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Published on: December 11, 2017
Surgical 5-year Outcomes of Extra-Anatomical Bypass for Middle Aortic Syndrome: A Case Series
Taira Yamamoto1, Daisuke Endo1, Akie Shimada1
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, 12847Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan.
Insights
Extra-anatomical bypass surgery for middle aortic syndrome is a safe and effective treatment. This approach improved patient symptoms and prevented renal failure over a 5-year follow-up.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Rare Diseases
Background:
- Middle aortic syndrome is a rare condition with unclear optimal treatment strategies.
- Long-term outcomes of surgical interventions for middle aortic syndrome require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the 5-year outcomes of extra-anatomical bypass surgery in patients with middle aortic syndrome.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of this surgical approach for middle aortic syndrome.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of six patients with middle aortic syndrome treated with extra-anatomical bypass between 2013 and 2016.
- Procedures included bypass from descending aorta to infrarenal abdominal aorta, Y-grafting with aneurysmectomy, and bypass to distal descending thoracic aorta.
- Concomitant procedures and medical management for hypertension were noted.
Main Results:
- No early or late deaths were observed at 5-year follow-up.
- Significant improvement in critical ischemic symptoms (headache, abdominal pain, claudication, heart failure) and reduced antihypertensive medication needs.
- Ankle-brachial pressure index improved from 0.61 to 1.11, renal function remained stable, and brain natriuretic peptide levels decreased.
Conclusions:
- Extra-anatomical bypass surgery is a safe and effective treatment for middle aortic syndrome.
- This surgical strategy can prevent renal failure and alleviate critical ischemic symptoms.
- Positive 5-year outcomes support the use of extra-anatomical bypass for managing middle aortic syndrome.
Background:
Middle aortic syndrome is a rare disease. Several surgical treatments are available; however, the optimal treatment strategy and long-term outcomes remain unelucidated. We herein report the 5-year outcomes of six patients treated with extra-anatomical bypass surgery for middle aortic syndrome.
Case Presentations:
Between 2013 and 2016, six patients underwent extra-anatomical bypass for middle aortic syndrome at our institute: three had Takayasu's arteritis, one had vessel vasculitis, and two had middle aortic hypoplastic syndrome of unknown origin. The patients included five women and one man, with a mean age of 59.7 years. Four patients had uncontrolled hypertension and were receiving antihypertensive medications. The mean ankle-brachial pressure index was .61. The three patients with Takayasu's arteritis were hospitalized for congestive heart failure. These patients underwent bypass surgery from the descending aorta to the infrarenal abdominal aorta, and one also underwent concomitant heart surgery. The patient with microscopic polyangiitis underwent Y-grafting with an aortic aneurysmectomy. Subsequently, bypass surgery was performed from the descending aorta to the graft via the diaphragm. The two patients with unknown causes underwent bypass surgery from the proximal descending aorta to the distal descending thoracic aorta. There were no early or late deaths at the 5-year follow-up. We did not observe any changes in anastomotic site stenosis or new aneurysmal changes during the follow-up period. The number of antihypertensive medications was reduced in all cases, and critical symptoms, including headache, severe abdominal pain, claudication, and heart failure, improved in all patients. The ankle-brachial pressure index increased to 1.11 and did not change for five years. Renal function remained stable, and the brain natriuretic peptide level decreased from 302.8 to 74.5 pg/mL at follow-up.
Conclusion:
Extra-anatomical bypass for middle aortic syndrome is safe and effective, and can help prevent renal failure, and relieve critical ischemic symptoms.

