A case study of pulmonary embolism from the right atrial shunt after acute type a aortic dissection surgery

In the aortic root replacement procedure, bleeding from the proximal anastomosis is one of the gravest complications. A study showed that 5%-10% patients died of bleeding [1]. Cabrol first applied right atrial shunt to reduce bleeding in 1978 [2], in which a fistula between the aneurysmal sac and the right atrial appendage was created to drain oozing from the prosthesis. When bleeding from the proximal anastomosis was reduced, the thrombosis was formed, and then the shunt passage was closed up. Generally, the forming of thrombosis in the fistula is satisfied [3]-[5]. The shunt settled the problem of bleeding in the aortic root replacement procedure, and shortened the operating time significantly. The right atrial shunt-related complications haven’t been reported in more than thirty years. However, the patient in our case study was complicated with pulmonary embolism post operation, and there was very likelihood that the embolism was from this fistula.

A 46-year-old Chinese male with a history of hypertension presented with sudden syncope and came to his senses after ten minutes without headache. His respiratory rate was 21 breaths per min and the lungs were clear on auscultation. Cardiac examination revealed a grade II/6 diastolic murmur at the parasternal border. The pulse rate was 75 beats per min with normal sinus rhythm. The blood pressure was 109/76 mmHg in the left arm and 112/62 mmHg in the right arm. No remarkable abnormal was found in abdominal examination. Coagulation tests were normal. Arterial gas analysis on 3 L/min oxygen inspiration was pH 7.39, PaCO₂ 39.8 mmHg, PaO₂ 62.5 mmHg, SaO₂ 91.1%. A chest x-ray revealed widening of the mediastinum, a cardiothoracic ratio of 60%, and normal lung fields. Echocardiography revealed ascending aortic dissection and moderate aortic regurgitation with small to moderate pericardial effusion. Computed tomography scanning revealed ascending aortic to aortic arch dissecting aneurysm, in which the proximal part of right brachiocephalic trunk was also influenced. The left and right pulmonary arteries were normally enhanced with contrast medium. The patient underwent emergency operation for the thoracic aortic dissection, including Bentall procedure, interposition graft replacement of aortic arch, stented descending aorta with a shunt from a chamber around the aortic root to the right atrium. The patient was successfully weaned off bypass and transferred to the intensive care unit. The ratio of PaO₂ to FiO₂ after operation was 300. The haemodynamics was stable. However, the ratio of PaO₂ to FiO₂ fell to 150 gradually after operation. Two days after operation, the patient was conscious and cooperative, and his lung compliance and airway resistance were normal. But severe hypoxaemia ensued. In order to find out the cause of hypoxaemia, a chest computer temography was carried out but no evidence of atelectasis or pneumonia was shown. Pulmanary arteriography showed that an entire right lung field was defected without an extrinsic compression, which indicated embolism of the right pulmonary artery (Figure 1). Considering the stable haemodynamics and the danger of haemorrhage, embolectomy and thrombolytic therapy were not applied in the patient. We took the anticoagulant therapy with low molecular weight heparin and warfarin, which sustained INR at 2-3. Pulmanary arteriography was reexamined every 3-4 day. The images indicated that thrombus gradually dissolved (Figure 2). And the patient’s hypoxemia was improved. According to the effectiveness of treatment, we made sure that the entire right lung field defect in pulmanary arteriography was due to thromboembolism. Unfortunately, ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) occurred. Therefore, the tracheotomy tube was extubated until one month after operation. He survived for one year after discharging from the hospital without complications related to lung and heart.

Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is the most common aortic catastrophe and is associated with extremely high morbidity and mortality. The mortality rate of type A dissection approaches 1% per hour and 40% to 50% in 48 hours without surgical therapy [6],[7]. However, in-hospital surgical mortality for acute type A aortic dissection was about 25% [8],[9]. Pulmonary embolism is a relatively common cardiovascular emergency, which may lead to acute life-threatening but potentially reversible right ventricular failure by occluding the pulmonary arterial bed [10]. When the patient of type A acute aortic dissection is complicated with pulmonary embolism, the prognosis may be even worse.

In most cases pulmonary embolism is a consequence of deep vein thrombosis. The patient in our case report was a middle-aged man without history of bone fraction, deep vein thrombosis or long-term bed pre-operation. Both lower extremities of the patient weren’t edema post operation, and dopplers ultrasonic examination was negative. Therefore, all these clinical features didn’t show deep vein thrombosis.

In 1972 L. Buja described that severe obstruction of the right main pulmonary artery as a consequence of acute dissection of the ascending aorta, appearing to have resulted from compression of this artery [11]. Case reports were reported with imaging data or autopsy results later [12]-[15]. These reports confirmed that the dilated ascending aortic or the periaortic haematoma compressed the right pulmonary artery. So the blood flow in pulmonary artery was slow and it was susceptible to thrombosis. However, in this case, CT images revealed that there was a long way off between the ascending aorta and the right main pulmonary artery pre or post-operation (Figures 1 and 3).

After exclusion of other possible factors, the origin of pulmonary embolism in the patient was believed to be the thrombosis in the shunt chamber. In order to reduce the bleeding post operation, a chamber around the aortic root was created by suturing residual aortic piece and patch of autologous pericardium, then the chamber was communicated with the right atrium to drain the blood from the proximal anastomosis. Dopplers ultrasonic examination showed no flow in the chamber four days post operation. A conclusion was drawn that pulmonary embolism from the thrombus of shunt chamber could be a severe complication after the right atrial shunt in acute type A aortic dissection.

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal.

WJY contributed in pre-operative and post-operative care. She also collected data and participated directly in the writing of the manuscript. QJD contributed in reoperative, intraoperative and post-operative care. He also revised the article thoroughly and critically. HFC contributed in preoperative, intraoperative and post-operative care. AQD contributed in preoperative, intraoperative and post-operative care. All authors approved the final version to be published.