Frozen elephant trunk in acute type A aortic dissection: surgical techniques and the extracorporeal circuit...

Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) is a challenging clinical condition with immediate and late complications. Frozen elephant trunk (FET) has been offered as a solution for it promises to address the late complications-false lumen thrombosis and aortic remodelling. Here, we describe the implantation of the FET in ATAAD with the surgical technique and extracorporeal circuit management. A 54-year-old male presented with retrograde type A aortic dissection with an entry point distal to the left subclavian artery. He underwent FET using Thoraflex™ hybrid vascular prosthesis (Vascutek, Inchinnan, Scotland). Three-month follow-up showed a complete obliteration of the false lumen in the descending thoracic aorta. FET in ATAAD is a valid option in the hands of experienced surgeons, while patient selection still remains the key in this surgery.