Intravenous amino acid therapy for kidney protection in cardiac surgery a protocol for a multi-centre randomized blinded placebo controlled clinical trial. The PROTECTION trial.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) is frequent in cardiac surgery patients. Its pathophysiology is complex and involves decreased renal perfusion. Preliminary clinical evidence in critically ill patients shows that amino acids infusion increases renal blood flow and may decrease the incidence and severity of AKI. We designed a study to evaluate the effectiveness of perioperative continuous infusion of amino acids in decreasing AKI. METHODS: This is a phase III, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Adults undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are included. Patients are randomly assigned to receive either continuous infusion of a balanced mixture of amino acids in a dose of 2 g/kg ideal body weight/day or placebo (balanced crystalloid solution) from the operating room up to start of renal replacement therapy (RRT), or ICU discharge, or 72 h after the first dose. The primary outcome is the incidence of AKI during hospital stay defined by KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes). Secondary outcomes include the need for, and duration of, RRT, mechanical ventilation; ICU and hospital length of stay; all-cause mortality at ICU, hospital discharge, 30, 90, and 180 days after randomization; quality of life at 180 days. Data will be analyzed in 3500 patients on an intention-to-treat basis. DISCUSSION: The trial is ongoing and currently recruiting. It will be one of the first randomized controlled studies to assess the relationship between amino acids use and kidney injury in cardiac surgery. If our hypothesis is confirmed, this practice could reduce morbidity in the studied population. STUDY REGISTRATION: This trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov with the trial identification NCT03709264 in October 2018.

Multiple hormonal and metabolic deficiency syndrome predicts outcome in heart failure: the T.O.S.CA. Registry.

AIMS: Recent evidence supports the occurrence of multiple hormonal and metabolic deficiency syndrome (MHDS) in chronic heart failure (CHF). However, no large observational study has unequivocally demonstrated its impact on CHF progression and outcome. The T.O.S.CA. (Trattamento Ormonale nello Scompenso CArdiaco; Hormone Treatment in Heart Failure) Registry has been specifically designed to test the hypothesis that MHDS affects morbidity and mortality in CHF patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: The T.O.S.CA. Registry is a prospective, multicentre, observational study involving 19 Italian centres. Thyroid hormones, insulin-like growth factor-1, total testosterone, dehydropianoandrosterone sulfate, insulin resistance, and the presence of diabetes were evaluated. A MHDS was defined as the presence of ≥2 hormone deficiencies (HDs). Primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular hospitalizations. Four hundred and eighty heart failure patients with ejection fraction ≤45% were enrolled. MHDS or diabetes was diagnosed in 372 patients (77.5%). A total of 271 events (97 deaths and 174 cardiovascular hospitalizations) were recorded, 41% in NO-MHDS and 62% in MHDS (P < 0.001). Median follow-up was of 36 months. MHDS was independently associated with the occurrence of the primary endpoint [hazard ratio 95% (confidence interval), 1.93 (1.37-2.73), P < 0.001] and identified a group of patients with a higher mortality [2.2 (1.28-3.83), P = 0.01], with a graded relation between HDs and cumulative events (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: MHDS is common in CHF and independently associated with increased all-cause mortality and cardiovascular hospitalization, representing a promising therapeutic target. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT023358017.

Myocardial expression of somatotropic axis, adrenergic signalling, and calcium handling genes in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

AIMS: Limited data are available regarding cardiac expression of molecules involved in heart failure (HF) pathophysiology. The majority of the studies have focused on end-stage HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) without comparison with healthy subjects, while no data are available with regard to HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). HFpEF is a condition whose multiple pathophysiological mechanisms are still not fully defined, with many proposed hypotheses remaining speculative due to limited access to human heart tissue. This study aimed at evaluating cardiac expression levels of key genes of interest in human biopsy samples from patients affected with HFrEF and HFpEF in order to possibly point out distinct phenotypes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Total RNA was extracted from left ventricular cardiac biopsies collected from stable patients with HFrEF (n = 6) and HFpEF (n = 7) and healthy subjects (n = 9) undergoing elective cardiac surgery for valvular replacement, mitral valvuloplasty, aortic surgery, or coronary artery bypass. Real-time PCR was performed to evaluate the mRNA expression levels of genes involved in somatotropic axis regulation [IGF-1, IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R), and GH receptor (GHR)], in adrenergic signalling (GRK2, GRK5, ADRB1, and ADRB2), in myocardial calcium handling (SERCA2), and in TNF-α. Patients with HFrEF and HFpEF showed reduced serum IGF-1 circulating levels when compared with controls (102 ± 35.6, 138 ± 11.5, and 160 ± 13.2 ng/mL, P < 0.001, respectively). At myocardial level, HFrEF showed significant decreased GHR and increased IGF-1R expressions when compared with HFpEF and controls (0.54 ± 0.27, 0.94 ± 0.25, and 0.84 ± 0.2, P < 0.05 and 1.52 ± 0.9, 1.06 ± 0.21, and 0.72 ± 0.12, P < 0.05, respectively), while no differences in the local expression of IGF-1 mRNA were detected among the groups (0.80 ± 0.45, 0.97 ± 0.18, and 0.63 ± 0.23, P = 0.09, respectively). With regard to calcium handling and adrenergic signalling, HFrEF displayed significant decreased levels of SERCA2 (0.19 ± 0.39, 0.82 ± 0.15, and 0.87 ± 0.32, P < 0.01) and increased levels of GRK2 (3.45 ± 2.94, 0.93 ± 0.12, and 0.80 ± 0.14, P < 0.01) and GRK5 (1.32 ± 0.70, 0.71 ± 0.14, and 0.77 ± 0.15, P < 0.05), while no significant difference was found in ADRB1 (0.66 ± 0.4, 0.83 ± 0.3, and 0.86 ± 0.4) and ADRB2 mRNA expression (0.65 ± 0.3, 0.66 ± 0.2, and 0.68 ± 0.1) when compared with HFpEF and controls. Finally, no changes in the local expression of TNF-α were detected among groups. CONCLUSIONS: Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and HFpEF patients with stable clinical condition display a distinct molecular milieu of genes involved in somatotropic axis regulation, calcium handling, and adrenergic derangement at a myocardial level. The unique opportunity to compare these results with a control group, as reference population, may contribute to better understand HF pathophysiology and to identify novel potential therapeutic targets that could be modulated to improve ventricular function in patients with HF.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation without systemic anticoagulation: a case-series in challenging conditions.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) use in patients with active bleedings or traumatic injuries may be challenging because of the risk of refractory haemorrhage related to systemic anticoagulation (SA). Technological advancements, especially heparin coated circuits, allowed ECMO application with a mild or no anticoagulation regimen in some circumstances. We herein report a limited case-series of ECMO application without anticoagulation. METHODS: ECMO without SA was established in 6 patients. Four of them received veno-arterial mode. Full heparin antagonization with protamine was provided in 3 post-cardiotomy cases. Tip-to-tip heparin-coated ECMO circuit was used in 4 patients, whereas heparin-coated tubing and no heparin-coated cannulas were applied for the remaining subjects. RESULTS: Mean duration of support and pump flow were 10±4 hours and 3.0±0.7 litres respectively. No ECMO related complication or oxygenator failure occurred, nor was clotting of the circuit observed at inspection. All patients were weaned from ECMO and half of them survived and were discharged. CONCLUSIONS: Short ECMO duration without anticoagulation was feasible and provided effective cardiopulmonary support in patients with active bleeding or high hemorrhagic risk. Further investigations are needed to evaluate its benefits or limitations for a protracted time, in a wider range of clinical conditions and in larger patient populations.

The procoagulant pattern of patients with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Few observations exist with respect to the pro-coagulant profile of patients with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Reports of thromboembolic complications are scarce but suggestive for a clinical relevance of the problem. OBJECTIVES: Prospective observational study aimed to characterize the coagulation profile of COVID-19 ARDS patients with standard and viscoelastic coagulation tests and to evaluate their changes after establishment of an aggressive thromboprophylaxis. METHODS: Sixteen patients with COVID-19 ARDS received a complete coagulation profile at the admission in the intensive care unit. Ten patients were followed in the subsequent 7 days, after increasing the dose of low molecular weight heparin, antithrombin levels correction, and clopidogrel in selected cases. RESULTS: At baseline, the patients showed a pro-coagulant profile characterized by an increased clot strength (CS, median 55 hPa, 95% interquartile range 35-63), platelet contribution to CS (PCS, 43 hPa; interquartile range 24-45), fibrinogen contribution to CS (FCS, 12 hPa; interquartile range 6-13.5) elevated D-dimer levels (5.5 µg/mL, interquartile range 2.5-6.5), and hyperfibrinogenemia (794 mg/dL, interquartile range 583-933). Fibrinogen levels were associated (R2  = .506, P = .003) with interleukin-6 values. After increasing the thromboprophylaxis, there was a significant (P = .001) time-related decrease of fibrinogen levels, D-dimers (P = .017), CS (P = .013), PCS (P = .035), and FCS (P = .038). CONCLUSION: The pro-coagulant pattern of these patients may justify the clinical reports of thromboembolic complications (pulmonary embolism) during the course of the disease. Further studies are needed to assess the best prophylaxis and treatment of this condition.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation without therapeutic anticoagulation in adults: A systematic review of the current literature.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is essential for the treatment of refractory cardiopulmonary failure. Its use may be complicated by worse haemorrhagic complications exacerbated by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-related therapeutic anticoagulation. Progressive technological advancements have made extracorporeal membrane oxygenation components less thrombogenic, potentially allowing its application with temporary avoidance of systemic anticoagulants. A systematic review of all the available experiences, reporting the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation without systemic anticoagulation in the published literature was performed. Only patient series were included, irrespective of the clinical indication. The survival, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation system-related dysfunction and complications rates, as well as in-hospital outcome, were analysed. Six studies were selected for the analysis. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was used in 84% of patients, while veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was applied in the remaining cases. Anticoagulation was avoided because of the high risk of bleeding after cardiac surgery (64%), active major bleeding (23%) or presence of severe traumatic injury (9%). Duration of support ranged from 0.3 to 1128 h. Heparin was antagonized by protamine in all the post-cardiotomy cases. Successfully extracorporeal membrane oxygenation weaning was achieved in 74% of the treated cases, with a hospital discharge of 58% of patients. Rates of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation malfunctioning due to clot formation and blood transfusion requirement varied remarkably in the published series. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation without systemic anticoagulation appears feasible in selected circumstances. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate actual aspects regarding extracorporeal membrane oxygenation system performance, related adverse events and benefits associated with this management.

Anti-Factor Xa-Based Anticoagulation during Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Potential Problems and Possible Solutions.

Choices for monitoring of unfractionated heparin (UFH) anticoagulation in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients include activated clotting time, activated partial thromboplastin time, reaction times of viscoelastic tests, and anti-factor Xa activity (between 0.3 and 0.7 IU/mL). Recent studies propose the anti-factor Xa to be the gold standard for monitoring UFH anticoagulation in ECMO. However, many extraneous factors combined question the utility of anti-factor Xa as the sole method of monitoring of UFH effects in ECMO. Anti-factor Xa is a chromogenic assay, which may be biased by the frequently elevated values of bilirubin and free hemoglobin in ECMO patients. The test may alternatively underestimate UFH effects in cases of low antithrombin values. More importantly, the anti-factor Xa assay is a plasma-based test which does not take into account the role of platelets and fibrinogen in forming a stable clot. Thrombocytopenia and platelet dysfunction are common features in ECMO patients, and underestimating their role may lead to over-anticoagulation, should only anti-factor Xa guiding be used to adjust the UFH dose. Conversely, fibrinogen is an acute phase protein, and some patients may experience high levels of fibrinogen during the ECMO course. In this case, an UFH monitoring based on anti-factor Xa is insensitive to this condition, although it may potentially be associated with thrombotic complications. Finally, the generally suggested range of 0.3 to 0.7 IU/mL is a somewhat arbitrary estimate, based on the desired range for treating and preventing thrombotic events in non-ECMO patients. In conclusion, anti-factor Xa may offer useful information on the real effects of UFH only when combined with a whole blood test capable of assessing the relative contribution of platelets and fibrinogen to clot formation.

Bloodstream infections during post-cardiotomy extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: Incidence, risk factors, and outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation after heart surgery is a relatively common procedure. It is easily applicable but associated with a number of complications, including bloodstream infections. The aim of this study is to determine the current rate and the risk factors related to bloodstream infections acquired during post-cardiotomy veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. METHODS: Single-center retrospective study. From the overall population receiving any kind of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation from March 2013 through December 2017, the post-cardiotomy patient population was extracted, with a final sample of 92 veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenations. The risk of developing bloodstream infections as a function of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation exposure was analyzed with appropriate statistical analyses, including a Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 14 (15.2%) patients developed a bloodstream infection during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or within the first 48 h after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation removal. The total extracorporeal membrane oxygenation duration in the population was 567 days, and the incidence of bloodstream infections was 24.7 bloodstream infections/1000 extracorporeal membrane oxygenation days. There was a progressive increase in the cumulative hazard ratio during the first 7 days, reaching a value of 20% on day 7; from day 7 and day 15, the hazard ratio remained stable, with a second increase after day 15. The independent risk factors associated with bloodstream infections were adult age, pre-implantation serum total bilirubin level, and the amount of chest drain blood loss. DISCUSSION: Infections acquired during veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation are common. Identify the risk factors that may improve strategies for treatment and prevention.

Presenting Systolic Blood Pressure and Outcomes in Patients With Acute Aortic Dissection.

BACKGROUND: Presenting systolic blood pressure (SBP) is a powerful predictor of mortality in many cardiovascular settings, including acute coronary syndromes, cardiogenic shock, and acute heart failure. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the association of presenting SBP with in-hospital outcomes, specifically all-cause mortality, in acute aortic dissection (AAD). METHODS: The study included 6,238 consecutive patients (4,167 with type A and 2,071 with type B AAD) enrolled in the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection. Patients were stratified in 4 groups according to presenting SBP: SBP >150, SBP 101 to 150, SBP 81 to 100, or SBP ≤80 mm Hg. RESULTS: The relationship between presenting SBP and in-hospital mortality displayed a J-curve association, with significantly higher mortality rates in patients with very high SBP (26.3% for SBP >180 mm Hg in type A AAD, 13.3% for SBP >200 mm Hg in type B AAD; p = 0.005 and p = 0.018, respectively) as well as in those with SBP ≤100 mm Hg (29.9% in type A, 22.4% in type B; p = 0.033 and p = 0.015, respectively). This relationship was mainly from increased rates of in-hospital complications (acute renal failure, coma, and mesenteric ischemia/infarction in patients with SBP >150 mm Hg; stroke, coma, cardiac tamponade, myocardial ischemia/infarction, and acute renal failure in patients with SBP ≤80 mm Hg). Notably, presenting SBP ≤80 mm Hg was independently associated with in-hospital mortality in both type A (p = 0.001) and type B AAD (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Presenting SBP showed a clear J-curve relationship with in-hospital mortality in patients with AAD. Although this association was related to increased rates of comorbid conditions at the edges of the curve, SBP ≤80 mm Hg was an independent correlate of in-hospital mortality.

Randomized, multicenter trial of lateral Trendelenburg versus semirecumbent body position for the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

PURPOSE: The lateral Trendelenburg position (LTP) may hinder the primary pathophysiologic mechanism of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). We investigated whether placing patients in the LTP would reduce the incidence of VAP in comparison with the semirecumbent position (SRP). METHODS: This was a randomized, multicenter, controlled study in invasively ventilated critically ill patients. Two preplanned interim analyses were performed. Patients were randomized to be placed in the LTP or the SRP. The primary outcome, assessed by intention-to-treat analysis, was incidence of microbiologically confirmed VAP. Major secondary outcomes included mortality, duration of mechanical ventilation, and intensive care unit length of stay. RESULTS: At the second interim analysis, the trial was stopped because of low incidence of VAP, lack of benefit in secondary outcomes, and occurrence of adverse events. A total of 194 patients in the LTP group and 201 in the SRP group were included in the final intention-to-treat analysis. The incidence of microbiologically confirmed VAP was 0.5% (1/194) and 4.0% (8/201) in LTP and SRP patients, respectively (relative risk 0.13, 95% CI 0.02-1.03, p = 0.04). The 28-day mortality was 30.9% (60/194) and 26.4% (53/201) in LTP and SRP patients, respectively (relative risk 1.17, 95% CI 0.86-1.60, p = 0.32). Likewise, no differences were found in other secondary outcomes. Six serious adverse events were described in LTP patients (p = 0.01 vs. SRP). CONCLUSIONS: The LTP slightly decreased the incidence of microbiologically confirmed VAP. Nevertheless, given the early termination of the trial, the low incidence of VAP, and the adverse events associated with the LTP, the study failed to prove any significant benefit. Further clinical investigation is strongly warranted; however, at this time, the LTP cannot be recommended as a VAP preventive measure. CLINICALTRIALS. GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT01138540.

Coagulation monitoring in postcardiotomy ECMO: conventional tests, point-of-care, or both?

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the association of the coagulation point-of-care (POC) tests activated clotting time (ACT) and thromboelastography-derived parameters reaction time (R-time) and maximum amplitude (MA) with the standard coagulation tests during postcardiotomy extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), finding adequate values predictive for the target range of the standard coagulation tests. METHODS: Thirty-one patients undergoing postcardiotomy ECMO with heparin anticoagulation were analyzed. Paired data of the POC tests and standard coagulation tests were analyzed for association and positive predictive value (PPV). RESULTS: The following target range values for standard coagulation test were settled: activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) 50-70 seconds; international normalized ratio (INR) 1.5-2.5; platelet count >50,000 cells/µL; fibrinogen >150 mg/dL. The best predictor for the desired aPTT range was an ACT of 162-185 seconds. A combination of an ACT<162 seconds with an R-time <10 minutes had an 83% PPV for a short aPTT. A combination of an ACT>185 seconds with an R-time >27 minutes had a 71% PPV for a long aPTT. No predictive ability of the POC tests was found in terms of the optimal INR range. An MA value <41 mm had a 75% PPV for a low platelet count or fibrinogen level. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic-therapeutic algorithms based on coagulation POC-tests may be useful to manage anticoagulation during postcardiotomy ECMO. The best PPV for prompting therapeutic decision is provided by a combination of ACT and visco-elastic tests.

Modern ECMO: why an ECMO programme in a tertiary care hospital.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) represents a useful tool to support the lungs and the heart when all conventional therapies failed and the patients are at risk of death. While the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) collects data from different institutions that joined the Registry and reports overall outcome, individual centres often collide with results below expectations, either in adults and in paediatric population. Some authors suggest that poor outcomes could be overcome with a programme dedicated to ECMO, with specialized professionals adequately trained on ECMO and with a consistent number of procedures. In 2012, The IRCCS PSD ECMO Programme was instituted with the specific aim of achieving better results than hitherto obtained. After only 1 year of activity, the results justified the programme, with a better survival rate for each group investigated, particularly in adults, but surprisingly in paediatrics too, where the results were better than what reported by ELSO. Although the number of patients treated with ECMO is still growing up, the effects of the ECMO programme continue to exert a positive action on outcome even now. The present article reports data on survival, blood loss, and blood consumption during ECMO in the last few years at our institution.

Acute Kidney Injury and Hemodilution During Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Changing Scenario.

BACKGROUND: Severe hemodilution during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is a risk factor for acute kidney injury (AKI) after heart operations. Many improvements to CPB technology have been proposed during the past decade to limit the hemodilution-related AKI risk. The present study is a retrospective analysis of the relationship between hemodilution during CPB and AKI in cardiac operations in the setting of different interventions applied over 14 years. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 16,790 consecutive patients undergoing heart operations from 2000 to 2013. Various risk factors for AKI were collected and analyzed, together with a number of interventions as possible modifiers of the relationship between a nadir hematocrit (HCT) value during CPB and AKI. RESULTS: The relationship between the nadir HCT value during CPB and AKI was confirmed in a multivariable analysis, with the relative risk of AKI increasing by 7% per percentage point of decrease of the nadir HCT value during CPB. The relative risk of AKI decreased by 8% per year of observation (p = 0.001) despite a significantly increased risk of AKI (p = 0.001). A sensitivity analysis based on differences before and after different interventions demonstrated a beneficial effect of the application of goal-directed perfusion (aimed at preserving oxygen delivery during CPB), with a reduction in the AKI rate from 5.8% to 3.1% (p = 0.001). A policy restricting angiographic examination on the day of operation was also useful (reduction of AKI rate from 4.8% to 3.7%; p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: A bundle of interventions mainly aimed at limiting the renal impact of hemodilution during CPB is effective in reducing the AKI rate.

Heparin-like effect in postcardiotomy extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients.

INTRODUCTION: Unfractionated heparin (UFH) is the anticoagulant of choice for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), but bivalirudin can be used as an alternative. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the existence of a heparin-like effect (HLE) during heparin-free ECMO. METHODS: This is a retrospective study on patients treated with ECMO and receiving bivalirudin as the sole anticoagulant. Thromboelastography (TEG) tests with and without heparinase were recorded during the ECMO duration. A total of 41 patients (22 pediatrics and 19 adults) treated with ECMO after cardiac surgery procedures and receiving only bivalirudin-based anticoagulation were studied. Based on the presence of a different reaction time (R-time) between the TEG test with heparinase or without heparinase we defined the presence of a HLE. Survival to hospital discharge, liver failure, sepsis, bleeding and transfusion rate were analyzed for association with HLE with univariate tests. RESULTS: HLE was detected in 56.1% of the patients. R-times were significantly shorter in tests done with heparinase versus without heparinase during the first seven days on ECMO. Patients with HLE had a significantly (P = 0.046) higher rate of sepsis (30%) than patients without HLE (5.6%) at a Pearson's chi-square test. CONCLUSIONS: A heparin-like effect is common during ECMO, and most likely due to a release of heparinoids from the glycocalyx and the mast cells, as a consequence of sepsis or of the systemic inflammatory reaction triggered by the contact of blood with foreign surfaces.

Medical management in type B aortic dissection.

Medical management is generally the preferred treatment for uncomplicated type B acute aortic dissection cases. It is often centered on the use of antihypertensive agents, which alleviates hemodynamic stress on the damaged aortic wall. Methods of medical management and drug selection are still based mainly on personal experience, expert opinion and historical observational studies as randomized controlled studies are lacking. Guidelines from European (ESC), American (ACC/AHA) and Asian (Japan) societies in the last decade have made recommendations on use of medications, but also reaffirmed the lack of evidence for therapeutic approaches and targeted medical management. More recent evidence suggests that there may be type-selective benefits for antihypertensive medications. Here, we will discuss the present understanding of medical management of acute aortic dissection.