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Abstract Background Aortic valve replacement (AVR) with a small aortic annulus is always challenging for the cardiac surgeon. In this study, we sought to evaluate the midterm performance of implantation with a 17-mm or 19-mm St. Jude Medical Regent (SJM Regent) mechanical valve in retrospective consecutive cohort of patients with small aortic annulus (diameter ≤ 19 mm). Methods From January 2008 to April 2011, 40 patients (31 female, mean age = 47.2 ± 5.8 years) with small aortic annulus (≤19 mm in diameter) underwent aortic valve replacement with a 17-mm or 19-mm St. Jude Medical Regent (SJM Regent) mechanical valve. Preoperative mean body surface area, New York Heart Association class, and mean aortic annulus were 1.61 ± 0.26 m2, 3.2 ± 0.4, and 18 ± 1.4 mm respectively. Patients were divided into two groups, according to the implantation of 17 mm SJM Regent mechanical valve (group 1, n = 18) or 19 mm SJM Regent valve (group 2, n = 22). All patients underwent echocardiography examination preoperatively and at one year post-operation. Results There were no early deaths in either group. Follow-up time averaged 36 ± 17.6 months. The mean postoperative New York Heart Association class was 1.3 ± 0.6 (p 2/m2 to 69.8 ± 9.3%, 41.4 ± 8.3%, and 0.92 ± 0.10 cm2/m2 respectively (P 2, 46.1 ± 8.5 mmHg to 86.7 ± 18.2 g/m2 , 13.7 ± 5.2 mmHg respectively. In group 2, the LVEF, LVFS and EOAI increased from 45.9% ± 9.7%, 30.7% ± 8.0%, and 0.81 ± 0.09 cm2/m2 to 77.4% ± 9.7%, 44.5% ± 9.6%, and 1.27 ± 0.11 cm2/m2 respectively, while the LVMI, and the aortic transvalvular pressure gradient decreased from 118.3 ± 27.6 g/m2, 44.0 ± 6.7 mmHg to 80.1 ± 19.7 g/m2, 10.8 ± 4.1 mmHg as well. The prevalence of PPM was documented in 2 patients in Group 1. Conclusions Patients with small aortic annulus and body surface area, experienced satisfactory clinical improvement after aortic valve replacement with modern SJM Regent bileaflet prostheses.

Abstract Acute aortic type A dissection is a life-threatening disease that requires immediate surgical intervention. When dissection occurs during pregnancy, it is of high risk for both the mother and the fetus. In this study, we reported two cases of acute aortic dissection in late pregnancy at 28 weeks and 32 weeks of gestation respectively. After the two patients underwent a cesarean section and delivered a baby, we performed composite graft replacement of the aortic valve, aortic root and ascending aorta, with re-implantation of the coronary arteries into the graft (Bentall procedure) instead of repairing the arch with deep hypothermia and circulation arrest. Both mothers and children survived and recovered well.

Background: Limited experiences of applying an on-pump beating-heart technique for surgical revascularization in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction have been reported. Which strategy, either off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or on-pump beating-heart CABG surgery, is the best strategy for surgical revascularization in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction is still controversial. This single-center study aimed to evaluate the impacts of an on-pump beating-heart versus an off-pump technique for surgical revascularization on the early clinical outcomes in patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 35% or less to explore which technique would be more suitable for surgical revascularization in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction.Methods: A total of 216 consecutive patients with an echocardiographic estimated LVEF of 35% or less who underwent non-emergency, primary, isolated CABG from January 2010 to December 2014 were included in this study and were divided into either an ONBEAT group (patients who received on-pump beating-heart CABG surgery, n = 88) or an OFF group (patients who received off-pump CABG surgery, n = 128). The early clinical outcomes were investigated and compared.Results: Patients in the ONBEAT group compared to the OFF group had a significant higher early postoperative LVEF (35.6 ± 2.9 vs. 34.8 ± 3.3%, p = 0.034) but shared a similar baseline LVEF (31.0 ± 2.8 vs. 31.0 ± 2.9%, p = 0.930). Patients in the ONBEAT group compared to the OFF group received a greater number of grafts and an increased amount of drainage during the first 24 h (3.7 ± 0.8 vs. 2.8 ± 0.6, p <0.001; 715 ± 187 ml vs. 520 ± 148 ml, p <0.001, respectively), without evidence of worse in-hospital mortality or major postoperative morbidity. Additionally, logistic regression analysis showed that surgical technique (on-pump beating-heart CABG vs. off-pump CABG) had no independent influence on in-hospital mortality or major postoperative morbidity in patients with preoperative LVEF of 35% or less.Conclusions: The on-pump beating-heart technique may be an acceptable alternative to the off-pump technique for surgical revascularization in patients with an estimated LVEF of 35% or less. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to analyze the mortality and morbidity of patients undergoing open aortic arch reconstruction for acute type A aortic dissection.Methods: Between September 2005 and January 2012, 267 consecutive patients underwent open aortic arch reconstruction for acute type A aortic dissection at our center. The mean age was 51.2 ± 10.0 years, and 200 patients were male. Sixty-three and 184 patients underwent hemiarch replacement and total arch replacement, respectively, whereas the remaining 20 patients underwent single- or triple-branched stent graft implantation. Long-term mortality was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method.Results: The in-hospital and operative mortality rates within 30 days were 11.2 % and 8.2 %, respectively. The cardiopulmonary bypass, myocardial ischemic, and antegrade cerebral perfusion times were 150.2 ± 43.3, 71.9 ± 33.2, and 33.6 ± 14.4 min, respectively. The overall in-hospital and intensive care unit durations and mean ventilation time were 23.9 ± 18.4 and 9.5 ± 12.7 days and 122.7 ± 183.4 h, respectively. We observed new postoperative permanent neurological dysfunction in 29 patients and temporary neurological dysfunction in 17 patients. The mean follow-up duration was 52.4 ± 27.9 months; 76.4 % of patients completed follow-up and 143 remained alive. Overall long-term survival was 82.2 % at 5 years.Conclusions: The open aortic arch reconstruction technique for acute type A dissection carries a relatively high in-hospital mortality risk, although the late results are encouraging. Patients with an advanced age or impaired renal function may opt for endovascular or modified single- or triple-branched stent graft implantation therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mild preoperative renal insufficiency is not rare in patients receiving isolated off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (OPCAB) surgery. However, there is less study aimed to evaluate the impact of mild preoperative renal insufficiency on in-hospital and follow-up outcomes after isolated OPCAB surgery. This single-centre, retrospective propensity score matching study aimed to evaluate the impact of mild preoperative renal insufficiency on in-hospital and long-term outcomes after first isolated OPCAB surgery.Methods: After propensity score matching, 1236 patients with preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of more than 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) undergoing first isolated OPCAB surgery from January 2007 to December 2011 were entered into this study and were divided to normal group (eGFR ≥ 90 ml/min/1.73 m(2), n = 618) and mild group (eGFR of 60-89 ml/min/1.73 m(2), n = 618). The in-hospital and long-term outcomes were investigated and retrospectively analyzed.Results: The 2 propensity score-matched groups had similar baseline and procedural characteristics except the baseline eGFR. Thirty-five patients died during the same hospitalization or within 30 days of operation, with a surgical mortality of 2.8 %. Sixty-seven patients died during follow-up, with a long-term survival of 94.1 %. Univariate factor analysis showed that the 2 propensity score-matched groups have similar rates among in-hospital outcomes. Kaplan-Meier curves displayed a similar in-hospital survival between the 2 groups (χ(2) = 0.728, p = 0.393), while a better long-term survival in patients with normal preoperative renal function compared with mild preoperative renal insufficiency (χ(2) = 4.722, p = 0.030). After Cox proportional model was used, the hazard ratio for long-term mortality in patients with mild preoperative renal insufficiency compared with normal preoperative renal function was 1.72 (95 % CI 1.06-2.83, p = 0.032).Conclusions: Mild preoperative renal insufficiency compared with normal preoperative renal function reduced long-term survival, without evidence of worse in-hospital outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The primary experience of open triple-branched stent graft placement for acute aortic arch dissection was reported.Methods: Between January 2011 and October 2011, 13 well-selected patients (mea age, 46±8.2 years; approximate range, 30~58 years) with acute aortic arch dissection underwent open triple-branched stent graft placement for total arch reconstruction. The triple-branched stent graft was a branched 1-piece graft consisting of a self-expandable nitinol stent and polyester vascular graft fabric (Yuhengjia Sci Tech Corp Ltd, Beijing, China). During hypothermic circulatory arrest, through the transverse incision of the ascending aorta, the main graft of the triple-branched stent graft was inserted into the true lumen of the arch and proximal descending aorta, and then each sidearm graft was positioned one by one into the aortic branch. Once the main graft and sidearm grafts were properly positioned, the restraining strings were withdrawn and then the main graft and sidearm grafts were deployed. Enhanced electric beam computed tomography was performed in each patient before discharge to evaluate the postoperative time course of the residual false lumen.Results: Open triple-branched stent graft placement was technically successful in all patients. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross-clamp time and arrest time were 138.40±47.75 min, 70.60±28.94 min and 28.60±12.48 min, respectively. All patients were discharged from hospital. Their computed tomographic scans postoperatively showed that all stent grafts were fully opened and not kinked, there was no blood flow surrounding the triple-branched stent graft.Conclusion: Open triple-branched stent graft placement is a new effective technique for total arch reconstruction in acute arch dissection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitral Valve Aneurysm (MVA) is rarely reported and occurs most in association with infective endocarditis of the aortic valve. In our case, the 46-yr-old Chinese man was referred to our hospital with dyspnea and orthopnea. Transesophageal echocardiography during operation revealed a localized, thin-walled saccular structure in the anterior leaflet that bulged into the left atrium, and severe mitral and aortic regurgitation. Aortic valve was replaced with mechanical prostheses and mitral valve was repaired with autologous pericardium. Transesophageal echocardiography during operation and transthoracic echocardiography 3 months later showed mild regurgitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacies of goal-directed renal replacement therapy (GDRRT) and daily hemofiltration (DHF) for treating acute kidney injury (AKI) patients after cardiac surgery.Methods: In our retrospective study, we included 140 cardiac surgery AKI patients who were treated with renal replacement therapy (RRT) from 2002 to 2010. Two patient groups, which comprised 70 patients who received DHF from January 2002 to September 2008 and 70 patients treated with GDRRT from October 2009 to September 2010 were pair-wise compared regarding clinical outcomes, as well as the incidence of adverse events.Results: In-hospital and 30-day mortality rates were 45.7% and 41.4% in the GDRRT and 48.6% and 54.3% in the DHF group, respectively, but without statistically significant differences. GDRRT patients needed statistically significantly shorter hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stays, less frequent RRT, and shorter RRT sessions, whereas, of 11 analyzed renal outcome parameters, 6 values, including percentage of complete renal recovery and time for complete renal recovery, were significantly superior in the GDRRT group at the time of discharge. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events within the initial 72 treatment hours between the 2 groups. Hospitalization expenses were less in GDRRT group than in DHF group.Conclusion: The GDRRT approach is superior to DHF for improving renal outcome, as well as reducing the time and cost of RRT therapy, for cardiac surgery AKI patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 57-year-old Chinese male patient presented with Standford type A aortic dissection with an aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA). At operation, the ascending aorta was replaced by a mono-branch vascular prosthesis with the branch bypassing to the ARSA; the triple-branched stent graft was inserted into the true lumen of the arch and proximal descending aorta (covering the origin of the ARSA) with each sidearm graft being positioned into the aortic branches; and then its proximal end was sutured to mono-branched vascular prosthesis. Follow-up computed tomography angiography showed false lumen of the dissection disappeared with satisfactory position of the triple-branched stent graft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute type A aortic dissection (TAAD) is a life-threatening vascular disease. Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are the main composition of aortic media and dysfunction of SMCs may lead to acute TAAD. The aim of this work was to investigate whether the SMCs of acute TAAD could be isolated and cultured for further research.Methods: TAAD tissues were obtained from acute TAAD patients who underwent emergent surgical treatment. A simple and economical technique of collagenase digestion method was used to isolate and culture human SMCs. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was applied to identify SMC phenotypes. Purity of isolated and cultured SMCs was analyzed with flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy respectively.Results: The purity of isolated SMCs was 78.2%, including α-smooth muscle cell actin positive 13.9%, calponin positive 35.0% and double positive 29.3%. For cultured SMCs, abundant expression of α-smooth muscle cell actin was observed universally under fluorescence microscope. Confocal laser scanning microscope testified that cultured cells were double positive of α-smooth muscle actin and calponin.Conclusions: This is the first report of successful culture of SMCs isolated from human acute TAAD tissues. Living human SMCs of acute TAAD provides us with a new method for studying formation of acute TAAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to retrospectively investigate our experience of surgical treatment for acute type A aortic dissection in patients older than 70 years.Methods: From September 2005 to January 2012, eleven patients who were older than 70 years underwent surgical treatment for type A aortic dissection at our center and were included in this study. Total arch replacement was performed in three patients, seven patients underwent subtotal arch replacement and one with single-branched stent graft implantation. One patient underwent a valve-sparing (David) procedure while another underwent a concomitant aortic valve replacement (Wheat procedure). One patient required coronary artery bypass grafting. All operations were performed under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and selective antegrade cerebral perfusion.Results: There was one in-hospital death (9.1%) and no operative mortality within 30 days. Cardiopulmonary bypass time, myocardial ischemic time and antegrade cerebral perfusion time accounted for 151.4 ± 33.5 minutes, 68.5 ± 41.4 minutes and 30.3 ± 12.9 minutes, respectively. Overall in-hospital duration, intensive care unit (ICU) time and mean ventilation time were 40.9 ± 40.3 days, 16.5 ± 22.5 days and 90.5 ± 139.4 hours, respectively. New postoperative permanent neurological dysfunction and temporary neurological dysfunction were observed in one patient (9.1%) and in three patients (27.3%), respectively. Mean follow-up was 49.0 ± 19.9 months and nine patients are still alive, one patient died of cancer after 24 months postoperation.Conclusions: Surgical management for acute type A dissection in patients older than 70 years is a safe alternative with acceptable risk of death and the early and late results are satisfactory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute aortic type A dissection is a life-threatening disease that requires immediate surgical intervention. When dissection occurs during pregnancy, it is of high risk for both the mother and the fetus. In this study, we reported two cases of acute aortic dissection in late pregnancy at 28 weeks and 32 weeks of gestation respectively. After the two patients underwent a cesarean section and delivered a baby, we performed composite graft replacement of the aortic valve, aortic root and ascending aorta, with re-implantation of the coronary arteries into the graft (Bentall procedure) instead of repairing the arch with deep hypothermia and circulation arrest. Both mothers and children survived and recovered well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Limited experiences of applying an on-pump beating-heart technique for surgical revascularization in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction have been reported. Which strategy, either off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or on-pump beating-heart CABG surgery, is the best strategy for surgical revascularization in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction is still controversial. This single-center study aimed to evaluate the impacts of an on-pump beating-heart versus an off-pump technique for surgical revascularization on the early clinical outcomes in patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 35% or less to explore which technique would be more suitable for surgical revascularization in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction., Methods: A total of 216 consecutive patients with an echocardiographic estimated LVEF of 35% or less who underwent non-emergency, primary, isolated CABG from January 2010 to December 2014 were included in this study and were divided into either an ONBEAT group (patients who received on-pump beating-heart CABG surgery, n = 88) or an OFF group (patients who received off-pump CABG surgery, n = 128). The early clinical outcomes were investigated and compared., Results: Patients in the ONBEAT group compared to the OFF group had a significant higher early postoperative LVEF (35.6 ± 2.9 vs. 34.8 ± 3.3%, p = 0.034) but shared a similar baseline LVEF (31.0 ± 2.8 vs. 31.0 ± 2.9%, p = 0.930). Patients in the ONBEAT group compared to the OFF group received a greater number of grafts and an increased amount of drainage during the first 24 h (3.7 ± 0.8 vs. 2.8 ± 0.6, p <0.001; 715 ± 187 ml vs. 520 ± 148 ml, p <0.001, respectively), without evidence of worse in-hospital mortality or major postoperative morbidity. Additionally, logistic regression analysis showed that surgical technique (on-pump beating-heart CABG vs. off-pump CABG) had no independent influence on in-hospital mortality or major postoperative morbidity in patients with preoperative LVEF of 35% or less., Conclusions: The on-pump beating-heart technique may be an acceptable alternative to the off-pump technique for surgical revascularization in patients with an estimated LVEF of 35% or less.

Background: Heart transplantation is an uncommon treatment for unresectable and non-metastatic primary cardiac sarcomas, and the role of it is unclear. This study aims to offer a survival analysis of it., Methods: This study consists of 6 patients from our institution and 40 patients identified in a literature search who underwent heart transplantation for non-metastatic primary cardiac sarcomas. Seven patients with unresectable cardiac angiosarcoma who received palliative therapies at our institution were included for comparison. All the clinicopathologic data were collected, retrospectively reviewed and statistically analyzed., Results: Among the 46 patients receiving heart transplantation for primary cardiac sarcomas, the overall median survival was 16 months (2-112 months). The most common histologic type receiving heart transplantation was angiosarcoma. Its median survival time after heart transplantation (n = 14) was much less than that of other histologic types (n = 31) (9 vs 36 months; P = 0.002), which means it was not different from the median survival of 8 months for patients (n = 7) receiving palliative therapies (P = 0.768). The patients with grade 2 cardiac sarcomas (n = 5) survived much longer after heart transplantations than patients with grade 3 tumors (n = 15) (mean survival: 85 vs 18 months; P = 0.006). Neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy didn't provide survival benefits after heart transplantation., Conclusions: Cardiac angiosarcoma seems to be not the proper indication of heart transplantation. The role of heart transplantation in other histologic subtypes still remains undefined. Lower grade and less aggressive histologic subtypes benefit more from heart transplantation.

Background: This study aimed to analyze the mortality and morbidity of patients undergoing open aortic arch reconstruction for acute type A aortic dissection., Methods: Between September 2005 and January 2012, 267 consecutive patients underwent open aortic arch reconstruction for acute type A aortic dissection at our center. The mean age was 51.2 ± 10.0 years, and 200 patients were male. Sixty-three and 184 patients underwent hemiarch replacement and total arch replacement, respectively, whereas the remaining 20 patients underwent single- or triple-branched stent graft implantation. Long-term mortality was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method., Results: The in-hospital and operative mortality rates within 30 days were 11.2 % and 8.2 %, respectively. The cardiopulmonary bypass, myocardial ischemic, and antegrade cerebral perfusion times were 150.2 ± 43.3, 71.9 ± 33.2, and 33.6 ± 14.4 min, respectively. The overall in-hospital and intensive care unit durations and mean ventilation time were 23.9 ± 18.4 and 9.5 ± 12.7 days and 122.7 ± 183.4 h, respectively. We observed new postoperative permanent neurological dysfunction in 29 patients and temporary neurological dysfunction in 17 patients. The mean follow-up duration was 52.4 ± 27.9 months; 76.4 % of patients completed follow-up and 143 remained alive. Overall long-term survival was 82.2 % at 5 years., Conclusions: The open aortic arch reconstruction technique for acute type A dissection carries a relatively high in-hospital mortality risk, although the late results are encouraging. Patients with an advanced age or impaired renal function may opt for endovascular or modified single- or triple-branched stent graft implantation therapy.

Background: Mild preoperative renal insufficiency is not rare in patients receiving isolated off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (OPCAB) surgery. However, there is less study aimed to evaluate the impact of mild preoperative renal insufficiency on in-hospital and follow-up outcomes after isolated OPCAB surgery. This single-centre, retrospective propensity score matching study aimed to evaluate the impact of mild preoperative renal insufficiency on in-hospital and long-term outcomes after first isolated OPCAB surgery., Methods: After propensity score matching, 1236 patients with preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of more than 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) undergoing first isolated OPCAB surgery from January 2007 to December 2011 were entered into this study and were divided to normal group (eGFR ≥ 90 ml/min/1.73 m(2), n = 618) and mild group (eGFR of 60-89 ml/min/1.73 m(2), n = 618). The in-hospital and long-term outcomes were investigated and retrospectively analyzed., Results: The 2 propensity score-matched groups had similar baseline and procedural characteristics except the baseline eGFR. Thirty-five patients died during the same hospitalization or within 30 days of operation, with a surgical mortality of 2.8 %. Sixty-seven patients died during follow-up, with a long-term survival of 94.1 %. Univariate factor analysis showed that the 2 propensity score-matched groups have similar rates among in-hospital outcomes. Kaplan-Meier curves displayed a similar in-hospital survival between the 2 groups (χ(2) = 0.728, p = 0.393), while a better long-term survival in patients with normal preoperative renal function compared with mild preoperative renal insufficiency (χ(2) = 4.722, p = 0.030). After Cox proportional model was used, the hazard ratio for long-term mortality in patients with mild preoperative renal insufficiency compared with normal preoperative renal function was 1.72 (95 % CI 1.06-2.83, p = 0.032)., Conclusions: Mild preoperative renal insufficiency compared with normal preoperative renal function reduced long-term survival, without evidence of worse in-hospital outcomes.

Background: The purpose of the research was to find out the factors which influence plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels, then to assess whether preoperative plasma NT-proBNP levels could predict postoperative outcomes of cardiac surgery., Methods: Between November 2008 and February 2010,225 patients who underwent cardiac surgery in our department were included in the study. The mean age was 61.25 ± 2.54 years, and 156 (69.3%) patients were male. NT-proBNP, CK-MB, cTnT and creatinine levels were measured preoperatively and 24 hours after operation. Postoperatively outcomes including ventilation time, length of stay in ICU and hospital, and mortality were closely monitored. The endpoints includes: 1) use of inotropic agents or intra-aortic balloon pump ≥24 h; 2) creatinine level elevated to hemodialysis; 3) cardiac events; 4) ICU stay ≥5d; 5) ventilation dependence ≥ 72 h; 6) deaths within 30 days of surgery., Results: NT-proBNP concentrations (median [interquartile range]) increased from 728.4 pg/ml (IQR 213.5 to 2551 pg/ml) preoperatively to 1940.5 pg/ml (IQR 995.9 to 3892 pg/ml) postoperatively (P = 0.015). Preoperative atrial fibrillation, NYHA class III/IV, ejection fraction, pulmonary arterial pressure, left ventricle end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), preoperative plasma creatinine and cTnT levels were significantly associated with preoperative NT-proBNP levels in univariate analysis. The preoperative NT-proBNP was closely related to ventilation time (P = 0.009), length of stay in ICU (P = 0.004) and length of stay in hospital (P = 0.019). Receiver operating characteristic curves demonstrated a cut-off value above 2773.5 pg/ml was the best cutoff (sensitivity of 63.6% and specificity of 80.8%) to predict the mortality within 30d of surgery., Conclusions: Preoperative plasma NT-proBNP level presents a high individual variability in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. NYHA classification, ejection fraction, pulmonary arterial pressure, LVEDD, atrial fibrillation, preoperative plasma creatinine, and cTnT levels are significantly associated with preoperative NT-proBNP levels. Preoperative NT-proBNP is a valuable marker in predicting postoperative outcomes.

Background: The primary experience of open triple-branched stent graft placement for acute aortic arch dissection was reported., Methods: Between January 2011 and October 2011, 13 well-selected patients (mea age, 46±8.2 years; approximate range, 30~58 years) with acute aortic arch dissection underwent open triple-branched stent graft placement for total arch reconstruction. The triple-branched stent graft was a branched 1-piece graft consisting of a self-expandable nitinol stent and polyester vascular graft fabric (Yuhengjia Sci Tech Corp Ltd, Beijing, China). During hypothermic circulatory arrest, through the transverse incision of the ascending aorta, the main graft of the triple-branched stent graft was inserted into the true lumen of the arch and proximal descending aorta, and then each sidearm graft was positioned one by one into the aortic branch. Once the main graft and sidearm grafts were properly positioned, the restraining strings were withdrawn and then the main graft and sidearm grafts were deployed. Enhanced electric beam computed tomography was performed in each patient before discharge to evaluate the postoperative time course of the residual false lumen., Results: Open triple-branched stent graft placement was technically successful in all patients. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross-clamp time and arrest time were 138.40±47.75 min, 70.60±28.94 min and 28.60±12.48 min, respectively. All patients were discharged from hospital. Their computed tomographic scans postoperatively showed that all stent grafts were fully opened and not kinked, there was no blood flow surrounding the triple-branched stent graft., Conclusion: Open triple-branched stent graft placement is a new effective technique for total arch reconstruction in acute arch dissection.