Factors associated with false lumen changes in patients with superior mesenteric artery dissection

False lumen changes (FLCs) are the main reference for the prognosis judgment and treatment plan selection for type IIa superior mesenteric artery dissection (SMAD).

For this retrospective study, 55 patients with symptomatic type IIa SMAD were included. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was used to explore the hemodynamic basis of FLCs. Correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify clinical, morphological and hemodynamic factors associated with FLCs.

The FLCs of patients with successful conservative treatment (n = 29) are significantly higher than those with failed conservative treatment (n = 26) (58.5 ± 21.1% vs 10.9 ± 17.4%, p < 0.0001). Positive correlations were seen between FLCs and the morphological parameters false lumen length (FLL)/dissection entrance length (DEL) and FLL. In terms of hemodynamic parameters, negative correlations were seen between FLCs and time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS), vorticity, and high areas of TAWSS and vorticity, whereas positive correlations were seen between FLCs and oscillatory shear index (OSI), relative residence time (RRT), and high areas of OSI and RRT. Multiple linear regression analysis identified symptom duration (odds ratio [OR], 0.93; 95% CI, 0.91-0.96; p < 0.0001), FLL/DEL (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.01-1.67; p = 0.044), and high RRT area (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.48-2.78; p < 0.0001) as predictors of FLCs.

The clinical predictor symptom duration, morphological factor FLL/DEL, and the hemodynamic factor high RRT area can serve as predictors of FLCs in patients with symptomatic type IIa SMAD.