title: Treatment of isolated ascending aortic aneurysm by off-pump epiaortic wrapping is safe and durable.
abstract: Isolated ascending aortic aneurysm (iAA) is usually treated by open graft repair requiring sternotomy, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and cardioplegia. This approach carries significant mortality in older patients or those presenting with comorbidities. We report an original series of patients presenting with iAA and treated with epiaortic wrapping by using a synthetic mesh. This less invasive aortic repair technique allows reducing the aortic diameter to a predefined value and is performed without CPB.
  
  
  
  Data from patients presenting with an iAA and treated with the wrapping technique (WT) by polypropylene/polyester mesh from November 2006 to July 2015 were collected. The end-points that were analysed included maximal aortic transverse diameter, perioperative mortality and morbidity, survival, freedom from reinterventions and aortic valve function during follow-up. The maximal aneurysm transverse diameter was analysed based on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CTA) or magnetic resonance (MR) performed preoperatively, and during the follow-up.
  
  
  
  The off-pump WT was used in 33 cases with no perioperative mortality. The median radiological follow-up was 33.47 (range: 1-106) months. Overall, the WT achieved a 30% diameter reduction. The mean preoperative and postoperative ascending aortic transverse diameter was 5.5 cm [standard deviation (SD): 0.6] and 3.7 cm (SD: 0.30), respectively (P = 0.001). In addition, CTA or MR follow-up showed stable diameters at the level of the aortic root and the distal ascending aorta. No death occurred during the follow-up. At 5 years, the estimated freedom rate from reinterventions of the aortic root and ascending aorta was 94%.
  
  
  
  This series shows that the WT with a polypropylene/polyester mesh allows safe off-pump treatment of patients with iAA. Mid- and long-term results are promising. This technique could be an attractive alternative, especially for patients unfit for aortic surgery with CPB and cardioplegia.
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland felicepecoraro@libero.it.
authors.forename: Felice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pecoraro
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Masami
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shingaki
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Johnny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Steuer
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Lyubov
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chaykovska
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Zoran
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Rancic
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Thi Dan Linh
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Nguyen-Kim
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bettex
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Frank J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Veith
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lachat
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001011:Aorta / Q000601:surgery*; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000601:surgery*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D056346:Sternotomy / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Aortic valve insufficiency; Ascending aorta; Graft repair; Mesh (polypropylene/polyester); Off-pump; Wrapping girdling