Sizing the Frozen Elephant Trunk Based on Aortic Pathology and the Importance of Pre-Operative Imaging

Abstract

The frozen elephant trunk is a formidable tool for the aortovascular surgeon. An appreciation of how to size the graft in different pathologies is key in achieving optimal results. Herein, we demonstrate worked examples of how imaging can be used to plan for a frozen elephant trunk and discuss the nuisances and uncertainties of sizing using three index cases: Type A aortic dissection, distal thoracic aortic aneurysm and chronic dissection.

Keywords

• aortic dissection
• frozen elephant trunk
• aortic aneurysm