Mid-term results of the Lupiae technique in patients with De Bakey Type I acute aortic dissection

The late persistence of a patent and dilated false lumen into the thoracic aorta is associated to higher re-operation rates and to a worse prognosis after the surgical repair of De Bakey Type I acute aortic dissection (TIAAD). We present the mid-term results of a hybrid, two-stage technique for TIAAD aimed to reduce the risk of late expansion of the residual false lumen.

From May 2005 to January 2011, 49 patients with TIAAD were treated with the Lupiae technique. During the emergency operation, a Vascutek Lupiae™, a multi-branched Dacron prosthesis, was implanted to replace the ascending aorta, the aortic arch and to reroute the origin of the epiaortic vessels. The debranching of the aortic arch creates a long and stable Dacron landing zone on the ascending aorta suitable for further endovascular interventions. Postoperatively, 34 patients with a patent or partially thrombosed false lumen > 22 mm or a diameter of the descending aorta > 46 mm underwent the implant endovascular stentgrafts into the descending aorta.

Three patients died after the first procedure. One patient died after the endovascular stage. No patient experienced paraplegia or stroke. The 6-year follow-up survival was 90 ± 4%. The obliteration of the false lumen was obtained in 94% of the patients.

In patients with TIAAD, the debranching of the aortic arch with the Lupiae technique can be safely performed. This technique creates a long and stable landing zone that can be easily used for the deployment of endovascular stentgrafts in case of distal false lumen expansion.