Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of total arch repair with open placement of a novel double-branched stent graft for acute Type A aortic dissection (TAAD).
Methods: We retrospectively analysed the effect of the double-branched stent graft for total aortic arch placement with acute TAAD from December 2013 to February 2015. The effectiveness of the open placement of the double-branched stent graft was estimated by complete thrombus obliteration of the false lumen surrounding it on computed tomography angiography. Follow-up was performed at 6 months postoperatively and annually thereafter.
Results: The double-branched stent graft was successfully placed into the true lumen of the descending aorta, aortic arch, left subclavian artery and left common carotid artery through the delivery system in 21 patients with acute TAAD. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 210.2 ± 32.4 min, the mean aortic cross-clamp time was 94.9 ± 18.0 min, and the selective cerebral perfusion and deep hypothermia cardiopulmonary arrest time was 27.0 ± 10.4 min. The in-hospital mortality rate was 4.8%. The mean follow-up duration was 38.2 ± 12.5 months. No severe complications related to the surgery or residual dissection occurred during the follow-up. All survivors resumed normal activities.
Conclusions: The novel double-branched stent graft is proved to be safe and effective for total arch repair with acute TAAD in this study. It would be a new selective method for total arch repair in patients with acute TAAD.
Clinical registration number: Research on pathogenic risk factors or characteristic features and clinical treatment of aortic dissection in Chinese Population (20120216-4).