Frozen elephant trunk in acute type A aortic dissection: surgical techniques and the extracorporeal circuit management

Abstract

Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) is a challenging clinical condition with immediate and late complications. Frozen elephant trunk (FET) has been offered as a solution for it promises to address the late complications—false lumen thrombosis and aortic remodelling. Here, we describe the implantation of the FET in ATAAD with the surgical technique and extracorporeal circuit management. A 54-year-old male presented with retrograde type A aortic dissection with an entry point distal to the left subclavian artery. He underwent FET using Thoraflex™ hybrid vascular prosthesis (Vascutek, Inchinnan, Scotland). Three-month follow-up showed a complete obliteration of the false lumen in the descending thoracic aorta. FET in ATAAD is a valid option in the hands of experienced surgeons, while patient selection still remains the key in this surgery.