Unequal pressure distribution along the jaws of currently available vascular clamps: do we need a new aortic clamp?

Objectives: The pressure along vascular clamp jaws may be unequally distributed, with greater pressure near the clamp hinge than at its top. Such unequal pressure distribution may cause aortic injury, especially in large aortas. We evaluated pressure distribution along different currently availably clamp jaws.

The TEVAR App: a contemporary guide to thoracic endovascular aortic repair†.

There is a growing number of devices used for thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). The designs of stent grafts and their delivery systems differ substantially. The success of TEVAR is based on the correct use of stent graft delivery systems, the identification and understanding of radiopaque markers, and the stent graft's accurate placement.

Biomechanical analysis of wrapping of the moderately dilated ascending aorta.

Background: External wrapping is a surgical method performed to prevent the dilatation of the aorta and to decrease the risk of its dissection and rupture. However, it is also believed to cause degeneration of the aortic wall. A biomechanical analysis was thus performed to assess the stress of the aortic wall subjected to external wrapping.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients with ascending aortic dilatation: safety of the procedure and mid-term follow-up†.

Objectives: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) does not enable concomitant or simultaneous ascending aortic intervention. This investigation evaluates the safety of TAVI in patients with ascending aortic dilatation and demonstrates mid-term follow-up.

Methods: From November 2007 to December 2012, among 1143 patients with severe aortic stenosis screened for TAVI, a cohort of 457 patients met the inclusion criteria.

Iatrogenic acute aortic dissection type A: insight from the German Registry for Acute Aortic Dissection Type A (GERAADA).

Objectives: Previous investigators have reported a grave prognosis for iatrogenic acute aortic dissection (iAADA), but such studies are limited by their small sample sizes. The purpose of the current study was to analyse the clinical characteristics, current management and surgical outcomes in a large number of iAADA patients identified through a multicentre registry.

Methods: Between July 2006 and June 2010, 50 centres participated in the German Registry for Acute Aortic Dissection Type A (GERAADA).

Results of high-risk endovascular procedures in patients with non-dissected thoracic aortic pathology: intermediate outcomes.

Objectives: To investigate mid-term outcome in patients undergoing thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for non-dissected aortic pathology with favourable and unfavourable landing zone and aortic anatomy.

Methods: Between 2000 and 2011, TEVAR was performed in 208 patients with descending thoracic aortic disease. Of 105 patients with non-dissected thoracic aortic pathology, 69 presented with unfavourable anatomy as defined by short length (<15 mm), large diameter (>42 mm), angulation of >60° of the proximal or distal landing zone or extreme aortic tortuosity.

Supracoronary ascending aortic replacement in patients with acute aortic dissection type A: what happens to the aortic root in the long run?

Objective: Our objective was to determine long-term outcome predictors for patients with acute aortic dissection type A (AADA) and aortic root involvement.

Methods: From 2001 through 2009, 119 of 152 patients operated on for AADA at a tertiary medical center underwent supracoronary ascending aortic replacement (52 women; mean age, 61 ± 15 years). Those with at least 1-year follow-up (n = 97) were retrospectively assessed for preoperative aortic root disease.