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Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is without any doubt a standard technique and the treatment of choice of severe aortic valve stenosis (AVS) in very high-operative risk patients. However, a number of complications may occur and has been described. Improper valve position, valve migration, paravalvular regurgitation, conduction disturbances, stroke and aortic dissection have been succeeded despite the perfection of the technique. For anyone of the complications above described, a solution may be invented. We present an interesting case of an 81-year-old woman with severe AVS treated through TAVI due to very high operative risk. This female, 12 days later presented with thoracic pain and shortness of breath and through the computed tomography of the chest performed was diagnosed a dissection of the descending aorta. She successfully underwent on thoracic endovascular aortic repair. In this report, we refer the bibliographic data and we discuss the treatment options in these cases.

Background: We have employed a conservative management approach, including intensive control of both blood pressure and heart rate, in patients with aortic intramural hematoma (AIMH) and retrograde thrombosed type A acute aortic dissection (RT-TAAAD), sharing common clinical and imaging characteristics. Methods: To evaluate the outcomes of our conservative management approach, we retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 98 patients diagnosed with AIMH or RT-TAAAD from January 2008 to March 2023. A conservative management approach was applied, except for those patients with an aortic diameter ≥ 55 mm, false lumen expansion, or cardiac tamponade, who underwent emergency aortic repair. Results: Besides 2 patients, who declined surgery and subsequently died from aortic rupture, 18 patients underwent urgent aortic surgery, while 78 did not. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified the extrusion type of ulcer-like projections (ULPs) on admission and a maximum aortic diameter ≥ 45 mm on Day 1 as risk factors for acute aortic surgery. Among the 78 patients who were discharged, 9 (12%) underwent aortic surgery, while 69 (88%) did not, with a median follow-up of 44 months. The overall actuarial aortic surgery-free rates were 78% at 1 year and 72% at 5 years, respectively. A Cox proportional hazards analysis identified ULPs and an aortic diameter ≥ 45 mm at discharge as risk factors for late aortic surgery. Conclusions: The early and late outcomes of our conservative strategy for AIMH and RT-TAAAD demonstrate favorable surgery-free rates. The extrusion type of ULPs on admission and an aortic diameter ≥ 45 mm on Day 1 are predictors of acute aortic surgery, while ULPs and an aortic diameter ≥ 45 mm at discharge are predictors of late surgery.

Acute aortic dissection occurs due to a primary tear in the aortic intima, with blood from the aortic lumen entering the adjacent diseased media. In the clinical setting, practitioners often hesitate before the use of anti-thrombotic drugs in the acute phase of aortic dissection. Therefore, we examined the clinical course in patients who had already received antithrombotic therapies at the onset of acute aortic dissection, and who were given anti-thrombotic drugs in the acute phase during hospitalization. We retrospectively enrolled 685 consecutive patients with acute aortic dissection (type A/B: 454/231), who were transferred to Kurume University Hospital from 2004 to 2020. In types A and B, there were no significant differences between in-hospital mortality with or without antithrombotic therapies at the onset (14.3% vs. 16.4%, p = 0.66 in type A, 2.6% vs. 7.3%, p = 0.29 in type B). Patients in type A who survived more than a day and were treated with anti-thrombotic drugs during hospitalization had significantly lower in-hospital mortality compared with those who received no anti-thrombotic drugs in the acute phase (2.2% vs. 16.1%, p < 0.001), while there was no significant difference between in-hospital mortality in the two type-B groups (2.4% vs. 4.9%, p = 0.48). Although there were variations in response among patients with acute aortic dissection, anti-thrombotic drugs did not worsen in-hospital mortality for patients with acute aortic dissection, indicating that medical staff should not hesitate to administer anti-thrombotic drugs if indicated.

Objectives This study aims to retrospectively analyze the clinical features of Stanford type A acute aortic dissection (TAAAD) based on Sun’s modified classification, and to investigate whether the Sun’s modified classification can be used to assess the risk of preoperative rupture. Methods Clinical data was collected between January 2018 and June 2019. Data included patient demographics, history of disease, type of dissection according to the Sun’s modified classification, time of onset, biochemical tests, and preoperative rupture. Results A total of 387 patients with TAAAD who met the inclusion criteria of Sun’s modified classification were included. There were more complex types, with 75, 151 and 140 patients in the type A1C, A2C and A3C groups, respectively. The age of the entire group of patients was 51.46 ± 12.65 years and 283 (73.1%) were male. The time from onset to the emergency room was 25.37 ± 30.78 h. There were a few cases of TAAAD combined with stroke, pericardial effusion, pleural effusion, and lower extremity and organ ischemia in the complex type group. The white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count (NEC) and blood amylase differed significantly between the groups. Three independent risk factors for preoperative rupture were identified: neutrophil count, blood potassium ion level, and platelet count. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the Sun’s modified classification could not be used to assess the risk of preoperative rupture in TAAAD. Conclusion TAAAD was classified as the complex type in most patients. WBC, NEC and blood amylase were significantly different between the groups. NEC and serum potassium ion level were independent risk factors for preoperative rupture of TAAAD, while platelet count was its protective factor. More samples are needed to determine whether Sun’s modified classification can be used to evaluate the risk of preoperative rupture.

Background Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a life-threatening cardiovascular emergency frequently associated with misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. This paper aims to illustrate the diagnostic challenges of AAD in rehabilitation settings by presenting a case with atypical musculoskeletal symptoms and emphasize the importance of considering vascular emergencies with literature review. Methods A 46-year-old male presented to a rehabilitation center with migrating right shoulder pain and proximal weakness. Initial complaint suggested a musculoskeletal disorder; however, further evaluation revealed hypertension, tachycardia, and migratory, intensifying pain. A subsequent computed tomography angiography confirmed AAD. The patient underwent urgent Sun’s procedure, including ascending aorta and total arch replacement with stented elephant trunk implantation, which was followed by multidisciplinary rehabilitation due to the secondary ischemic stroke. Results The patient’s early symptoms closely mimicked musculoskeletal disorders, which delayed his prioritization of seeking medical service. After cardiovascular evaluation and successful aortic repair, the AAD was stabilized. However, he later developed right-sided hemiplegia as a secondary complication and was referred back for neurological rehabilitation, which included repetitive task training, robot-assisted therapy, and functional electrical stimulation. Three months post-surgery, he demonstrated significant functional recovery, with Fugl-Meyer Assessment scores improving from 12/66 to 58/66 for the upper extremity and from 17/34 to 32/34 for the lower extremity. Conclusion This case and literature review highlight the diagnostic challenges of AAD presenting as musculoskeletal pain and underscores the need for rehabilitation specialists to maintain a broad differential diagnosis. A high index of suspicion is essential for early recognition and timely referral, especially in patients with overlapping symptoms and vascular risk factors. Impact This case adds to the limited body of evidence on AAD presenting with musculoskeletal complaints and may serve to raise clinical awareness. Further studies, including case series and systematic investigations, are needed to better characterize such atypical presentations and guide diagnostic pathways in rehabilitation settings.

Thoracic aortic aneurysms involving the root and/or the ascending aorta enlarge over time until an acute tear in the intimal layer leads to a highly fatal condition, an acute aortic dissection (AAD). These Stanford type A AADs, in which the tear occurs above the sinotubular junction, leading to the formation of a false lumen in the aortic wall that may extend to the arch and thoracoabdominal aorta. Type B AADs originate in the descending thoracic aorta just distal to the left subclavian artery. Genetic variants and various environmental conditions that disrupt the aortic wall integrity have been identified that increase the risk for thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAD). In this review, we discuss the predominant TAD-associated risk factors, focusing primarily on the non-genetic factors, and discuss the underlying mechanisms leading to TAD.

Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a life-threatening cardiovascular emergency characterized by aortic layer separation and false lumen formation, with high mortality rates. Emerging evidence highlights the critical role of innate immunity in AD pathogenesis. Innate immune activation drives AAD progression through multiple mechanisms, including macrophage polarization (M1/M2 imbalance), neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation, and inflammasome activation. These processes amplify vascular inflammation via cytokine storms (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and oxidative stress, further promoting matrix metalloproteinase activation and smooth muscle cell phenotypic switching. The cGAS-STING pathway, triggered by mitochondrial DNA release, and TLR signaling act as central hubs connecting vascular injury to innate immune responses. This review synthesizes recent advances in the molecular mechanisms of AAD, focusing on aortic wall structural alterations, dysregulated signaling pathway, including TGF-β, Ang II, STING, and TLR cascades, and immune-inflammatory responses mediated by innate immune components. A deeper understanding of these innate immune components may lead to improved diagnostic biomarkers and targeted therapies for AAD management.

Background The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between admission inflammatory indexes neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), and the risk of in-hospital all-cause mortality in acute aortic dissection (AAD) patients. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 597 AAD patients (Stanford classification: Stanford type A 365 patients, Stanford type B 232 patients) at a single center. Outcomes were the incidence of in-hospital all-cause mortality. The risk of all-cause death was compared between the groups with low and high inflammatory indexes using the Kaplan-Meier curve. The association between admission inflammatory indexes and outcomes was evaluated using the Cox regression model and restricted cubic splines (RCS). Stratified analysis was performed based on AAD type, age (< 50 years or ≥ 50 years), and gender. Results The Kaplan-Meier curves revealed statistically significant differences in outcomes among the low and high inflammatory indexes groups. Cox regression analysis revealed that the in-hospital mortality risk was significantly high in the high inflammatory index groups. MLR was the strongest associated with in-hospital mortality risk. The RCS curve revealed that NLR was non-linearly and J-shaped correlated with in-hospital mortality, and MLR and SII were linearly correlated with in-hospital mortality. Stratified analysis showed interactions between NLR, MLR, and SII and AAD type and age for the risk of in-hospital mortality. Conclusion Admission high inflammatory indexes were independently associated with an increased risk of in-hospital all-cause mortality in AAD patients. The inflammatory indexes NLR, MLR, and SII may be useful indicators for predicting in-hospital all-cause mortality in AAD patients.

We investigated the influence of false lumen (FL) status on the systemic inflammatory response triggered by acute aortic dissection (AAD) using cytokine profiling. The study included 44 patients with AAD. Patients were divided between those with a thrombosed FL (Group T, n  = 21) and those with a non-thrombosed FL (Group P, n  = 23). On-admission serum concentrations of 29 cytokines were compared between unmatched and propensity-score matched ( n  = 10 pairs) FL groups and a control group (non-ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm, Group C, n  = 20). Unmatched analysis showed 12 cytokines differed between groups and fell into three categories: Category A (increased expression in both FL groups: IL-6, IL-10, IL-15, G-CSF); Category B (increased expression only in Group P: IL-1Ra, IL-1β, IL-8, IL-12p70, GM-CSF); and Category C (others: IP-10, VEGF-A, eotaxin). The increases in Category A and Category B cytokines in Group T were attenuated, but not significantly, compared to their increases in Group P. Propensity-score matching analysis revealed a similar expression pattern with respect to all four Category A cytokines, four Category B cytokines (IL-1β, IL-1Ra, IL-12p70, and GM-CSF), and two Category C cytokines (IP-10 and VEGF-A). A robust inflammatory response occurs in patients with AAD, but the response is attenuated when the FL is thrombosed.

Objective Admission hyperglycaemia is recognized as a contributor to poor outcomes in patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the association between admission hyperglycaemia and in-hospital mortality in patients with hypertension and acute aortic dissection (AAD). Methods Patients diagnosed with hypertension and AAD between 1 January 2010 and 1 March 2023 were enrolled into this retrospective observational study, and divided into two groups based on admission blood glucose levels (BGA): normoglycemia (BGA < 7.8 mmol/L) and hyperglycaemia (BGA ≥ 7.8 mmol/L). The outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality, which was analysed using logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results In total, 1239 patients were included (comprising 954 [77%] male patients; mean age, 53.0 years; and median BGA, 6.1 mmol/L). Logistic regression analysis showed that in-hospital mortality was 2.53 times greater for patients with hyperglycaemia versus the normoglycaemia group (95% CI 1.68, 3.80). This significant association persisted after adjustments for potential confounders (adjusted OR 2.45 [95% CI 1.58, 3.85]). Restricted cubic spline analysis revealed that the relationship between BGA and mortality reached statistical significance at BGA > 6.1 mmol/L. Stratified analysis and sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of this relationship. Conclusion Admission hyperglycaemia correlated with an elevated risk of in-hospital mortality in patients with hypertension and AAD, particularly BGA > 6.1 mmol/L, indicating that BGA level may be useful in identifying patients who are at an elevated risk of all-cause mortality.