Early- and mid-term aortic remodelling after the frozen elephant trunk technique for retrograde type A acute aortic dissection using the new Japanese J Graft open stent graft

OBJECTIVES: We previously performed the frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique for acute type A aortic dissection to try to improve the long-term prognosis. In this study, we report the mid-term results of the FET technique for treating retrograde type A acute aortic dissection using a new device, the J Graft open stent graft (JOSG). METHODS: Between January 2008 and December 2015, 24 patients (mean age: 59.3 +/- 13.9 years) underwent total arch replacement with the FET technique using the JOSG for retrograde type A acute aortic dissection. All patients had at least 1 year of follow-up imaging. RESULTS: The average outer diameter of the JOSG was 28 +/- 2.8mm (range: 25-35 mm). The average position of the distal edge of the JOSG was Th 6.6 +/- 1.1. The cumulative survival rate at 1 year was 91.6%. Postoperative computed tomography 1 year after surgery showed that complete thrombosis was present in all patients at the level of the distal edge of the stent graft and the aortic valve. At the diaphragmatic level, complete thrombosis was seen in 14 (70%) patients, the false lumen was patent in most patients (90%) at the superior mesenteric artery level. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the FET technique with the JOSG for retrograde type A acute aortic dissection provides good outcomes. With the proper use of the JOSG, it is possible to expand the true lumen and eliminate antegrade false-lumen flow, resulting in good aortic remodelling. Furthermore, there should be obliteration of the false lumen from the stent graft to the aortic valve, and this might reduce long-term complications.