5 Videos to Help You Prepare for Aortic Dissection Complications

Aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition, and it is important to understand how to manage it in the varying circumstances under which it can occur. This informative collection of videos, published over the last couple of years on CTSNet, features a wide variety of procedures involving the repair of aortic dissection. 

1. Iatrogenic Aortic Dissection During Elective Cardiac Surgery
By Jae Suk Yoo

Although it is rare, iatrogenic aortic dissection is a catastrophic complication of cardiac surgery. In this video, Dr. Jae Suk Yoo demonstrates his course of action during two cases of extensive type A aortic dissection occurring during elective surgeries. These rare moments caught on camera are particularly useful to trainees.

2. Operative Repair of Aortic Dissection with an Entry Tear on the Lesser Curve of the Arch
By Charles Roberts

This video from Dr. Charles Roberts shows an emergency repair of aortic dissection in a patient after identification of a large entry tear on the lesser curve of the arch. This can add difficulty to the procedure, and while rare, it is important to know how to repair.

3. Repair of Type A Aortic Dissection After TAVR With Uncovered Thoracic Endograft
By Bruce Rutkin, Frank Manetta

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been shown as equal to SAVR in low and intermediate-risk populations. This video shows an uncommon but devastating complication of TAVR—type A aortic dissection. When open repair is not an option, as in this case, stent grafts can be used.

4. Type A Aortic Dissection With Hemi Arch Replacement
By Oleg Orlov, Vishal Shah, Konstadinos Plestis

In another example of type A aortic dissection repair, this video shows a patient who also required hemi arch replacement. Drs. Orlov, Shah, and Plestis demonstrate a more standard repair than those shown above, although the hemi arch replacement exemplifies the necessity for varying techniques.

5. A Simplified Approach to Managing Acute Aortic Dissection: Tips and Tricks
By Jonathan Hemli, Luigi Pirelli, Nirav Patel, Alan Hartman, Derek Brinster

Finally, this team effort demonstrates an aortic dissection repair punctuated by tips and tricks for the difficult procedure. The authors show frozen elephant trunk sizing, central aortic cannulation, moderate hypothermia, and root reconstruction—all essential elements to aortic dissection repair.