Fiona Rohlffs

The influence of music and music therapy on pain-induced neuronal oscillations measured by magnetencephalography.

Summary We report results of a study using laser pain and magnetencephalography to investigate the effects of music therapy on pain processing with a focus on neuronal oscillations. Abstract Modern forms of music therapy are clinically established for various therapeutic or rehabilitative goals, especially in the treatment of chronic pain. However, little is known about the neuronal mechanisms that underlie pain modulation by music. Therefore, we attempted to characterize the effects of music therapy on pain perception by comparing the effects of 2 different therapeutic concepts, referred to as receptive and entrainment methods, on cortical activity recorded by magnetencephalography in combination with laser heat pain. Listening to preferred music within the receptive method yielded a significant reduction of pain ratings associated with a significant power reduction of delta‐band activity in the cingulate gyrus, which suggests that participants displaced their focus of attention away from the pain stimulus. On the other hand, listening to self‐composed “pain music” and “healing music” within the entrainment method exerted major effects on gamma‐band activity in primary and secondary somatosensory cortices. Pain music, in contrast to healing music, increased pain ratings in parallel with an increase in gamma‐band activity in somatosensory brain structures. In conclusion, our data suggest that the 2 music therapy approaches operationalized in this study seem to modulate pain perception through at least 2 different mechanisms, involving changes of activity in the delta and gamma bands at different stages of the pain processing system.

Carbon Dioxide Flushing Technique to Prevent Cerebral Arterial Air Embolism and Stroke During TEVAR.

Purpose: To describe the technique of carbon dioxide (CO2) flushing of thoracic stent-grafts to reduce the risk of cerebral air embolism. Technique: To remove room air, thoracic stent-grafts were preoperatively flushed 2 minutes with carbon dioxide from a cylinder connected to the flushing chamber of the captor valves of Zenith custom-made endografts; this was followed by the standard saline flush. Thirty-six patients undergoing thoracic endovascular aortic repairs (TEVAR) involving the ascending aorta and the aortic arch received CO2-flushed Zenith endografts. One patient with a highly calcified arch experienced a minor stroke. Conclusion: Arterial air embolism is a potentially underappreciated problem of aortic endografting, especially in the proximal segments of the aorta. CO2 flushing may have the potential to reduce air embolization during TEVAR.

Technical Aspects of Implanting the t-Branch Off-the-Shelf Multibranched Stent-Graft for Thoracoabdominal Aneurysms

Purpose: To describe the planning and technique for implantation of the t-Branch off-the-shelf multibranched aortic endograft. Technique: Total endovascular repair of thoracoabdominal aneurysms (TAAAs) with branched endografts is one of the most important paradigm shifts in the past decade. The t-Branch endograft, an off-the-shelf multibranched graft introduced in the European market in late 2012, allows treatment of patients with suitable anatomy in both the elective and urgent settings to avoid delays related to manufacturing time of custom-made devices. The steps required for the planning and implantation of the device are described, including some tips and tricks. Conclusion: The use of an off-the-shelf multibranched device is an appealing option in the treatment of TAAAs, especially in the acute setting. Nevertheless, results of complex aortic repairs with this specific device are associated with a learning curve and can be improved by identifying a number of intraoperative risks and paying heed to several technical details.

Acute Type A Aortic Dissection Treated Using a Tubular Stent-Graft in the Ascending Aorta and a Multibranched Stent-Graft in the Aortic Arch

Purpose: To describe the combined use of a tubular stent-graft for the ascending aorta and an inner-branched arch stent-graft for patients with acute type A aortic dissection. Technique: The technique to deploy these modular, custom-made stent-grafts is demonstrated in 2 patients with acute DeBakey type I aortic dissections and significant comorbidities precluding open surgery. Both emergent procedures were made possible by the availability of suitable devices manufactured for elective repair in other patients. After preliminary carotid-subclavian bypass, a long Lunderquist guidewire was introduced from the right femoral artery to the left ventricle for delivery of the Zenith Ascend and Zenith Branched Arch Endovascular Grafts under inflow occlusion. Bridging stent-grafts were delivered to the innominate and left common carotid arteries to connect to the 2 inner branches; the left subclavian artery was occluded. Both cases were technically successful and resulted in exclusion of the false lumen in the ascending aorta. The operating and fluoroscopy times did not exceed those of comparable elective procedures. The patients were rapidly extubated shortly after the procedure and without serious immediate complications. One patient survived 11 months with a satisfactory repair; the other succumbed to complications of recurrent pneumonia after 23 days. Conclusion: Endovascular treatment of patients with acute type A aortic dissection using a combination of tubular and branched stent-grafts in the ascending aorta is feasible and offers an alternative strategy to open surgery.

Outcome of Surgeon-Modified Fenestrated/Branched Stent-Grafts for Symptomatic Complex Aortic Pathologies or Contained Rupture

Purpose: To analyze the outcome of surgeon-modified fenestrated and branched stent-grafts (sm-FBSG) in high-risk patients with symptomatic complex aortic pathology or contained rupture. Methods: A single-center retrospective analysis was conducted of 21 consecutive patients (mean age 70 years, range 58–87; 16 men) treated with a sm-FBSG from April 2014 to September 2016. The indications included 11 thoracoabdominal and 10 pararenal aortic pathologies, which presented as symptomatic in 8 and as contained rupture in 13 patients. The mean aneurysm diameter was 7.4±2.3 cm. Results: Technical success was 100%. From 1 to 4 (mean 3) renovisceral branch vessels were targeted with fenestrations. The mean length of in-hospital stay was 19 days (range 1–78). There was 1 death within 30 days and 2 further in-hospital deaths. Two patients suffered permanent spinal cord injury, 2 developed respiratory failure, and 2 had renal failure requiring temporary or permanent dialysis. No myocardial infarction, stroke, or bowel ischemia occurred. Six early endoleaks (3 type II and 3 minor type III) were detected. Mean follow-up was 11.2 months (range 2–33) in 17 patients. One late aneurysm-related death occurred. All 13 follow-up imaging studies showed patent target renovisceral vessels, with 1 type I and 2 type II endoleaks. Conclusion: Sm-FBSG can be utilized for urgent treatment of complex abdominal and thoracoabdominal aortic pathologies in high-risk patients with anatomy unsuitable for commercially available stent-grafts.

Air Embolism During TEVAR: Carbon Dioxide Flushing Decreases the Amount of Gas Released from Thoracic Stent-Grafts During Deployment

Purpose: To investigate the amount of gas released from Zenith thoracic stent-grafts using standard saline flushing vs the carbon dioxide flushing technique. Methods: In an experimental bench setting, 20 thoracic stent-grafts were separated into 2 groups of 10 endografts. One group of grafts was flushed with 60 mL saline and the other group was flushed with carbon dioxide for 5 minutes followed by 60 mL saline. All grafts were deployed into a water-filled container with a curved plastic pipe; the deployment was recorded and released gas was measured using a calibrated setup. Results: Gas was released from all grafts in both study groups during endograft deployment. The average amount of released gas per graft was significantly lower in the study group with carbon dioxide flushing (0.79 vs 0.51 mL, p=0.005). Conclusion: Thoracic endografts release significant amounts of air during deployment if flushed according to the instructions for use. Application of carbon dioxide for the flushing of thoracic stent-grafts prior to standard saline flush significantly reduces the amount of gas released during deployment. The additional use of carbon dioxide should be considered as a standard flush technique for aortic stent-grafts, especially in those implanted in proximal aortic segments, to reduce the risk of air embolism and stroke.

New Advances in Endovascular Therapy: Endovascular Repair of a Chronic DeBakey Type II Aortic Dissection With a Scalloped Stent-Graft Designed for the Ascending Aorta.

Purpose: To describe the deployment into the ascending aorta of a fenestrated stent-graft with a scallop for the innominate artery. Technique: A 72-year-old multimorbid patient presented with a chronic DeBakey type II aortic dissection of the ventral ascending aorta with close proximity (16 mm) to the innominate artery. A 1-piece, 46-mm-diameter Zenith Ascend Thoracic Endovascular Graft with circumferential diameter-reducing sutures (ProForm) was custom made with a 15×30-mm scallop for the innominate artery. The stent-graft was loaded on a Z-Trak Plus Introducer System with a 20-F hydrophilic-coated sheath and successfully implanted under inflow occlusion in a procedure that lasted 35 minutes. Conclusion: The use of fenestrated stent-grafts in the ascending aorta is feasible, and a scallop in the distal stent-graft can extend coverage of the ascending aorta in pathologies close to the innominate artery. This technique broadens the range of endovascular options for patients not suitable for open surgery.

Early Outcomes of the t-Branch Off-the-Shelf Multibranched Stent-Graft in Urgent Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Purpose: To assess the short-term outcomes of the multibranched off-the-shelf t-Branch stent-graft for urgent thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair and to evaluate the impact on outcomes of the learning curve and adherence to the instruction for use (IFU). Methods: Between 2014 and 2017, 42 patients (mean age 73.3±7 years; 26 men) underwent urgent TAAA treatment using the t-Branch stent-graft [18 in the early (2014–2015) period and 24 in the late (2016–2017) period]. Nearly half the patients were symptomatic (n=18) and 12 had contained rupture. Aneurysm diameter >80 mm was present in 12 (mean diameter 77.7±13.2 mm). Nineteen patients did not meet the IFU for the t-Branch due to target vessel anatomy. The primary endpoints were spinal cord ischemia (SCI), renal function impairment, and 30-day mortality. Target vessel patency and endoleak incidence were assessed at 30 days. Multivariate analyses examined associations between perioperative variables and outcomes; the results are presented as the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: The technical success rate was 93% (39/42). Successful catheterization was achieved in 150/155 target vessels (97%). The postoperative SCI rate was 21% (5 paraplegia/4 transient paraparesis) and was correlated with age (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.56, p=0.04). The renal function impairment rate was 23% (10/42; 2 temporary, 2 permanent dialysis) and was correlated with early experience (OR 7.74, 95% CI 1.3 to 43.9, p=0.019). The 30-day mortality was 14% (no intraoperative deaths); no factor was associated with mortality. During the first month, the incidences of type I, II, and III endoleaks were 0%, 43%, and 0%, respectively; branch patency was 99% (150/151). Procedure time decreased in the later experience (479±333 vs 407±25 minutes, p=0.09), though it was increased in cases outside the IFU (497±135 vs 389±118 minutes, p=0.009), along with fluoroscopy time (121±48 vs 92±33 minutes, p=0.036). Conclusion: Endovascular repair of urgent TAAA using the t-Branch is a feasible treatment option with acceptable 30-day mortality and morbidity in terms of SCI and renal function impairment. Adherence to the IFU prolonged procedure time but had no effect on outcomes. Increased experience of such cases over time may improve outcomes.

The Candy-Plug Technique: Technical Aspects and Early Results of a New Endovascular Method for False Lumen Occlusion in Chronic Aortic Dissection:

Purpose: To describe the technical aspects and early results of the Candy-Plug technique for endovascular false lumen occlusion in chronic aortic dissection. Methods: A retrospective single-center study analyzing 18 consecutive patients (mean age 63 years, range 44–76; 16 men) with thoracic false lumen aneurysm in chronic aortic dissection. All patients underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair with false lumen occlusion using the Candy-Plug technique. Primary endpoints consisted of technical success (successful deployment) and clinical success (no false lumen backflow). Secondary endpoints included 30-day mortality and morbidity as well as aortic remodeling during follow-up. Results: Technical success was 100%. Additional intraprocedural false lumen embolization at the Candy-Plug level was needed in 1 patient due to persisting false lumen backflow on the final angiogram (clinical success 94%). There were no intraprocedural complications. In the perioperative period, there were 3 minor complications: transient mild spinal cord ischemia, cervical hematoma after carotid-subclavian bypass, and a common femoral artery pseudoaneurysm. No deaths or reinterventions occurred. Complete distal false lumen occlusion was present on postoperative computed tomography in 15 patients, while 3 had minor contrast enhancement in the distal false lumen. Over a mean 9-month follow-up (range 0–26), 1 patient died due to rupture. Follow-up >6 months was available in 10 patients (mean 14.7 months, range 7–26): 7 patients showed aortic remodeling, while aneurysm size was stable in 3 patients. Conclusion: The Candy-Plug technique is a feasible endovascular method to achieve false lumen occlusion and aortic remodeling in chronic aortic dissection. It is associated with low morbidity and mortality due to its minimal invasiveness.

Right brachial access is safe for branched endovascular aneurysm repair in complex aortic disease

Background: The risk of perioperative cerebrovascular events in endovascular repair of thoracic and thoracoabdominal aneurysms is reported from 2% to 15%. The unavoidable use of an upper extremity access during branched endovascular aneurysm repair (b‐EVAR) may play a role in embolic brain injuries. For this reason, some advocate the use of a left‐sided upper access to avoid crossing the origin of supra‐aortic vessels. However, the assumption that right brachial access has a higher risk for stroke during b‐EVAR has not been confirmed in the literature. Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed all consecutive patients treated by b‐EVAR with right brachial access at a single institution. A through‐and‐through right‐brachiofemoral 0.014‐inch wire was used to stabilize the sheath across the arch in all cases. End point of the study was the incidence of cerebrovascular events. Results: We identified 61 patients (65.6% male) during a 4‐year period. Mean age at the time of surgery was 70.4 years (range, 53‐87 years). The most common indication for treatment was type II (32.8%), followed by type IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (23%). There were 20 urgent (32.8%) and 41 elective (67.2%) procedures. Two perioperative ischemic strokes occurred in the first postoperative day in two men (3.3%; 95% confidence interval, 0.397‐11.84). No further ischemic strokes occurred perioperatively. There was no statistically significant association between the occurrence of postoperative stroke and any of the perioperative characteristics. No significant association was found between the duration of the procedure and the end point. In both patients with embolic events, the use of a left arm approach would not have been feasible due to coverage of the left subclavian artery ostium. Conclusions: The postoperative stroke rate in b‐EVAR with the use of a right brachial access in our experience was in line with the literature for treatment of thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. We conclude that the right brachial access with the use of a stabilizing through‐and‐through wire is a safe approach during b‐EVAR.