Long-Term Effectiveness of Operative Procedures for Stanford Type A Aortic Dissections

Abstract

Background: The object was to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of strategies for managing the aortic root and distal aorta in type A dissections. Methods: From 1990 to 1999, 50 patients (32 men (64.07%); 18 women, (36.0%); mean age 57.4 ± 11.1 years) underwent operation for ascending aortic dissection. Surgical strategies included aortic root replacement with a composite graft (21/50; 42.0%), valve replacement with supracoronary ascending aortic graft (3/50, 6%), and valve preservation or repair (26/50; 52.0%). Results: Overall hospital mortality rate was 18.0%. Follow-up was completed for 47 patients (94.0%) and ranged from 1 month to 10.5 years (mean 28.8 months). Actuarial survival for patients discharged from the hospital was 84% at 1 year, 75% at 5 years, and 66% at 10 years. There was no significant difference between the various procedures regarding mortality, neurological complications, long-term survival, and proximal reoperations. The ascending aorta alone was replaced in 8 of 50 patients (16%), ascending and hemiarch in 30 of 50 patients (60%), and arch and proximal descending aorta in 12 of 50 patients (24%). Hospital mortality (11.5%, 20.0%, and 16.7%, respectively; p > 0.05) and 5-and 10-year survival (p > 0.05) were not statistically dependent on the extension of the resection distally. Residual distal dissection was not associated with a decrease in late survival. With regard to emergency surgery (36/50) there was no significant difference in hospital mortality (p > 0.05) and 5-year survival (p > 0.05) between those who had undergone coronary angiography (19/36; 52.8%) on the day of surgery with those who had not (17/36; 47.2%). Conclusions: Preservation or repair of the aortic valve can be recommended in the majority of patients with type A dissection. Distal extension of the resection does not increase surgical risk. Residual distal dissection does not decrease late survival. Preoperative coronary angiography may not affect survival in patients undergoing emergency surgery

Diagnosis and Treatment of Abdominal and Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms Including the Ascending Aorta and the Aortic Arch

“…If this surgical treatment brings entire satisfaction in immediate postoperative course, the long term outcome remains controversial. Supracommissural replacement has been proven by some authors inasmuch as the freedom for reoperation for aortic valve dysfunction was elevated after 10 years of follow-up (up to 91%) [Casselman et al, 2000, Driever et al, 2004]. Yet, others underscore that the progression of the disease, regardless to a pre-existing aortic aneurysm, could lead to aortic insufficiency by the absence of coaptation between the three leaflets.…”