[Modified total arch replacement plus stented elephant trunk implantation in acute type A aortic dissection: open single-branched stent graft placement].

Objective: To explore the feasibility of open single-branched stent graft placement for simplified total arch replacement in acute Stanford type A aortic dissection.
Methods: Between June 2008 and September 2009, 23 patients with acute Stanford type A aortic dissection underwent total arch replacement plus open single-branched stent graft placement. When core nasopharyngeal temperature dropped to 68 H, the perfusion to lower body was discontinued. Left common carotid artery was transected at its ostium and its proximal stump closed. The arch was transected at a predetermined line between innominate artery and left common carotid artery. Through a transverse incision, the main stent graft of single-branched stent graft was inserted into true lumen of descending aorta. And the side arm stent graft was positioned into left subclavian artery. The transected stump of arch was reconstructed by inner proximal stent-free Dacron tube of main graft and outer Teflon felt. Subsequently continuous anastomosis was made to a 3-branched Dacron tube graft.
Results: Open single-branched stent graft placement was technically successful in all patients. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross-clamp time, lower body arrest time and selective cerebral perfusion time were (161 ± 32), (97 ± 20), (21 ± 4) and (31 ± 6) min respectively. All patients were discharged from hospital without any complication. Their computed tomographic scans at 3 months postoperatively showed that all stent grafts were fully opened and not kinked. There was neither space nor blood flow surrounding the single-branched stent graft. The false lumen of descending aorta around stent graft closed with thrombus in all cases.
Conclusion: Open single-branched stent graft placement is a new effective technique for simplified total arch replacement in acute type A aortic dissection. With this technique, the left subclavian artery anastomosis and distal aortic anastomosis at descending aorta can be avoided.