Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39227521›Full record

ArticleGeneral thoracic and cardiovascular surgery2025

Optimal size of Frozenix for true thoracic aneurysms: is downsizing an option?

Jun Hayashi, Shingo Nakai, Kimihiro Kobayashi, Yoshinori Kuroda, Eiichi Ohba, Masahiro Mizumoto, Atsushi Yamashita, Tomonori Ochiai, Tetsuro Uchida

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in General thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Mid-term morphological changes in Frozenix.Interdisciplinary cardiovascular and thoracic surgery · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Jun HayashiSecond Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, 2-2-2 Iidanishi, Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan. jhayashi88410-cvs@yahoo.co.jp.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6218-3082
Shingo NakaiSecond Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, 2-2-2 Iidanishi, Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan.
Kimihiro KobayashiSecond Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, 2-2-2 Iidanishi, Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan.
Yoshinori KurodaSecond Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, 2-2-2 Iidanishi, Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan.
Eiichi OhbaSecond Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, 2-2-2 Iidanishi, Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan.
Masahiro MizumotoSecond Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, 2-2-2 Iidanishi, Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan.
Atsushi YamashitaSecond Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, 2-2-2 Iidanishi, Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan.
Tomonori OchiaiSecond Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, 2-2-2 Iidanishi, Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan.
Tetsuro UchidaSecond Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, 2-2-2 Iidanishi, Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveDuring total arch replacement (TAR) using frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique with Frozenix for true thoracic aortic aneurysm (tTAA), oversized FET tends to be chosen similar to the endovascular devise selection. However, the oversized FET is considered a risk factor for intimal injury. The appropriate size selection of FET remains insufficiently understood.

methodsBetween October 2014 and March 2022, a total of 49 patients underwent TAR using Frozenix for tTAA. Out of 49 patients, four patients planned to staged surgery were excluded, 19 patients were operated on with an undersized Frozenix compared with the descending aorta (undersized FET group) and in 26 patients an equal or oversized Frozenix was used (oversized FET group). Clinical outcomes and postoperative diameter changes were investigated.

resultsIn-hospital mortality was 0%. The mean diameter of Frozenix and the descending aorta was 30.7 mm and 28.8 mm, respectively, in the oversized FET group, and 26.7 mm and 30.1 mm in the undersized FET group. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) demonstrated no endoleaks not only in the oversized FET group but also in the undersized FET group. CT also revealed that undersized FET had expanded more than the original diameter in all cases except for two, with an average of 2.47 ± 1.53 mm. Additionally, the descending aorta covered with Frozenix shrank in 10 patients (53%). Postoperative adverse aortic events were not observed.

conclusionsUndersized Frozenix tightly fit the descending aorta and resulted in complete sealing without endoleaks. Oversized FET is not strictly necessary considering the size-related adverse complications.

Indexed as

Aorta, ThoracicAortic Aneurysm, ThoracicBlood Vessel ProsthesisBlood Vessel Prosthesis ImplantationEndovascular ProceduresAgedAged, 80 and overFemaleHospital MortalityHumansMaleMiddle AgedProsthesis DesignRetrospective StudiesRisk FactorsTime FactorsEndoleakFrozen elephant trunkFrozenixSizingStent graftTotal arch replacement

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.