Results of surgical repair for dissection of the ascending aorta.

Abstract

Between 1970 and 1986, 40 patients had surgical treatment for dissection of the ascending aorta at the London Chest Hospital. The overall hospital mortality was 27.5%. Preoperative renal impairment and age greater than or equal to 60 years were both associated with a significantly increased hospital mortality. In the long term one patient was lost to follow up. There have been two late deaths among the remaining 28 patients (mean follow up 4.4 years). The functional state of the survivors is good, with only three having any cardiac disability.

Aortic Dissection

“…The results of a series reported from Stanford University in 1984 show considerable improvement with an operative mortality of 7% for acute proximal dissection, 11 % for chronic proximal dissection, 13% for acute distal dissection and 11 % for chronic distal dissection. 36 In a recent report, Crawford et a/2 3 have shown significantly improved and impressive results. They reported a 30-day mortality of 8% for acute and 8% for chronic dissections of the ascending aorta or arch for patients treated after 1985.…”

“…A report of 40 patients treated in one London hospital 3 between 1970 and 1986 showed an overall hospital mortality of 27.5% for replacement of the ascending aorta. This is very similar to the figure of 26% from the Cardiac Surgical Register for 1988 and for the preceding four years to 1984.…”