AIM: The standard approach for treating acute Type A aortic dissections (TAD) is replacement of the ascending aorta utilizing hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA), which is associated with significant morbidity and frequently leaves a residual aortic arch dissection. We describe a staged surgical and endovascular technique of ascending aorta replacement and simultaneous aorto-innominate artery bypass without HCA, followed 4 weeks later by carotid-carotid bypass and endovascular exclusion of the remaining arch dissection with a thoracic endograft. METHODS: From December 2004 to December 2005, 5 consecutive patients (mean age 58 +/- 6.9 years) with TADs underwent the staged procedure. All patients underwent replacement of the ascending aorta and aorto-innominate bypass. Two patients subsequently underwent the second endovascular stage. In one patient the aortic false lumen completely thrombosed following the first surgical stage and two patients are currently awaiting the endovascular stage. RESULTS: There were no major adverse events (death, cerebrovascular accident or paraplegia) following the first surgical stage. One patient suffered a transient minor stroke. The 2 patients who underwent the second endovascular stage showed no immediate adverse events. Postoperative CT scans have demonstrated that the false channel was excluded from the aortic arch down to the distal end of the endograft in the descending aorta in each case, but became patent further downstream. CONCLUSIONS: This procedure appears safe and feasible. It may allow for a more definitive treatment of TADs than the standard surgical approach. It can be adapted by low volume centers, surgeons untrained in aortic arch repair, and in high risk patients.
AIM: The standard approach for treating acute Type A aortic dissections (TAD) is replacement of the ascending aorta utilizing hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA), which is associated with significant morbidity and frequently leaves a residual aortic arch dissection. We describe a staged surgical and endovascular technique of ascending aorta replacement and simultaneous aorto-innominate artery bypass without HCA, followed 4 weeks later by carotid-carotid bypass and endovascular exclusion of the remaining arch dissection with a thoracic endograft. METHODS: From December 2004 to December 2005, 5 consecutive patients (mean age 58 +/- 6.9 years) with TADs underwent the staged procedure. All patients underwent replacement of the ascending aorta and aorto-innominate bypass. Two patients subsequently underwent the second endovascular stage. In one patient the aortic false lumen completely thrombosed following the first surgical stage and two patients are currently awaiting the endovascular stage. RESULTS: There were no major adverse events (death, cerebrovascular accident or paraplegia) following the first surgical stage. One patient suffered a transient minor stroke. The 2 patients who underwent the second endovascular stage showed no immediate adverse events. Postoperative CT scans have demonstrated that the false channel was excluded from the aortic arch down to the distal end of the endograft in the descending aorta in each case, but became patent further downstream. CONCLUSIONS: This procedure appears safe and feasible. It may allow for a more definitive treatment of TADs than the standard surgical approach. It can be adapted by low volume centers, surgeons untrained in aortic arch repair, and in high risk patients.