Journal of vascular surgery
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Surgical repair of thoracoabdominal aneurysms may be associated with a significant risk of perioperative morbidity including spinal cord ischemia, which occurs at a rate of between 5% and 21%. Spinal cord ischemia after endovascular repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) has also been reported. This investigation reviews the occurrence of spinal cord ischemia after endovascular repair of descending TAAs at the Mount Sinai Medical Center. ⋯ Endovascular repair of TAA has shown a promising reduction in operative morbidity; however, the risk of spinal cord ischemia remains. Concomitant or previous abdominal aortic aneurysm repair and long segment thoracic aortic exclusion appear to be important risk factors. Spinal cord protective measures (ie, cerebrospinal fluid drainage, steroids, prevention of hypotension) should be used for patients with the aforementioned risk factors undergoing endovascular TAA repair.
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We used (31)P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) as a means of quantifying abnormalities in calf muscle oxygenation and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) turnover in peripheral vascular disease (PVD). ⋯ The primary lesion in oxygen supply dominates muscle metabolism. Reduced force-generation in patients who are affected more may protect muscle from metabolic stress.
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The current therapy for type A aortic dissection is ascending aortic replacement. Operative mortality and morbidity rates have been markedly improved because of recent advances in surgical techniques and anesthesiology. However, type A aortic dissection with an entry tear in the descending thoracic aorta is still a surgical challenge because of the need for extensive aortic replacement. ⋯ Stent-graft repair of aortic dissection with an entry tear in the descending thoracic aorta is a safe and effective method and may be an alternative to surgical graft replacement in highly selected patients.
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Paraplegia is the most dreaded and severe complication of surgery on the descending thoracic aorta (TAA) and thoracoabdominal aorta (TAAA). The functional integrity of the spinal cord can be monitored by means of intraoperative recording of myogenic-evoked responses after transcranial electrical stimulation (tcMEP) and somatosensory-evoked potential (SEP) monitoring. In this study, we evaluated the results of evoked potential monitoring and the adequacy of the strategy followed. ⋯ tcMEP monitoring seems to be a useful adjunct of the protective techniques and may cause substantial adjustments in strategy, reducing the incidence of postoperative paraplegia.