregnant patients with complex cardiac disease in northern and southern China.

Surgical management and outcomes of coronary artery involvement secondary to acute type A aortic dissection: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Coronary artery involvement (CAI) remains a fatal comorbidity in the context of acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD). We evaluated the impact of CAI on the perioperative and short-term outcomes of patients with ATAAD who underwent total arch replacement (TAR) and frozen elephant trunk (FET) implantation and shared our surgical management experience with the involved coronary artery.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, a total of 204 patients with ATAAD between June 2019 and December 2021 were enrolled and divided into the CAI group (n=67) and the non-CAI group (n=137).

Fate of the distal aorta following root replacement in Marfan syndrome: a propensity score matched study.

Objective: The aortic root is the most frequent segment involved in Marfan syndrome. However, Marfan syndrome is a systemic hereditary connective tissue disorder, and knowledge regarding the outcomes of the native distal aorta after prophylactic aortic root surgery is limited.

Methods: From April 2010 to December 2020, 226 patients with Marfan syndrome and 1,200 patients without Marfan syndrome who underwent Bentall procedures were included in this study.

Aortic Arch-Clamping Technique in Hemiarch Replacement Without Circulatory Arrest.

The open anastomosis technique has become more popular since it was first used in hemiarch replacement; however, hypothermic circulatory arrest is unavoidable. This institution performed a novel surgical technique called the arch-clamping technique. It has been used in the treatment of patients with ascending aortic aneurysm extending to the proximal aortic arch and avoids the use of hypothermic circulatory arrest.

Anzhen Risk Evaluation System for Acute Aortic Syndrome (AZSCORE-AAS): protocol for a multicentre prospective cohort study in northern China.

Introduction: Acute aortic syndrome (AAS) is a group of acute and critical conditions, including acute aortic dissection (AAD), acute intramural haematoma and penetrating aortic ulcer. High mortality and morbidity rates result in a poor patient prognosis. Prompt diagnoses and timely interventions are paramount for saving patients' lives.

Surgical management of aortic regurgitation secondary to Behcet's disease.

Background: Aortic regurgitation (AR) related to Behcet's disease (BD) is rare, but usually fatal. Perivalvular leakage (PVL) is high if AR related to BD treated with regular AVR. In this study, we report the surgical management of AR secondary to BD.

Association between preoperative serum myoglobin and acute kidney injury after Stanford Type A aortic dissection surgery.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after Type A aortic dissection (TAAD) surgery, and it is associated with poor outcomes. The nephrotoxic effect of myoglobin was established, but its correlation with AKI following TAAD repair still lacks sufficient evidence. We clarified the correlation between preoperative serum myoglobin (pre-sMyo) concentrations and AKI after TAAD surgery.

Development and validation of a nomogram for postoperative severe acute kidney injury in acute type A aortic dissection.

Background: Postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major complication associated with increased morbidity and mortality after surgery for acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD). To the best of our knowledge, risk prediction models for AKI following AAAD surgery have not been reported. The goal of the present study was to develop a prediction model to predict severe AKI after AAAD surgery.

Perfusion management of arch-clamping technique in total arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk.

A technique called arch-clamping was used at our institute to ensure perfusion of the lower body and brain during total arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk (TAR and FET). The aortic arch clamp is inserted between the left common carotid artery and the left subclavian artery after inserting the stented elephant trunk into the true lumen of the descending aorta during the procedure, and then clamps the aorta and graft together as the distal anastomotic edge of the aorta. After the arch clamp was in place, lower body perfusion was resumed through the femoral artery was resumed and time to circulatory arrest was reduced to approximately 4 min.

Massive Bleeding After Surgical Repair in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection Patients: Risk Factors, Outcomes, and the Predicting Model.

Background: Massive bleeding throughout aortic repair in acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) patients is a common but severe condition that can cause multiple serious clinical problems. Here, we report our findings regarding risk factors, short-term outcomes, and predicting model for massive bleeding in ATAAD patients who underwent emergent aortic repair.

Methods: A universal definition of perioperative bleeding (UDPB) class 3 and 4 were used to define massive bleeding and comprehensively evaluate patients.

Risk factors and surgical prognosis in patients with aortic valve involvement caused by Takayasu arteritis.

Objective: Aortic valve involvement is not uncommon in patients with Takayasu arteritis (TAK) and leading to poor prognosis. The aim of our study was to explore the risk factors of aortic valve involvement and to evaluate the prognosis in TAK patients with aortic valve involvement.

Method: In this retrospective study, 172 TAK patients were divided into groups with or without aortic valve involvement to identify the risk factors.

Comparison of Open Repair vs. the One-Stage Hybrid Extra-Anatomic Technique for Distal Aortic Arch Disease Treatment: Mid-term Outcomes With a Risk-Adjusted Analysis.

This study aims to compare the short- and mid-term outcomes of the stented elephant trunk (SET) procedure combined with supra-arch branch reconstruction and one-stage hybrid arch repair combined thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with extra-anatomic bypass in the management of distal arch disease. From January 2009 to January 2019, 97 patients underwent one-stage hybrid arch repair combined with TEVAR with extra-anatomic bypass (HAR group), and 206 patients underwent the SET procedure with supra-arch branch reconstruction (SET group). We used inverse-probability-of treatment weighting (IPTW) to adjust baseline differences.

The role of CD8 Granzyme B T cells in the pathogenesis of Takayasu's arteritis.

Objective: T cell-mediated immune response plays a key role in Takayasu arteritis (TAK). Although previous studies have showed the roles of CD4T cell and its subsets in TAK, the change of CD8 T cell subsets remains unclear. This study investigated the role of CD8 T cell subsets in TAK.

CD8 T lymphocyte is a main source of interferon-gamma production in Takayasu's arteritis.

Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is a cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of Takayasu's arteritis (TAK). However, the source of IFN-γ in TAK patients is not fully clear. We aimed to investigate the source of IFN-γ in TAK.

One-stage hybrid procedure for distal aortic arch disease: mid-term experience at a single center.

Background: This study analyzes the outcomes of a one-stage hybrid procedure combining thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with extra-anatomic bypass in patients with distal aortic arch disease.

Methods: This retrospective study collected 103 hybrid procedures combining TEVAR with extra-anatomic bypass (mean age, 62.2±9.

Management of aortobronchial fistula: Experience of 14 cases.

Objectives: Aortobronchial fistula (ABF) is rare but lethal condition if left untreated, and the treatment still remains challenging. We retrospectively reviewed data at our Institution and report our experience in the management of ABF.

Methods: From September 2010 to May 2019, 14 patients (13 men, average age 52 ± 11 years) with ABF were treated in our hospital.

Management of acute type A aortic dissection during COVID-19 outbreak: Experience from Anzhen.

Objectives: We seek to report our management protocol and early outcomes of acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) repair during the early phase of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: From January 23 to April 30, 2020, we performed ATAAD repair for 33 patients, including three with pregnancy-related TAADs. Confirmation of COVID-19 depended on the results of two nucleic acid tests and pulmonary computed tomography scan.

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 inhibits angiotensin II-induced aortic smooth muscle cell phenotypic switch and matrix metalloproteinase expression.

New Findings: What is the central question of this study? Insulin-like growth factor 1 and its major binding protein insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) are involved in collagen deregulation in several cardiovascular diseases: what is the role of IGFBP3 in thoracic aortic dissection and does it regulate aortic smooth muscle cells' phenotypic switch? What is the main finding and its importance? IGFBP3 inhibits aortic smooth muscle cells' phenotypic switch from a contractile to a synthetic phenotype, decreases matrix metalloproteinase 9 activation and suppresses elastin degradation. These findings provide a better understanding of the pathogenesis of thoracic aortic dissection.

Abstract: Thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) is characterized by aortic media degeneration and is a highly lethal disease.

Thoracic aortic surgery: status and upcoming novelties.

Several novel technological developments and surgical approaches have characterized the field of aortic surgery in the recent decade. The progressive introduction of endovascular procedures, minimally invasive surgical techniques and hybrid approaches have changed the practice in aortic surgery and generated new trends and questions. Also, the advancements in the manufacturing of tissue engineered vascular grafts as substitutes for aortic replacements are enlightening new avenues in the treatment of aortic disease.

Aortic dissection during pregnancy and postpartum in patients with Marfan syndrome: a 21-year clinical experience in 30 patients.

Objectives: Pregnancy-related aortic dissection (AoD) in Marfan syndrome is a lethal catastrophe. Due to its rarity and limited clinical experience, there is no consensus regarding the optimal management strategy. We seek to present our 21-year experience in such patients , focusing on management strategies and early and late outcomes.

Elevated antistreptolysin O titer is closely related to cardiac mitral insufficiency in untreated patients with Takayasu arteritis.

Background: The etiology of Takayasu arteritis (TA) is unknown; however, a possible relationship between streptococcal infection and TA has been proposed. This study aimed to identify the clinical features and cardiac valvular involvement in untreated TA patients with an elevated antistreptolysin O (ASO) titer.

Methods: In this retrospective study, the clinical characteristics and features of valvular involvement were compared in TA patients with or without an elevated ASO titer.

Successful repair of acute type A aortic dissection during pregnancy at 16 gestational week with maternal and fetal survival: A case report and review of the literature.

Background: Aortic dissection during pregnancy is a rare but life-threatening event for mothers and fetuses. It often occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy and the postpartum period. Most patients have connective tissue diseases such as Marfan syndrome.