A self-adaptive triple-branched stent graft for arch repair during open type A dissection surgery

Objective To make the open placement of the triple-branched stent graft technique suitable for most patients with acute type A aortic dissection to achieve effective individual total arch repair, we developed a self-adaptive triple-branched stent graft and arch open technique. In this study, we report the clinical experience and outcomes of total arch repair using implantation of this self-adaptive triple-branched stent graft with the aid of the arch open technique. Methods Between December 2012 and July 2014, 105 consecutive patients with acute type A aortic dissection with indications of total arch repair underwent total arch repair using implantation of a self-adaptive triple-branched stent graft with the aid of the arch open technique under hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass and selective cerebral perfusion. Survivors were followed up prospectively by means of computed tomography angiography. Results The cardiopulmonary bypass time was 169.37 ± 27.17 minutes, aortic crossclamp time was 60.48 ± 16.72 minutes, and selective cerebral perfusion and lower body arrest time was 28.95 ± 7.23 minutes. The in-hospital mortality was 4.76%. One patient was lost to follow-up. One sudden death of unknown cause occurred 10 months after surgery. On the 3-month postoperative scans, the false lumen closed with complete thrombus formation around the self-adaptive triple-branched stent graft was found in all survivors and at the diaphragmatic level in 71.72% of patients. Conclusions The simple implantation of a self-adaptive triple-branched stent graft with the aid of the arch open technique can be used safely in most patients with acute type A aortic dissection for effective individual total arch repair.