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Int J Surg Case Rep 2020 May 21;71:250-256. Epub 2020 May 21.

Department of Thoracic Surgery, King Fahad Central Hospital, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: Post-traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the hepatic artery is a rare complication of abdominal injury. Prompt intervention is essential to avoid a life-threatening hemorrhage. We report two complicated cases of intrahepatic pseudoaneurysm (IHPA). Read More

J Vasc Surg Cases Innov Tech 2020 Jun 28;6(2):254-258. Epub 2020 May 28.

Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill.

Endovascular treatment of aortic dissection may be complicated by challenges to navigating the true lumen. In this report, we describe treatment of a type B dissection after open type A repair with aneurysmal degeneration, a short-segment occluded true lumen, and a distal re-entry tear near the celiac artery origin. Endovascular septal fenestration and subsequent thoracic endovascular aortic repair were used to bypass the short-segment midthoracic aortic occlusion, successfully excluding the thoracic aortic aneurysm. Read More

Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2020 Jun 2:218492320930848. Epub 2020 Jun 2.

Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital, Blackburn, UK.

The correlation between intracranial and aortic aneurysms remains elusive. Data in the literature are scattered, and outcome reporting is swamped with heterogeneity and single-center bias. This calamity is adding to confusion on decision-making and delays the instigation of appropriate clinical applications. Read More

Korean J Intern Med 2020 Jun 4. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Department of Cardiology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea.

Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2020 Jun;13(6):e010084

Division of Cardiology (K.B.-J., N.B.M., D.R., S.N., I.A.E., D.K., R.W.S., S.K.P.), Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

Front Cardiovasc Med 2020 12;7:75. Epub 2020 May 12.

Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is a focal enlargement of the thoracic aorta, but the etiology of this disease is not fully understood. Previous work suggests that various genetic syndromes, congenital defects such as bicuspid aortic valve, hypertension, and age are associated with TAA formation. Though occurrence of TAAs is rare, they can be life-threatening when dissection or rupture occurs. Read More

Front Physiol 2020 12;11:454. Epub 2020 May 12.

Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.

Arterial aneurysms are pathological dilations of blood vessels, which can be of clinical concern due to thrombosis, dissection, or rupture. Aneurysms can form throughout the arterial system, including intracranial, thoracic, abdominal, visceral, peripheral, or coronary arteries. Currently, aneurysm diameter and expansion rates are the most commonly used metrics to assess rupture risk. Read More

Indian J Radiol Imaging 2020 Jan-Mar;30(1):81-83. Epub 2020 Mar 30.

Department of Radiology, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, Pavia, Italy.

Interrupted aortic arch diagnosed in adult age is a rare entity, with only a few cases published in the literature. Most of them are classified as type A interrupted aortic arch and differential diagnosis is associated with severe chronic coarctation. We present a case of a 52-year-old woman accessed to the emergency department for chest and right upper limb pain that increased in the last days. Read More

Kyobu Geka 2020 Jun;73(6):453-456

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fukuyama Cardiovascular Hospital, Fukuyama, Japan.

A 78-year-old female patient was introduced to our hospital with chief complaint of massive hemoptysis. She had a history of total arch replacement using a short elephant trunk for acute Stanford type A aortic dissection 3 years before. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed kinking of the short elephant trunk and distal aortic arch aneurysm which caused aortobronchial fistula. Read More

Kyobu Geka 2020 Jun;73(6):449-452

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Tokushima Prefectural Central Hospital, Tokushima, Japan.

A 69-year-old man developed sudden-onset chest and back pain and was brought to our hospital. Enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed acute Stanford type B aortic dissection extending from the distal aortic arch to a 72 mm abdominal aortic aneurysm( AAA). The acute phase was managed by antihypertensive therapy, and the patient was followed up. Read More

J Vasc Surg 2020 May 27. Epub 2020 May 27.

Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Arnaud de Villeneuve Hospital, Montpellier, France.

Objective: Three out of four patients with infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) are now treated with endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). The incidence of secondary procedures and surgical conversions is increasing for a population theoretically unfit for open surgery. The indications and outcomes of late open surgical conversions (LOC) after EVAR in a high volume tertiary vascular unit are reported. Read More

Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2020 May 29. Epub 2020 May 29.

Department of Forensic Medicine, University Hospital Ostrava, CZ-708 52, Ostrava, Czech Republic.

Inflammatory aortic diseases are broadly classified into three categories according to the degree of inflammation: atherosclerosis, atherosclerosis with excessive inflammation, and aortitis/periaortitis. This paper presents a case of a 39-year old man with aneurysmal dilatation of thoracic aorta and aortic valve insufficiency. The aortic wall showed thickening and wrinkled "tree bark" appearance as well as apparent scarring of the intima. Read More

Radiol Clin North Am 2020 Jul 12;58(4):721-731. Epub 2020 May 12.

University of Michigan, Frankel Cardiovascular Center, Room 5588, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5868, USA. Electronic address:

High-quality aortic imaging plays a central role in the management of patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm. Computed tomography angiography and magnetic resonance angiography are the most commonly used techniques for thoracic aortic aneurysm diagnosis and imaging surveillance, with each having unique strengths and limitations that should be weighed when deciding patient-specific applications. To ensure optimal patient care, imagers must be familiar with potential sources of artifact and measurement error, and dedicate effort to ensure high-quality and reproducible aortic measurements are generated. Read More

Am J Med Genet A 2020 May 28. Epub 2020 May 28.

Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.

Loeys-Dietz syndrome is a heritable disorder of the connective tissue leading to multisystem involvement including craniofacial features, skeletal abnormalities, cutaneous findings and early-onset and aggressive disease of the aorta and its branches. There are multiple types of Loeys-Dietz syndrome related to pathogenic variants in TGFBR1, TGFBR2, SMAD3, TGFB2, and TGFB3. Individuals with Loeys-Dietz syndrome may be misdiagnosed as having Marfan syndrome due to shared phenotypic features and aortic root dilation. Read More

Thorac Cardiovasc Surg Rep 2020 Jan 22;9(1):e21-e23. Epub 2020 May 22.

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Robert Bosch Hospital, Stuttgart, Germany.

 Patients presenting with several cardiothoracic conditions that need to be addressed surgically require individual decision making as evidence remains inconclusive and combined surgical procedures carry an elevated perioperative risk.  We present the case and management of a 73-year-old male with myocardial infarction due to three-vessel disease and left main stem stenosis, calcified aortic aneurysm, and right-sided non-small cell lung carcinoma.  High-risk combined surgery should be indicated with scrutiny after individual consideration by an experienced heart team. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2020 Jun 27;9(11):e014981. Epub 2020 May 27.

Institute for Clinical and Evaluative Sciences Queen's University Kingston Ontario, Canada.

Background Thoracic aortic dissections (TADs) and thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) are resource intensive. We sought to determine economic burden and healthcare resource use to guide health policy. Methods and Results Using universal healthcare coverage data for Ontario, Canada, from 2003 to 2016, a cost-of-illness analysis was performed. Read More

Vasc Endovascular Surg 2020 May 26:1538574420927552. Epub 2020 May 26.

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.

A 70-year-old man was referred to our hospital for an abnormal chest shadow. Enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed 2-humped bronchial artery aneurysms (BAAs) associated with racemose hemangioma. The combined therapy of transcatheter bronchial artery embolization and thoracic endovascular aortic repair was performed. Read More

J Evid Based Med 2020 May 25. Epub 2020 May 25.

Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi.

Objective: The objective of this meta-analysis of observational studies was to evaluate the association between simple renal cysts (SRC) and presence of aortic pathology such as aortic aneurysms and dissection.

Methods: We conducted searches in Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from January 1960 to August 2019 to identify observational studies that examined the association between SRCs and any aortic diseases, including aortic aneurysms and dissection. Two reviewers independently extracted the data and assessed the risk of bias. Read More

Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 2020 May 24. Epub 2020 May 24.

University for Health Sciences, University of Arizona, Health Sciences Innovation Building, 9th Floor SVP Suite, 1670 E. Drachman Street, PO Box 210216, Tucson, AZ, 85721-0216, USA.

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) was proved to be effective in thoracic descending aortic aneurysm (TDAA) repair in 1994 and approved by the FDA in 2005. Since then, TEVAR has become the first-line, recommended treatment for intact or ruptured DTAA or as a bridge to definitive open surgical repair in connective tissue disease. TEVAR has decreased perioperative morbidity and mortality compared to open surgery due to the lack of thoracotomy, aortic cross-clamping and left heart bypass. Read More

Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2020 May 25:218492320928731. Epub 2020 May 25.

Biomechanics Laboratory, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery, and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.

Bicuspid aortic valve is the most common congenital cardiovascular defect, often associated with proximal aortic dilatation, and the ideal management strategy is debated. The inconsistency in previous and present guideline recommendations emphasizes the insufficiency of the maximal diameter as the sole criterion for prophylactic repair. Our ability to guide clinical decisions may improve through an understanding of the mechanical properties of ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms in bicuspid compared to tricuspid aortic valve patients and non-aneurysmal aortas, because dissection and rupture are aortic wall mechanical failures. Read More

Int J Surg Case Rep 2020 May 21;71:112-115. Epub 2020 May 21.

Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, 217 Hong Bang Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City 72714, Viet Nam; Cardiovascular Center of Cho Ray Hospital, 201B Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City 72714, Viet Nam. Electronic address:

Background: Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is a rare condition that is characterized by the excessive diffuse dilatation of the coronary arteries by 1.5 times in diameter compared to adjacent coronary arteries. The giant CAE is even rarer and life-threatening. Read More

J Vasc Surg 2020 May 19. Epub 2020 May 19.

Division of Vascular Surgery, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy. Electronic address:

Objective: To evaluate the performance of percutaneous femoral access with large-bore sheaths (>21F outer diameter, OD) mainly for thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic endovascular treatment, and to stratify the outcomes based on the introducer size.

Methods: Between December 2015 and December 2018, all consecutive patients who received endovascular repair through a percutaneous approach with a suture-mediated vascular closure device and the pre-close technique were included in a retrospective single-center study called PEVAR-PRO (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03484013). Read More

Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2020 May 21:218492320929212. Epub 2020 May 21.

Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA.

Although significant advancements in cerebral protection strategies in aortic surgery have been achieved in recent years, controversy remains on what constitutes the optimal strategy. Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest alone is a viable approach in many instances, but the need for a prolonged duration of circulatory arrest and increasing case complexity have led to the utilization of adjunctive cerebral perfusion strategies. In this review, we discuss the efficacy of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and its limitations, the role of retrograde cerebral perfusion and unilateral and bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion, and the trend towards goal-directed perfusion strategies, all emphasizing the pressing need for randomized clinical trials to better define the optimal strategy. Read More

J Endovasc Ther 2020 May 21:1526602820923044. Epub 2020 May 21.

Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

To evaluate the perioperative stroke incidence following thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with differing left subclavian artery (LSA) coverage and revascularization approaches in a real-world setting of a nationwide clinical registry. The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program registry was interrogated from 2005 to 2017 to identify all nonemergent TEVAR and/or open LSA revascularization procedures. In this time frame, 2346 TEVAR cases met the selection criteria for analysis. Read More

Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2020 May 21:218492320929211. Epub 2020 May 21.

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart Centre Freiburg University, Freiburg, Germany.

The endovascular treatment of pathologies of the ascending aorta has not been incorporated into routine clinical practice. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the endovascular treatment of pathologies of the ascending aorta, particularly type A aortic dissection. A thorough analysis and discussion of anatomical, physiological, clinical and technical challenges, and obstacles is performed. Read More

Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2020 May 21:218492320928744. Epub 2020 May 21.

Institute of Cardiac and Aortic Disorders, SRM Institutes for Medical Science (SIMS Hospital), Chennai, India.

Acute type A aortic dissection remains one of the most challenging condition in cardiothoracic surgery, with a high mortality rate. Various improvements and innovations have happened over the years to better the outcome of this lethal condition. The frozen elephant trunk prosthesis has been developed to negate the long-term complications of acute type A aortic dissection, but at the cost of increased morbidity compared to hemiarch replacement. Read More

Surg Technol Int 2020 May;36:95-97

Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Deutsches Herzzentrum, Berlin, Germany.

Background: Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) is a surgical emergency with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The treatment of ATAAD is highly individualized and mainly depends on anatomical and technical factors. Great efforts to reduce the time to diagnosis and technological innovations have led to improved surgical results with a lower rate of dissection-related reoperations during long-term follow up. Read More

J Endovasc Ther 2020 May 20:1526602820925443. Epub 2020 May 20.

German Aortic Center Hamburg, Department of Vascular Medicine, University Heart & Vascular Center, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.

Purpose: To describe the implantation steps and tips and tricks for the Inner Branch Arch Endograft designed to treat aortic arch aneurysm and chronic type A aortic dissection.

Technique: Anatomical suitability criteria should be met in order to use this device. The proximal segment of the graft lands in the ascending aorta distally to the sinotubular junction and the distal segment lands in the descending aorta. Read More

J Endovasc Ther 2020 May 20:1526602820925445. Epub 2020 May 20.

German Aortic Center Hamburg, Department of Vascular Medicine, University Heart & Vascular Center, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.

Purpose: To report a case of chronic intermittent spinal cord ischemia (SCI) after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and its successful treatment using hypogastric artery stenting.

Case Report: A 79-year-old patient presented in May 2013 with a thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) and a contained rupture. He urgently underwent TEVAR that covered 274 mm of descending thoracic aorta without immediate postoperative signs of acute SCI. Read More

J Radiol Prot 2020 May 19. Epub 2020 May 19.

Academic Department of Vascular Surgery, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, BHF Centre of Excellence at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, King's College London, London, London, UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND.

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a well-established minimally invasive technique that relies on x-ray guidance to introduce a stent through the femoral artery and manipulate it into place. The aim of this study was to estimate patient organ doses from EVAR procedures using anatomically realistic computational phantoms and detailed exposure information from radiation dose structured reports (RDSR). Methods: Lookup tables of conversion factors relating kerma area product (PKA) to organ doses for 49 different beam angles were produced using Monte Carlo simulations (MCNPX2. Read More

Orv Hetil 2020 05;161(21):861-866

Általános Orvostudományi Kar, Szent-Györgyi Albert Klinikai Központ, II. Belgyógyászati Klinika, Szívsebészeti Osztály,Szegedi Tudományegyetem Szeged, Semmelweis u. 8., 6720.

The surgical management of congenital heart defects is changing continuously due to technical development. Aortic coarctation is one of the most frequent congenital heart diseases often with serious symptoms. The authors review the different surgical techniques (end-to-end anastomosis, pathplasty, interposition) and present the up-to-date procedures from infancy to adulthood. Read More

Vascular 2020 May 19:1708538120925597. Epub 2020 May 19.

Section of Vascular Surgery, Minneapolis Heart Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis, MN, USA.

Objectives: Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome represent two connective tissue vascular diseases requiring unique consideration in their vascular surgical care. A comprehensive national review encompassing all hospitalizations for the Marfan Syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome patient population is lacking.

Methods: The National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample from 2010 to 2014 was reviewed for all inpatient vascular surgery procedures including those with a diagnosis of Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Read More

Acta Medica (Hradec Kralove) 2020 ;63(1):43-48

Clinic of Vascular Surgery, East Slovak Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Košice, Slovak Republic.

The paper presents the results of treating 14 patients, namely eight patients with visceral artery aneurysms and six patients with visceral artery pseudoaneurysms. In 64.3% of the patients, the initial diagnosis was made based on the ultrasound examination. Read More

Adv Clin Exp Med 2020 May;29(5):565-572

Department and Clinic of Cardiac Surgery, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland.

Background: Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) formation is accompanied by degradation of extracellular matrix components (EMC). Numerous matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in the process, but the involvement of MMP-3 remains unclear. Additionally, the changes in proteoglycan (PG) structure can alter the signal transduction pathways in TAA, though the enzymatic systems which originate them are not fully understood. Read More

Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2020 May 18. Epub 2020 May 18.

Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shonan Kamakura General Hospital, Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan.

We report a surgical case of bronchial artery aneurysm (BAA) that directly connected to a pulmonary artery and a pulmonary vein through an abnormal vessel. It was complicated by racemose hemangioma. This is a rare vascular malformation. Read More

Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 2020 May 15. Epub 2020 May 15.

Department of Radiology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-Shimbashi, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 105-8461, Japan.

Purpose: We evaluated possible association of decreased psoas muscle area (PMA) after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) by measuring the area of muscle in computed tomographic (CT) images.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed CT images of 201 consecutive patients who underwent EVAR at our institution between April 1, 2015, and November 9, 2018, and compared them with images of 75 consecutive patients with no history of EVAR, who served as controls and underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) during the same period. We investigated EVAR and possible associated factors that might be potential predictors of decrease in PMA. Read More

J Vasc Interv Radiol 2020 Jun 12;31(6):969-976. Epub 2020 May 12.

Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, No. 5, Fu-Hsing Street, Kuei-Shan Hsiang, Taoyuan Hsien, 333, Taoyuan, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan. Electronic address:

Purpose: To demonstrate post-treatment computed tomography (CT) findings and outcomes of endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) for mycotic aortic aneurysm (MAA).

Materials And Methods: Clinical data of patients with MAA who underwent EVAR from June 2010 to December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 22 patients were included (19 men and 3 women). Read More

Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2020 May 14:ATVBAHA120313033. Epub 2020 May 14.

From the Department of Cardiac Surgery, North Campus Research Complex, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (J.G., D.Z., L.J., P.Q., Y.E.C., B.Y.).

Objective: SMAD3 pathogenic variants are associated with the development of thoracic aortic aneurysms. We sought to determine the role of SMAD3 in lineage-specific vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) differentiation and function. Approach and Results: c. Read More

Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2020 May 10. Epub 2020 May 10.

Vascular Surgery - Department of Medicine and Surgery, ASST Settelaghi University Teaching Hospital, University of Insubria School of Medicine, Varese, Italy.

Objective: The Global Registry for Endovascular Aortic Treatment (GREAT), a retrospective sponsored registry, was queried to determine the incidence and identify potential predictors of access related complications after TEVAR.

Methods: This is a multicentre, observational cohort study. For the current study, all patients were treated only with the Conformable GORE® TAG® Thoracic Endoprosthesis and GORE® TAG® Thoracic Endoprosthesis devices for any kind of thoracic aortic disease. Read More

Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis 2020 May 7. Epub 2020 May 7.

Department of Medicine, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA.

: We report severe excessive bleeding at initiation of vascular surgery in a 74-year-old woman with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm undergoing thoracic endovascular aortic repair. After extensive workup, bleeding cause was determined to be an aspirin-like effect from supplemental cranberry intake. After asking the patient to stop cranberry consumption, the aspirin-like effect ceased, and the patient underwent successful thoracic endovascular aortic repair. Read More

Kyobu Geka 2020 May;73(5):375-379

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Japan.

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has become a major procedure for thoracic aortic aneurysm and its indication is expanding. On the other hand, TEVAR specific complication is rather critical and its treatment is of increasing interest. Especially, open repair after TEVAR is sometimes demanding and case based strategy is mandatory. Read More

Kyobu Geka 2020 May;73(5):344-347

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kobe Rosai Hospital, Kobe, Japan.

We present a 76-year-old male patient on chronic dialysis for over 10 years with contained rupture of a mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysm, which was successfully treated by thoracic endovascular aortic repair(TEVAR) and computed tomography(CT) guided percutaneous drainage. Endovascular repair of mycotic aortic aneurysm is nowadays feasible and can be a suitable alternative especially in frail patients. Read More

J Thorac Dis 2020 Apr;12(4):1437-1448

State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100037, China.

Background: Revascularization of the supra-aortic major branches in thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is challenging owing to the complex anatomic configuration of aortic arch pathologies. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of three major techniques-chimney, fenestrated, and in-situ fenestration-for patients with aortic arch pathologies.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed involving 234 patients with aortic arch lesions, who underwent TEVAR with adaptations in technique (chimney, fenestrated, or fenestration) between January 2016 and December 2017. Read More

Nanoscale Res Lett 2020 May 11;15(1):105. Epub 2020 May 11.

Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117, Shandong, China.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) refers to the enlargement of the lower artery of the abdominal aorta, and identification of an early detection tool is urgently needed for diagnosis. In the current study, an interdigitated electrode (IDE) sensing surface was used to identify miRNA-335-5p, which reflects the formation of AAAs. The uniformity of the silica material was observed by 3D profilometry, and the chemically modified highly conductive surface improved the detection via the I-V mode. Read More

Kyobu Geka 2020 Mar;73(3):187-191

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fukuoka Kinen Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan.

We report a successful case of infected thoracic aortic aneurysm treated by endovascular repair. An 82-year-old woman, presenting with intermittent back pain and low-grade fever, was transferred with the diagnosis of infected thoracic aortic aneurysm. High inflammatory reaction and a thickened aortic wall around the aneurysm confirmed the diagnosis. Read More

Circulation 2020 May 11;141(19):1570-1587. Epub 2020 May 11.

University of Edinburgh Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, United Kingdom (A.J.F., M.B.J.S., D.E.N., N.L.W.).

Inherited thoracic aortopathies denote a group of congenital conditions that predispose to disease of the thoracic aorta. Aortic wall weakness and abnormal aortic hemodynamic profiles predispose these patients to dilatation of the thoracic aorta, which is generally silent but can precipitate aortic dissection or rupture with devastating and often fatal consequences. Current strategies to assess the future risk of aortic dissection or rupture are based primarily on monitoring aortic diameter. Read More

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 2020 Apr 20;164. Epub 2020 Apr 20.

Bravis ziekenhuis, afd. Urologie, Bergen op Zoom/Roosendaal.

A 75-year-old male with a history of CABG and aortic aneurysm was seen in the emergency department. When he lay down, he suddenly became unresponsive. ECG, thoracic X-ray and blood tests ruled out common causes of syncope. Read More

J Mol Cell Cardiol 2020 May 5;144:15-23. Epub 2020 May 5.

National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore. Electronic address:

Aims: Recently, we demonstrated that the hearts of neonatal pigs (2-day old) have regenerative capacity, likely driven by cardiac myocyte division, but this potential is lost immediately after postnatal day 3. However, it is unknown if corticosteroid, a broad anti-inflammatory agent, will abrogate the regenerative capacity in the hearts of neonatal pigs. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the effect Dexamethasone (Dex), a broad anti-inflammatory agent, on heart regeneration, structure, and function of the neonatal pigs' post-myocardial infarction (MI). Read More

Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2020 May 9. Epub 2020 May 9.

Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Objectives: The introduction and expansion of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) have revolutionized the treatment of a variety of thoracic aortic diseases. We sought to evaluate the incidence, causes, predictors and costs associated with 30-day readmission after TEVAR in a nationally representative cohort.

Methods: Adult patients undergoing isolated TEVAR were identified in the National Readmissions Database from 2010 to 2014. Read More