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This complex case study describes the surgical approach for a patient with chronic aortic dissection and multiple comorbidities. The patient had multiple previous surgeries, including aortic repair. The surgical approach involved a thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair with left heart bypass, spinal fluid drainage, selective visceral perfusion, and protection of the surviving kidney. A Dacron tube graft was used to replace the damaged area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine whether low total psoas muscle area (tPMA), as a surrogate for sarcopaenia, is a predictor of adverse outcomes in patients undergoing advanced EVAR. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of medical records was performed for 257 patients who underwent advanced EVAR (fenestrated or branched technique) in a single tertiary centre from 1 January 2008 to 1 September 2019. The study cohort was divided into tertiles based on tPMA measurement performed independently by two observers from a peri-procedural CT scan at the level of mid-L3 vertebral body. The low tertile was considered sarcopaenic. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association of tPMA with 30-day mortality and post-procedural complications. Univariable analysis and adjusted multivariable Cox regression were used to assess the association of tPMA with all-cause mortality. Results: A total of 257 patients comprised 193 males and 64 females with the mean age of 75.4 years (± 6.8) were included. Adjusted multivariable Cox regression revealed an 8% reduction in all-cause mortality for every 1 cm2 increase in tPMA, P < 0.05. TPMA was associated with 30-day mortality (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.75–0.96, P < 0.05) and spinal cord ischaemia (SCI) (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.82–0.97, P < 0.05). For remaining post-procedural complications, tPMA was not a useful predictive tool. TPMA correlated negatively with hospital stay length (rs-0.26, P < 0.001). Patients with lower tPMA were more likely to be discharged to a rehabilitation center (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.87–0.98 , P < 0.05). Conclusion: Measurement of tPMA can be a useful predictive tool for adverse outcomes after advanced EVAR. Level of Evidence: Level 3, Retrospective cohort study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Purpose: To report early and mid-term results of post-aortic dissection thoracoabdominal aneurysms (pD-TAAA) treated by complex endografting in three tertiary referral hospitals.Materials and Methods: A review of all patients with pD-TAAA unfit for open surgery treated with complex endovascular repair from 2012 to 2018 was performed. Simple thoracic endografts (TEVAR) were excluded. Staged procedures in case of extensive aortic coverage were always planned.Results: In total, 21 patients (16 males, mean age 63 ± 10 years) with pD-TAAA underwent aortic repair by fenestrated or branched thoracoabdominal endografts for visceral vessels. Mean TAAA diameter was 61 ± 6.2 mm. Spinal cord drainage was performed in all patients. A staged approach was used in 12 (57%) cases. Technical success was achieved in 18 (86%) patients. No in-hospital deaths occurred. Two patients experienced transient post-procedural spinal cord ischemia. At 30 days, six type II endoleaks (29%), two type Ic endoleak (9.5%) and one type IIIc endoleak (5%) were reported. At a mean follow-up of 23 ± 13 months, no late aortic-related deaths occurred. Three patients underwent reintervention for type Ic and IIIc endoleaks. No visceral vessel occlusion was observed. Estimated freedom from reintervention at 12 and 24 months was 85.7 ± 0.7%. In 13 cases, TAAA diameter decreased at least 5 mm, while increased > 5 mm in only one case. Complete false lumen thrombosis was achieved in 18 patients (86%).Conclusion: Complex endografting for pD-TAAA showed favorable mid-term results. Staged and carefully planned endovascular procedures may represent a safe and effective therapeutic option in patients deemed at high risk of open repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To describe a percutaneous "purse-string-like" technique to downsize the femoral access sheath achieving early pelvis and limb reperfusion during complex endovascular aortic repair, while maintaining a sheath in place.Materials and Methods: After ultrasound-guided femoral catheterization, two Perclose ProGlide vascular closure devices (VCD) are employed with the pre-close technique. When the deployment of aortic components is complete, the large delivery sheath is exchanged for a smaller non-occlusive one (≤ 10 F) and the rail suture of both VCDs is pulled to achieve hemostasis. At the end of the procedure, the access is closed according to standard technique.Results: Fifty-eight femoral accesses were downsized achieving hemostasis with a completion percutaneous closure success of 95% (55/58). The median ischemic time to the limb was 66 min (IQR 31-131) for the main access and 65 min (IQR 30-100) for the contralateral one. When compared to a 1:2 propensity score-matched cohort who did not undergo access downsizing, no differences in closure success were recorded (95% vs. 89%, p = 0.19). However, hemostasis required more frequently an additional ProGlide in the downsizing group (26 cases, 45% vs. 17 cases, 15%; p < .001).Conclusion: Percutaneous purse-string-like sheath downsizing to restore perfusion to limbs and pelvis during complex endovascular aortic repair is feasible with high closure success rates, although a third ProGlide is more frequently needed to achieve hemostasis. The impact of this practice on SCI rates requires further evaluation in larger series as part of a multimodal approach for spinal cord protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: (1) There is lack of epidemiological data on penetrating trauma in European countries. (2) In Finland most acts of violence are performed under the influence of alcohol. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and types of injury, treatment and survival of patients with penetrating injuries to the thorax and abdomen. Methods: This study includes two trauma centers with combined catchment area of approximately 720,000 patients. Patients were identified from patient records using ICD-10 codes. Results: Patients were predominantly young males and they were stab victims. The average yearly incidence for penetrating trauma was 0.9/100,000 inhabitants. Thirteen percent of patients admitted gave a negative toxicology screen or breathalyzer test for alcohol. Twenty two percent of wounds were self-inflicted. Fifty five percent of patients received a chest tube and 30 patients (23 %) underwent emergent thoracotomy after sustaining critical injury to the thorax. A considerable proportion (12 %) of the study group also later died due to alcohol and/or violence, highlighting the psychosocial co-morbidity among penetrating trauma victims. Discussion: Chest tube insertion is a skill to be mastered by any on-call physician. This simple procedure can be potentially life-saving. There is also a call for assessment of psychosocial well-being among penetrating trauma victims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diaphragmatic injuries from penetrating thoracoabdominal trauma are notoriously difficult to detect with clinical and radiological evaluation. The aim of this study was to establish the incidence of diaphragmatic injury from penetrating thoracoabdominal trauma, clinical and radiological features predictive of a diaphragmatic injury and the feasibility of laparoscopic repair. Methods: This is a prospective consecutive case series conducted in a metropolitan hospital complex. Fifty five patients were enrolled into the study and underwent a standardized laparoscopic procedure. Only stable patients were selected and right-sided penetrating thoracoabdominal injuries were excluded. The patients' clinical details, radiological findings, operative procedure, treatment of the diaphragmatic injury and complications were collected and analysed. Results: There were a total of 55 patients, of whom, 22 (40 %) had diaphragmatic injuries. The mean age was 26.3 ± 7.8 years (range 15-44) with a male:female ratio of 10:1. The causes of injury were stab in 54 (98.2 %) patients and firearm in one (1.8 %). Twenty six (47.3 %) patients had positive radiological findings, of which 10 (38.5 %) had a diaphragmatic injury. There were 6 (27.3 %) associated intra-abdominal injuries. Twenty one (95.5 %) of 22 patients with diaphragmatic injuries were successfully repaired laparoscopically. Mean duration of procedure with diaphragmatic repair was 74.9 ± 22.5 min compared to 38.3 ± 16.9 min without diaphragmatic repair. Six patients (10.9 %) had minor intra-operative complications. There were no deaths. Hospital stay was 2.9 ± 3.4 days. Conclusions: Diaphragmatic injury was present in 40 % of patients with left-sided thoracoabdominal injury. Radiological findings were not reliable in predicting diaphragmatic injury. The majority of these injuries can be safely repaired laparoscopically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thoracic incisions are the portals of choice for accessing thoracic organs. There are instances, however, that more than one incision are required at the same or a later stage, in order to access other, thoracic or extrathoracic, organs for more complicated procedures. Then again, a single thoracic incision may offer more than adequate access to extrathoracic organs and in selected cases becomes valuable surgical approach to organs of the upper abdomen or the contralateral hemithorax. The experience with this technique is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of the stydy: The aim of the study was to investigate perioperative prognostic factors and long-term outcome following conventional open repair (COR) of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA) and chronic expanding aortic dissections (CEAD). Patients and methods: Between March 1993 and December 2005, 92 patients underwent elective COR for TAAA or CEAD in our institution. Passive distal aortic perfusion during cross-clamping was used in 36 patients (39%). Medical records and imaging studies of all patients were reviewed. Follow-up included history, physical examination and CT or MR angiography. Median follow-up was 40 months (range 1-139 months). Results: Intraoperative, 30-day and in-hospital mortality rates were 2%, 8% and 12%, respectively. The estimated survival rate after 5 years was 70% and 43% of all deaths were cardiac related. The paraplegia rate was 10%, the rate of patients developing chronic renal failure requiring hemodialysis was 3% and 21% of patients required surgical revision. In multivariate analyses the need for surgical revision (OR: 8.465; CI: 0.802-89.318; p=0.024) and postoperative elevated serum transaminase values (OR: 1.009; CI: 1.002-1.017; p=0.017) independently predicted 30-day mortality. Peripheral arterial disease (OR: 4.41; CI:1.672-11.611; p=0.003), intraoperative complications such as disseminated intravasal coagulation and asystole (OR: 4.28; CI: 1.128-16.267; p=0.033), postoperative elevated bilirubin values >2.5 mg/dl (OR: 1.06; CI: 1.009-1.112; p=0.019), and postoperative ventilation >7 days (OR: 7.79; CI: 2.499-24.246; p<0,0001) independently predicted long-term mortality. Conclusion: Postoperative elevated liver values represent negative prognostic factors and may indicate a more standardized use of active shunt systems for organ perfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients in acute respiratory distress require rapid assessment of the cause of dyspnea. We have observed that many of those patients who are in congestive heart failure (CHF) exhibit rounding of the abdominal cross-section during expiration. We sought to evaluate the diagnostic utility of this breathing pattern in dyspneic patients presenting to an emergency department. Twenty-six subjects with dyspnea due to a variety of conditions were recruited from the emergency department at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Subjects ranged in age from 21 to 94 years and 81% were female. We measured variation in the anteroposterior and transverse diameters of the rib cage and abdomen using respiratory magnetometers and determined phase of respiration with a pneumotachometer. Investigators blinded to the subjects’ identities and diagnoses interpreted measurements as indicating normal respiratory movement without expiratory abdominal rounding, slight expiratory rounding, or pronounced expiratory rounding. The likely cause of dyspnea was determined from discharge diagnoses in the medical record. Expiratory rounding was observed in 12/14 subjects with CHF and 5/12 subjects without CHF ( p = 0.0186), and pronounced expiratory rounding was present in 11/14 patients with CHF and 2/12 patients without CHF ( p = 0.0016). Test characteristics for the association of CHF with pronounced expiratory rounding were sensitivity 79%, specificity 83%, and predictive accuracy 81%. In patients with acute respiratory distress, expiratory abdominal rounding suggests CHF as the primary cause of dyspnea; a greater degree of rounding suggests a greater likelihood of CHF. The clinical utility of this diagnostic sign remains to be determined in a prospective study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]