Retrograde Type A Ascending Dissection after Total Endovascular Aortic Arch Repair

Abstract

An 80-year-old man with aortic arch aneurysm successfully underwent surgical debranching of the supra-aortic branches followed by thoracic endovascular aortic repair of the transverse arch with 3 stent grafts via the femoral artery. His postoperative course was uneventful. However, on postoperative day 10, he developed acute chest pain and required cardiopulmonary resuscitation due to cardiac tamponade.

Key Words

Dissection - Endovascular - CT scan - Stent graft - TEVAR

Introduction

An 80-year-old man with aortic arch aneurysm successfully underwent surgical debranching of the supra-aortic branches followed by thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) of the transverse arch with 3 stent grafts via the femoral artery. His postoperative course was uneventful. However, on postoperative day 10, he developed acute chest pain and required cardiopulmonary resuscitation due to cardiac tamponade.

Computed tomography (CT) of the chest [Fig. 1]–[1D], sagittal plane, arrows] showed a retrograde type A aortic dissection extending into the native ascending aorta and the aortic root. Emergent open reoperation with ascending aortic replacement was performed using bilateral selective cerebral perfusion and moderate hypothermia (28°C). The patient was discharged to a neurological rehabilitation clinic—despite preserved motor function—due to multi-infarction syndrome 2 weeks postoperatively.

Figure 1. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest shows retrograde type A dissection involving the ascending aorta and the aortic root (panel A-D).

Delayed retrograde type A aortic dissection is a rare—most likely underreported—fatal complication that may occur after TEVAR of the transverse arch. The potential mechanisms that may lead to retrograde dissection post-TEVAR are still unknown; however, various associations have been suggested: (1) stent graft oversizing during deployment[1], (2) the use of bare springs at the proximal end of the prosthesis[2] [3], or (3) preexisting aortic pathology/intimal damage (Type B dissection, penetrating aorta ulcer, aortic ectasia, cross-clamping injury, compliance mismatch, etc.)[4]. With regard to these assumptions, we and others[5] [6] strongly recommend replacing an ectatic ascending aorta (> 40 mm) to achieve an optimal proximal landing zone during the rerouting procedure.

These images illustrate that close CT surveillance for retrograde aortic dissection is essential—especially in patients with a proximal landing zone in the native, possibly ectatic ascending aorta—prior to discharge as well as during follow-up in a routine fashion. Physicians, clinicians, and surgeons should be aware of such potentially life-threatening complications after TEVAR that may occur without clinical symptoms even months to years after initial treatment.

Conflict of Interest

The authors have no conflict of interest relevant to this publication.

• References

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