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The Journal of Thoracic and... Oct 2023There is controversy on how to address mild aortic root dilation during concomitant aortic valve replacement: composite aortic valve conduit replacement or separate... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
There is controversy on how to address mild aortic root dilation during concomitant aortic valve replacement: composite aortic valve conduit replacement or separate ascending aorta and aortic valve replacement. We reviewed our experience to address the issue.
METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed 778 adult nonsyndromic patients with aortic root diameter 55 mm or less who received replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic valve from January 1994 to June 2017. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the type of aortic root intervention: composite aortic valve conduit replacement in 406 patients (52%) and separate ascending aorta and aortic valve replacement in 372 patients (48%). Propensity matching was used to mitigate differences in baseline patient characteristics and produced 188 matched pairs.
RESULTS
Sinus of Valsalva diameter was 43 mm (39-47). Operative mortality occurred in 3 patients (2%) in the composite aortic valve conduit replacement group and in 5 patients (3%) in the separate ascending aorta and aortic valve replacement group (P = .470). Median follow-up was 9.6 years (8.4-10.1). Long-term mortality was similar in the 2 groups (P = .083). Repeat operation was performed in 13 patients (7%) in the composite aortic valve conduit replacement group and in 19 patients (10%) in the separate ascending aorta and aortic valve replacement group (P = .365). Sinus of Valsalva diameter decreased 2 mm (-4-0; median follow-up 41 months) in the propensity-matched separate ascending aorta and aortic valve replacement group.
CONCLUSIONS
In patients with mild aortic root dilation, separate ascending aorta and aortic valve replacement results in a similar risk of repeat operation and mortality in comparison with composite aortic valve replacement. Separate ascending aorta and aortic valve replacement is not associated with subsequent aortic root dilation on medium-term echocardiography follow-up.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Aortic Valve; Aorta, Thoracic; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; Aorta; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; Dilatation, Pathologic
PubMed: 35863966
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2022.03.044 -
The Heart Surgery Forum Jan 2024To investigate postoperative vascular changes of patients with coarctation of the aorta (CoA). (Review)
Review Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To investigate postoperative vascular changes of patients with coarctation of the aorta (CoA).
METHODS
Literature review of updated articles was performed in June 2023 through the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Crohrane Library, CNKI and Wanfang database. All the case-control studies regarding the postoperative changes of vascular structure and function in patients with CoA were analyzed.
RESULTS
A total of 596 articles from the above databases were initially identified, with 10 articles being selected for meta-analysis. The analysis showed that weighted mean difference (WMD) of carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) was 0.07 (95% CI = 0.01~0.13, p < 0.01) and WMD of flow mediated dilation (FMD) was -4.36 (95% CI = -7.49~-1.24, p < 0.01), respectively. The postoperative cIMT of CoA patients was higher than that of the control group, but the postoperative FMD was lower than that of the control group.
CONCLUSIONS
The operation on CoA patients ameliorates anatomical deformity in the vascular structures. However, intima-media thickening and endothelial malfunction remain as the key postoperative issues.
Topics: Humans; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; Aortic Coarctation; Dilatation, Pathologic; Case-Control Studies
PubMed: 38286643
DOI: 10.59958/hsf.7001 -
BMC Cardiovascular Disorders Jul 2023Coronary artery ectasia is defined as a local or diffuse dilatation of the coronary artery more than 1.5 times the diameter of the adjacent normal segment. The etiology... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Coronary artery ectasia is defined as a local or diffuse dilatation of the coronary artery more than 1.5 times the diameter of the adjacent normal segment. The etiology of coronary artery ectasia is diverse, and rarely complicated with immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-related disease). A limited number of cases have been reported, with insidious onset, slow progression but poor prognosis.
CASE PRESENTATION
we report a patient with coronary artery ectasia combined with IgG4-related disease. He has been diagnosed with IgG4-related disease 5 years after his first percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Despite routine treatment with steroids, he develops a large coronary aneurysm and eventually died.
CONCLUSIONS
It is suggested that a thorough evaluation should be performed when coronary artery ectasia is diagnosed. The factors such as manifestations of coronary artery thickening, typical imaging features, other aortas involvement, increased serum IgG4 level, etc. should be considered for early diagnosis of key etiologies.
Topics: Humans; Male; Aged; Dilatation, Pathologic; Immunoglobulin G4-Related Disease; Coronary Aneurysm; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; Coronary Vessels; Fatal Outcome; Steroids
PubMed: 37438699
DOI: 10.1186/s12872-023-03369-7 -
International Journal of Cardiology Jul 2024
Topics: Humans; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement; Aortic Valve Stenosis; Aorta; Dilatation, Pathologic; Male; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female
PubMed: 38663807
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2024.132089 -
European Heart Journal. Cardiovascular... May 2024To assess the agreement between left ventricular end-diastolic diameter index (LVEDDi) and volume index (LVEDVi) to define LV dilatation and to investigate the...
AIMS
To assess the agreement between left ventricular end-diastolic diameter index (LVEDDi) and volume index (LVEDVi) to define LV dilatation and to investigate the respective prognostic implications in patients with heart failure (HF).
METHODS AND RESULTS
Patients with HF symptoms and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50% undergoing cardiac magnetic resonance were evaluated retrospectively. LV dilatation was defined as LVEDDi or LVEDVi above the upper normal limit according to published reference values. Patients were followed up for the combined endpoint of cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization during 5 years. A total of 564 patients (median age 64 years; 79% men) were included. LVEDDi had a modest correlation with LVEDVi (r = 0.682, P < 0.001). LV dilatation was noted in 84% of patients using LVEDVi-based definition and in 73% using LVEDDi-based definition, whereas 20% of patients displayed discordant definitions of LV dilatation. During a median follow-up of 2.8 years, patients with both dilated LVEDDi and LVEDVi had the highest cumulative event rate (HR 3.00, 95% CI 1.15-7.81, P = 0.024). Both LVEDDi and LVEDVi were independently associated with the primary outcome (hazard ratio 3.29, 95%, P < 0.001 and 2.8, P = 0.009; respectively).
CONCLUSION
The majority of patients with HF and LVEF < 50% present both increased LVEDDi and LVEDVi whereas 20% show discordant linear and volumetric definitions of LV dilatation. Patients with increased LVEDDi and LVEDVi have the worst clinical outcomes suggesting that the assessment of these two metrics is needed for better risk stratification.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Heart Failure; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Prognosis; Aged; Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine; Stroke Volume; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left; Risk Assessment; Cohort Studies; Dilatation, Pathologic; Severity of Illness Index; Follow-Up Studies
PubMed: 38246859
DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/jeae025 -
Journal of Neurosurgery Apr 2024Flow diverters (FDs) have been used in unruptured intracranial vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms (IVADAs) with seemingly more favorable outcomes compared with...
OBJECTIVE
Flow diverters (FDs) have been used in unruptured intracranial vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms (IVADAs) with seemingly more favorable outcomes compared with stent-assisted coiling (SAC). However, the benefits of FDs over SAC in unruptured IVADAs need further evaluation.
METHODS
This was a propensity score-matched, retrospective cohort study. Consecutive patients with unruptured IVADAs treated with FDs or SAC at the authors' hospital between January 2016 and December 2020 were reviewed. Propensity score matching at 1:1 was based on age, significant stenosis adjacent to aneurysmal dilatation, maximum diameter, and posterior inferior cerebellar artery involvement. Periprocedural cerebrovascular complications and angiographic and clinical outcomes were compared between the two matched groups.
RESULTS
A total of 124 unruptured IVADAs in 123 patients (median age 53 [interquartile range 47-59] years; 101 men) were included. The FD and SAC groups included 65 and 59 IVADAs, respectively. Propensity score matching resulted in 47 matched pairs. The rates of immediate complete occlusion were significantly lower in the matched FD group than in the matched SAC group (6.4% vs 68.1%, p < 0.001). The rates of periprocedural cerebrovascular complications were comparable between the two matched groups (6.4% vs 6.4%, p > 0.99). At last follow-up, the rates of complete occlusion (89.4% vs 80.9%, p = 0.39) and favorable clinical outcomes (100.0% vs 97.9%, p > 0.99) were comparable, whereas the rate of recanalization was significantly lower in the matched FD group than in the matched SAC group (0.0% vs 12.8%, p = 0.03). Although the difference between the rates of in-stent stenosis was not statistically significant (17.0% vs 6.4%, p = 0.18), the difference in the effect measures was considerable.
CONCLUSIONS
In unruptured IVADAs and compared with SAC, FDs provide comparable rates of periprocedural cerebrovascular complications, favorable clinical outcomes, and follow-up complete occlusion, lower rates of immediate complete occlusion and follow-up recanalization, and likely higher rates of in-stent stenosis.
Topics: Male; Humans; Middle Aged; Vertebral Artery; Intracranial Aneurysm; Retrospective Studies; Constriction, Pathologic; Treatment Outcome; Endovascular Procedures; Vertebral Artery Dissection; Stents; Aortic Dissection; Embolization, Therapeutic
PubMed: 37856422
DOI: 10.3171/2023.7.JNS23444 -
Neuro Endocrinology Letters Oct 2023To evaluate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) findings along with other surgical and pathologic features as prognosis predictors in...
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) findings along with other surgical and pathologic features as prognosis predictors in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs).
METHODS
In this study, we retrospectively analyzed a clinical data pool of patients with pathologically confirmed PNETs. CT and MRI findings were evaluated as potential prediction parameters of tumor-nodes-metastases (TNM) stage and grade, using Fisher's exact test. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the risk factors associated with tumor recurrence after surgery. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model were used for recurrence-free survival analysis.
RESULTS
The predictors of higher TNM stages were tumor diameter, tumor boundary, distant metastases, and lymphadenopathy on CT scan. From MRI images, tumor diameter, T2-weighted image, tumor enhancement, and pancreatic duct dilatation showed statistically significant differences among TNM stages. Univariate analysis showed that American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM stage, World Health Organization (WHO) tumor grade, sex, smoking, and drinking were associated with tumor recurrence and disease-free survival (DFS); while tumor and metastasis also affected DFS. Multivariate survival analysis confirmed that AJCC TNM was an independent predictor after adjusting other covariates. Peripancreatic invasion and lymph node metastases as well as blurred boundary detected by CT or MRI may be independent risk factors for TNM stage and clinical outcome of PNETs.
CONCLUSION
TNM stage is a valuable predictor of prognosis in PNETs. Information from CT and MRI imaging can be used to determine the TNM stage, and to estimate the tumor prognosis, guide the follow-up, and avoid ineffective treatments.
Topics: Humans; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Retrospective Studies; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Prognosis; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive; Neoplasm Staging
PubMed: 37874552
DOI: No ID Found -
International Ophthalmology Feb 2024To raise awareness of conditions that can tomographically mimic corneal ectasia and describe the actions required to avoid misdiagnosis.
OBJECTIVE
To raise awareness of conditions that can tomographically mimic corneal ectasia and describe the actions required to avoid misdiagnosis.
METHODS
We report a retrospective case series of seven patients presenting at two tertiary care centers in Israel with a presumed diagnosis of keratoconus or post-refractive ectasia. Upon further examination, the ectasia diagnosis was reconsidered and eventually ruled out.
RESULTS
Included were ten eyes of seven patients. Cases included bilateral diffuse Salzmann's nodular degeneration, ophthalmoplegia with strabismus which precluded proper fixation during the acquisition of tomography images, two cases of incorrect Pentacam parameter settings, a patient with a history of hyperopic laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) treatment in one eye and myopic LASIK in the fellow eye, a case of old post-photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) stromal haze, and a patient with posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy.
CONCLUSIONS
Tomography patterns mimicking corneal ectasia can appear in patients without ectatic pathology. The comprehensive ophthalmologist should be aware of such cases as they may substantially alter the treatment course and prognosis of these patients.
Topics: Humans; Retrospective Studies; Dilatation, Pathologic; Cornea; Photorefractive Keratectomy; Keratoconus; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; Lasers, Excimer; Corneal Topography
PubMed: 38321320
DOI: 10.1007/s10792-024-02992-3 -
International Journal of Pediatric... Dec 2023Internal jugular vein phlebectasia (IJVP) is a rare type of vascular abnormality that causes dilatation of internal jugular vein in the neck. There is presently no... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Internal jugular vein phlebectasia (IJVP) is a rare type of vascular abnormality that causes dilatation of internal jugular vein in the neck. There is presently no consensus on the most effective method of treatment for this condition, that is commonly seen in children. We conducted a systematic review of the literature reported till date to comprehend the key features of IJVP and its most effective therapeutic modalities.
METHODS
Five databases were searched until October 10, 2022 for articles of any design (including case reports) reporting IJVP in pediatric subjects. Individual patient data on demographics, clinical features of this entity and the differential diagnosis, methods of imaging, management, and outcome of illness were recorded. The quality assessment was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute's Critical Appraisal Checklist for studies.
RESULTS
A total of 51 articles including 169 cases were retrieved and included in the analysis. Of the 169 patients, most of them were male children, and in 77% of cases right internal Juglar vein was involved. All patients had some symptoms suggestive of IJVP with most common ones being neck swelling or tenderness, and difficulty in breathing. In 90% of cases, it was observed that the neck swelling typically increases in size with Valsalva maneuver. Once jugular vein phlebectasia was clinically suspected, ultrasonography, CECT, or color Doppler flow imaging were used to confirm the diagnosis. The management of most of the cases was either conservative or surgical, and in surgery mostly ligation was performed. There have not been any cases of serious complications, therefore, according to included studies, a conservative approach is recommended with continuous monitoring. Out of the 51 studies included, most of them had low risk of bias.
CONCLUSION
Internal jugular vein phlebectasia, a rare benign condition, is most commonly found in children, and affects predominantly the right internal jugular vein. Although most patients did well with merely conservative treatment, still management of this vascular anomaly has to be on a case-by-case basis.
Topics: Child; Humans; Male; Female; Jugular Veins; Varicose Veins; Dilatation, Pathologic; Conservative Treatment; Brachiocephalic Veins; Heart Diseases
PubMed: 37871464
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2023.111720 -
The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery Oct 2023Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) is a rare disease in clinic, with an incidence of 0.06% and 5.8%. It is a progressive vascular disease caused by the dilatation,...
Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) is a rare disease in clinic, with an incidence of 0.06% and 5.8%. It is a progressive vascular disease caused by the dilatation, tortuosity, and prolongation of vertebral and basilar arteries caused by a variety of factors. VBD can lead to hemodynamic changes, ischemic stroke, compression symptoms due to vasodilation, neurological dysfunction, hydrocephalus, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and other clinical manifestations. However, because the condition of VBD is complex and changeable, the treatment of VBD is not uniform. With the development of vascular intervention, especially the development of stent technology, it may become an effective method for the treatment of VBD. Two patients with VBD were treated with endovascular stent implantation.
Topics: Humans; Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency; Basilar Artery; Vascular Diseases; Dilatation, Pathologic; Hydrocephalus
PubMed: 37336470
DOI: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000009437