Patterns of aortic remodelling after total arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk for acute aortic dissection

We investigated the outcomes of total arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk (FET) for Stanford type A acute aortic dissection and the patterns of postoperative aortic remodelling from computed tomographic (CT) findings.

From April 2015 to November 2018, we performed total arch replacement with FET for Stanford type A aortic dissection in 30 patients. Postoperative contrast-enhanced CT showed the position of the FET distal end, the number and the site of communications between the lumina and the presence or absence of aortic remodelling.

Primary entry tear was found in the ascending aorta (n = 6), proximal arch (n = 6), aortic arch (n = 11) and distal arch (n = 7). The mean diameter and length of FET were 26 ± 2 and 84 ± 18 mm, respectively. Postoperative contrast-enhanced CT was performed in 26 patients. When the number of communications between the lumina was 0, complete aortic remodelling was achieved in all cases (n = 12). In the case of the most proximal tear in the descending aorta (n = 9), aortic remodelling was not recognized in 3 cases, and additional TEVAR was performed because of diameter enlargement. In the remaining 6 patients, neither aortic remodelling nor aortic diameter enlargement was recognized. When the most proximal tear was below the diaphragm (n = 5), aortic remodelling occurred up to the most proximal tear, but not in the periphery.

We investigated the patterns of aortic remodelling after total arch replacement with FET for Stanford type A aortic dissection from postoperative CT findings. Regardless of the position of the most proximal tear in the descending aorta, aortic remodelling did not occur as long as the most proximal tear was located in the descending aorta. When the most proximal tear occurred in the descending aorta, TEVAR as a pre-emptive treatment can be effective in preventing postoperative aortic adverse events.