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JAMA Aug 2016Acute aortic syndrome (AAS), a potentially fatal pathologic process within the aortic wall, should be suspected in patients presenting with severe thoracic pain and... (Review)
Review
IMPORTANCE
Acute aortic syndrome (AAS), a potentially fatal pathologic process within the aortic wall, should be suspected in patients presenting with severe thoracic pain and hypertension. AAS, including aortic dissection (approximately 90% of cases) and intramural hematoma, may be complicated by poor perfusion, aneurysm, or uncontrollable pain and hypertension. AAS is uncommon (approximately 3.5-6.0 per 100,000 patient-years) but rapid diagnosis is imperative as an emergency surgical procedure is frequently necessary.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically review the current evidence on diagnosis and treatment of AAS.
EVIDENCE REVIEW
Searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials for articles on diagnosis and treatment of AAS from June 1994 to January 29, 2016, were performed. Only clinical trials and prospective observational studies of 10 or more patients were included. Eighty-two studies (2 randomized clinical trials and 80 observational) describing 57,311 patients were reviewed.
FINDINGS
Chest or back pain was the most commonly reported presenting symptom of AAS (61.6%-84.8%). Patients were typically aged 60 to 70 years, male (50%-81%), and had hypertension (45%-100%). Sensitivities of computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis of AAS were 100% and 95% to 100%, respectively. Transesophageal echocardiography was 86% to 100% sensitive, whereas D-dimer was 51.7% to 100% sensitive and 32.8% to 89.2% specific among 6 studies (n = 876). An immediate open surgical procedure is needed for dissection of the ascending aorta, given the high mortality (26%-58%) and proximity to the aortic valve and great vessels (with potential for dissection complications such as tamponade). An RCT comparing endovascular surgical procedure to medical management for uncomplicated AAS in the descending aorta (n = 61) revealed no dissection-related deaths in either group. Endovascular surgical procedure was better than medical treatment (97% vs 43%, P < .001) for the primary end point of "favorable aortic remodeling" (false lumen thrombosis and no aortic dilation or rupture). The remaining evidence on therapies was observational, introducing significant selection bias.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Because of the high mortality rate, AAS should be considered and diagnosed promptly in patients presenting with acute chest or back pain and high blood pressure. Computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and transesophageal echocardiography are reliable tools for diagnosing AAS. Available data suggest that open surgical repair is optimal for treating type A (ascending aorta) AAS, whereas thoracic endovascular aortic repair may be optimal for treating type B (descending aorta) AAS. However, evidence is limited by the paucity of randomized trials.
Topics: Acute Disease; Aged; Aortic Dissection; Aortic Aneurysm; Aortic Diseases; Back Pain; Chest Pain; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; Hematoma; Humans; Hypertension; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Medical Illustration; Middle Aged; Observational Studies as Topic; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Sensitivity and Specificity; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 27533160
DOI: 10.1001/jama.2016.10026 -
International Journal of Molecular... Dec 2017Ascending aortic aneurysms are mostly asymptomatic and present a great risk of aortic dissection or perforation. Consequently, ascending aortic aneurysms are a source of... (Review)
Review
Ascending aortic aneurysms are mostly asymptomatic and present a great risk of aortic dissection or perforation. Consequently, ascending aortic aneurysms are a source of lethality with increased age. Biological aging results in progressive attrition of telomeres, which are the repetitive DNA sequences at the end of chromosomes. These telomeres play an important role in protection of genomic DNA from end-to-end fusions. Telomere maintenance and telomere attrition-associated senescence of endothelial and smooth muscle cells have been indicated to be part of the pathogenesis of degenerative vascular diseases. This systematic review provides an overview of telomeres, telomere-associated proteins and telomerase to the formation and progression of aneurysms of the thoracic ascending aorta. A better understanding of telomere regulation in the vascular pathology might provide new therapeutic approaches. Measurements of telomere length and telomerase activity could be potential prognostic biomarkers for increased risk of death in elderly patients suffering from an aortic aneurysm.
Topics: Aging; Animals; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Biomarkers; DNA; Humans; Mice; Rats; Risk Factors; Telomerase; Telomere; Telomere Shortening
PubMed: 29267201
DOI: 10.3390/ijms19010003 -
Journal of Vascular Surgery Nov 2017Conventional open surgery encompassing cardiopulmonary bypass has been traditionally used for the treatment of ascending aorta diseases. However, more than one in five... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
Conventional open surgery encompassing cardiopulmonary bypass has been traditionally used for the treatment of ascending aorta diseases. However, more than one in five of these patients will be finally considered unfit for open repair. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the role of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for aortic diseases limited to the ascending aorta.
METHODS
The current meta-analysis was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We investigated patients' baseline characteristics along with early (30 days/in-hospital stay) and late (beyond 30 days/in-hospital stay) outcomes after TEVAR limited to the ascending aorta and not involving the arch vessels. Separate analyses for case reports and case series were conducted, and pooled proportions with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of outcome rates were calculated.
RESULTS
Approximately 67% of the patients had a prior cardiac operation. TEVAR was performed mainly for acute or chronic Stanford type A dissection (49%) or pseudoaneurysm (28%). The device was usually delivered through the femoral artery (67%), and rapid ventricular pacing was used in nearly half of the patients. Technical success of the method was 95.5% (95% CI, 87.8-99.8). Among the early outcomes, conversion to open repair was 0.7% (95% CI, 0.1-4.8), whereas mortality was 2.9% (95% CI, 0.02-8.6). We estimated a pooled rate of 1.8% (95% CI, 0.1-7.0) for neurologic events (stroke or transient ischemic attack) and 0.8% (95% CI, 0.1-5.6) for myocardial infarction. Late endoleak was recorded in 16.4% (95% CI, 8.2-26.0), and 4.4% (95% CI, 0.1-12.4) of the population died in the postoperative period. Finally, reoperation was recorded in 8.9% (95% CI, 3.1-16.4) of the study sample.
CONCLUSIONS
TEVAR in the ascending aorta seems to be safe and feasible for selected patients with various aortic diseases, although larger studies are required.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aorta; Aortic Diseases; Blood Vessel Prosthesis; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Endovascular Procedures; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications; Prosthesis Design; Reoperation; Risk Factors; Stents; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 28830707
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2017.07.064 -
European Journal of Vascular and... 2022Blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) is a devastating condition that commonly occurs in healthy and young patients. Endovascular treatment is the first choice; however,... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) is a devastating condition that commonly occurs in healthy and young patients. Endovascular treatment is the first choice; however, it has also been demonstrated to alter cardiovascular haemodynamics. The aim of this systematic review was to describe the cardiovascular modifications after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for BTAI.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, and Web of Science were systematically searched for eligible studies reporting on modifications in aortic stiffness, blood pressure, cardiac mass, and aortic size.
REVIEW METHODS
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement was followed. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the methodological quality of included studies.
RESULTS
A total of 12 studies reporting on 265 patients were included. Severe heterogeneity existed among the included studies with regard to demographics, BTAI grade, endograft specifications, reported outcomes, and the method of evaluation. Regarding aortic stiffness, two studies found a significant increase in pulse wave velocity (PWV) in patients after TEVAR compared with a control group, while one did not find a significant increase in PWV and augmentation index after > 3 years of follow up. Five studies reported an increase in the incidence of post-TEVAR hypertension up to 55% (range 34.8% - 55.0%) vs. baseline. One study found a statistically significant increase in left ventricular mass and left ventricular mass index during follow up. Nine studies report data regarding aortic dilatation or remodelling after TEVAR. One found a 2.4 fold faster growth rate in ascending aortic diameter vs. controls, while other studies described significant changes in aortic size at different locations along the aorta and endograft after TEVAR.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review highlights adverse cardiac and aortic modifications after TEVAR for BTAI. The results stress the need for lifelong surveillance in these patients and the necessity of developing a more compliant endograft to prevent cardiovascular complications in the long term.
Topics: Humans; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Endovascular Procedures; Pulse Wave Analysis; Vascular System Injuries; Retrospective Studies; Thoracic Injuries; Wounds, Nonpenetrating; Aorta, Thoracic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35537638
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2022.05.004 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Apr 2023Aortic aneurysms occur when the aorta, the body's largest artery, grows in size, and can occur in the thoracic or abdominal aorta. The approaches to repair aortic... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Aortic aneurysms occur when the aorta, the body's largest artery, grows in size, and can occur in the thoracic or abdominal aorta. The approaches to repair aortic aneurysms include directly exposing the aorta and replacing the diseased segment via open repair, or endovascular repair. Endovascular repair uses fluoroscopic-guidance to access the aorta and deliver a device to exclude the aneurysmal aortic segment without requiring a large surgical incision. Endovascular repair can be performed under a general anesthetic, during which the unconscious patient is paralyzed and reliant on an anesthetic machine to maintain the airway and provide oxygen to the lungs, or a loco-regional anesethetic, for which medications are administered to provide the person with sufficient sedation and pain control without requiring a general anesthetic. While people undergoing general anesthesia are more likely to remain still during surgery and have a well-controlled airway in the event of unanticipated complications, loco-regional anesthesia is associated with fewer postoperative complications in some studies. It remains unclear which anesthetic technique is associated with better outcomes following the endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the benefits and harms of general anesthesia compared to loco-regional anesthesia for endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.
SEARCH METHODS
We used standard, extensive Cochrane search methods. The latest search was 11 March 2022.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We searched for all randomized controlled trials that assessed the effects of general anesthesia compared to loco-regional anesthesia for endovascular aortic aneurysm repairs.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes were: all-cause mortality, length of hospital stay, length of intensive care unit stay. Our secondary outcomes were: incidence of endoleaks, requirement for re-intervention, incidence of myocardial infarction, quality of life, incidence of respiratory complications, incidence of pulmonary embolism, incidence of deep vein thrombosis, and length of procedure. We planned to use GRADE methodology to assess the certainty of evidence for each outcome.
MAIN RESULTS
We found no studies, published or ongoing, that met our inclusion criteria.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
We did not identify any randomized controlled trials that compared general versus loco-regional anesthesia for endovascular aortic aneurysm repair. There is currently insufficient high-quality evidence to determine the benefits or harms of either anesthetic approach during endovascular aortic aneurysm repair. Well-designed prospective randomized trials with relevant clinical outcomes are needed to adequately address this.
Topics: Humans; Anesthesia, Conduction; Anesthesia, General; Anesthetics, General; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal; Endovascular Procedures; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life
PubMed: 37052421
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD013182.pub2 -
Journal of Vascular Surgery Jan 2020The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes between open repair and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in traumatic ruptured thoracic aorta. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes between open repair and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in traumatic ruptured thoracic aorta.
METHODS
A comprehensive search was undertaken of the four major databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Ovid) to identify all published data comparing open vs endovascular repair. Databases were evaluated to July 2018. Odds ratios (ORs), weighted mean differences, or standardized mean differences and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were analyzed. The primary outcomes were stroke, paraplegia, and 30-day mortality rates; secondary outcomes were requirement for reintervention and 1-year and five-year mortality rates.
RESULTS
A total of 1968 patients were analyzed in 21 articles. TEVAR was performed in 29% (n = 578) and open repair in 71% (n = 1390). TEVAR and open repair did not differ in the mean age of patients (42.1 ± 14 years vs 44.1 ± 14 years; P = .48). There was no difference in duration of intensive care and total hospital stay between TEVAR and open repair groups (12.7 ± 11.1 days vs 12.6 ± 8 days [P = .35] and 27.5 ± 14.6 days vs 25.9 ± 11 days [P = .80], respectively). Similarly, no statistically significant difference in postoperative paraplegia or stroke rate was noted between TEVAR and open repair (1.4% vs 2.3% [OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 0.59-2.70; P = .54] and 1% vs 0.5% [OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.18-2.18; P = .46]). Lower 30-day and 1-year mortality was noted in TEVAR (7.9% vs 20% [OR, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.92-4.49; P < .00001] and 8.7% vs 17% [OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 0.99-4.52; P = .05]). There was no difference in 5-year mortality (23% vs 17%; OR, 0.07; 95% CI, -0.07 to 0.20; P = .33). However, there was a higher rate of reintervention at 1 year in the endovascular group (0% vs 6%; OR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.03-0.96; P = .04).
CONCLUSIONS
TEVAR carries lower in-hospital mortality and provides satisfactory perioperative outcomes compared with open repair in traumatic ruptured thoracic aorta. It also provides a favorable 1-year survival at the expense of higher reintervention rates.
Topics: Adult; Aorta, Thoracic; Aortic Rupture; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Endovascular Procedures; Female; Hospital Mortality; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications; Reoperation; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Vascular System Injuries
PubMed: 31327611
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2019.05.011 -
European Journal of Vascular and... Nov 2009An overview of the knowledge of thoracic (TAA), and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) dynamics, before and after endovascular repair, is given. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
An overview of the knowledge of thoracic (TAA), and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) dynamics, before and after endovascular repair, is given.
METHODS
Medline, EMBASE and the Cochrane database were searched for relevant articles. After inclusion and exclusion, 25 relevant articles reporting on aneurysm dynamics remained, allowing for comparison. Results provided in the included studies were assumed (statistically) significant if they were larger than the repeatability of the used method.
RESULTS
The sample size of dynamic studies is limited and translational studies are missing. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and computed tomographic angiography (CTA) were shown to have lower inter-observer variabilities than ultrasonography (US). The distension of several relevant stent-graft-landing zones during the cardiac cycle in both the abdominal and thoracic aorta are significant (mean diameter change of the AAA neck in the included studies ranged from 0.9 mm to 2.4 mm; mean area change of the thoracic aorta ranged from 4.8% to 12.7% at various levels). This distension remained preserved after stent-graft placement. Preoperatively, the renal arteries displace per heartbeat. Significant movement of the aorta in the anteroposterior (AP) and lateral direction, during the cardiac cycle, was observed.
CONCLUSION
The aorta exhibits a wide variety of morphologic changes throughout the cardiac cycle. CTA and MRA are reliable modalities to investigate aortic shape changes during the cardiac cycle. Significant changes per heartbeat are reported in the AAA neck and thoracic aorta. The renal artery displaces per heartbeat. The clinical relevance of dynamic imaging has not been proven yet, but dynamic changes of the aorta have to be taken into account in stent-graft selection and future stent-graft design.
Topics: Aorta, Abdominal; Aorta, Thoracic; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Aortography; Blood Vessel Prosthesis; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Hemodynamics; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Angiography; Predictive Value of Tests; Prosthesis Design; Stents; Time Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography, Interventional
PubMed: 19648032
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2009.06.018 -
European Journal of Trauma and... Aug 2018Circulatory collapse is a leading cause of mortality among traumatic major exsanguination and in ruptured aortic aneurysm patients. Approximately 40% of patients die... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Circulatory collapse is a leading cause of mortality among traumatic major exsanguination and in ruptured aortic aneurysm patients. Approximately 40% of patients die before hemorrhage control is achieved. Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is an adjunct designed to sustain the circulation until definitive surgical or endovascular repair. A systematic review was conducted for the current clinical use of REBOA in patients with hemodynamic instability and to discuss its potential role in improving prehospital and in-hospital outcome.
METHODS
Systematic review and meta-analysis (1900-2017) using MEDLINE, Cochrane, EMBASE, Web of Science and Central and Emcare using the keywords "aortic balloon occlusion", "aortic balloon tamponade", "REBOA", and "Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion" in combination with hemorrhage control, hemorrhage, resuscitation, shock, ruptured abdominal or thoracic aorta, endovascular repair, and open repair. Original published studies on human subjects were considered.
RESULTS
A total of 490 studies were identified; 89 met criteria for inclusion. Of the 1436 patients, overall reported mortality was 49.2% (613/1246) with significant differences (p < 0.001) between clinical indications. Hemodynamic shock was evident in 79.3%, values between clinical indications showed significant difference (p < 0.001). REBOA was favored as treatment in trauma patients in terms of mortality. Pooled analysis demonstrated an increase in mean systolic pressure by almost 50 mmHg following REBOA use.
CONCLUSION
REBOA has been used in trauma patients and ruptured aortic aneurysm patients with improvement of hemodynamic parameters and outcomes for several decades. Formal, prospective study is warranted to clarify the role of this adjunct in all hemodynamic unstable patients.
Topics: Aorta; Balloon Occlusion; Exsanguination; Hemodynamics; Humans; Resuscitation; Shock, Hemorrhagic
PubMed: 29785654
DOI: 10.1007/s00068-018-0959-y -
Frontiers in Bioengineering and... 2023Brucellosis, the most common bacterial zoonosis, poses a serious threat to public health in endemic regions. Cardiovascular complications of brucellosis, mostly...
Brucellosis, the most common bacterial zoonosis, poses a serious threat to public health in endemic regions. Cardiovascular complications of brucellosis, mostly pericarditis or endocarditis, are the leading cause of brucellosis-related death. Complications involving the aorta and iliac arteries are extremely rare but can be life-threatening. Our objective was to identify and review all reported cases of aortic and iliac involvement in brucellosis to provide a deep, up-to-date understanding of the clinical characteristics and management of the disease. Online searches in PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and the Chinese Wanfang database were conducted to collect articles reporting cases of brucellosis with aortic and iliac artery involvement. All data in terms of patient demographics, diagnostic methods, clinical manifestations, and treatment regimens and outcomes were extracted and analyzed in this systematic review. A total of 79 articles were identified, reporting a total of 130 cases of brucellosis with aortic and iliac artery involvement. Of the 130 cases, 110 (84.5%) were male individuals and 100 (76.9%) were over 50 years old. The patients had an overall mortality rate of 12.3%. The abdominal aorta was most commonly involved, followed by the ascending aorta, iliac artery, and descending thoracic aorta. Arteriosclerosis, hypertension, and smoking were the most common comorbidities. There were 71 patients (54.6%) who presented with systemic symptoms of infection at the time of admission. Endovascular therapy was performed in 56 patients (43.1%), with an overall mortality rate of 3.6%. Open surgery was performed in 52 patients (40.0%), with an overall mortality rate of 15.4%. Aortic and iliac involvement in brucellosis is extremely rare but can be life-threatening. Its occurrence appears to be associated with the male gender, an older age, arteriosclerosis, and smoking. Although the number of reported cases in developing countries has increased significantly in recent years, its incidence in these countries may still be underestimated. Early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention are critical in improving patient outcomes. Endovascular therapy has become a preferred surgical treatment in recent years, and yet, its long-term complications remain to be assessed.
PubMed: 38098968
DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1326246 -
Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic... Mar 2022This study aims to systematically review published literature on male-female differences in presentation, management and outcomes in patients diagnosed with acute... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
This study aims to systematically review published literature on male-female differences in presentation, management and outcomes in patients diagnosed with acute thoracic aortic dissection (AD).
METHODS
A systematic literature search was conducted for studies published between 1 January 1999 and 19 October 2020 investigating mortality and morbidity in adult patients diagnosed with AD. Patient and treatment characteristics were compared with odds ratios (ORs) and standardized mean differences and a meta-analysis using a random-effects model was performed for early mortality. Overall survival and reoperation were visualized by pooled Kaplan-Meier curves.
RESULTS
Nine studies investigating type A dissections (AD-A), 1 investigating type B dissections (AD-B) and 3 investigating both AD-A and AD-B were included encompassing 18 659 patients. Males were younger in both AD-A (P < 0.001) and AD-B (P < 0.001), and in AD-A patients males had more distally extended dissections [OR 0.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.46-0.70; P < 0.001]. Longer operation times were observed for males in AD-A (standardized mean difference 0.29, 95% CI 0.17-0.41; P < 0.001) while male patients were less often treated conservatively in AD-B (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.58-0.72; P < 0.001). The pooled early mortality risk ratio for males versus females was 0.94 (95% CI 0.84-1.06, P = 0.308) in AD-A and 0.92 (95% CI 0.83-1.03, P = 0.143) in AD-B. Pooled overall mortality in AD-A showed no male-female difference, whereas male patients had more reinterventions during follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review shows male-female differences in AD patient and treatment characteristics, comparable early and overall mortality and inconsistent outcome reporting. As published literature is scarce and heterogeneous, large prospective studies with standardized reporting of male-female characteristics and outcomes are clearly warranted. Improved knowledge of male-female differences in AD will help shape optimal individualized care for both males and females.
CLINICAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
PROSPERO, ID number: CRD42020155926.
Topics: Adult; Aortic Dissection; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Endovascular Procedures; Female; Humans; Male; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34664071
DOI: 10.1093/icvts/ivab270