The proximal extension of acute type A aortic dissection is associated with ascending aortic wall degeneration.

Background: Aortic root involvement during acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) may depend on ascending aortic wall degeneration. Surgical decision-making for extended resection of the aortic root is clinically made without histopathology. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the degree of degeneration of the ascending aortic wall found in patients with ATAAD is associated with the aortic root involvement. Methods: Collectively, 141 consecutive patients undergoing ATAAD surgery at Tampere University Heart Hospital were investigated. The ascending aortic wall resected in surgery was processed for 11 different variables that describe medial and adventitial degeneration. In addition, atherosclerosis and inflammation were separately evaluated. Patients undergoing aortic root replacement were compared with those with supracoronary reconstruction of the ascending aorta with/without aortic valve surgery (root-sparing surgery) during a mean 4.9-year follow-up. Results: Aortic root replacement together with the ascending aortic replacement was performed in 39% of the patients (n=55). The mean age for all patients was 65 years [standard deviation (SD 13)]. Many patients with aortic root replacement had moderate to severe aortic valve regurgitation (85.5%). Most of the patients with aortic root-sparing surgery included a supracoronary tube prosthesis (89.5%), while nine patients also had aortic valve replacement. The degree of mucoid extracellular matrix accumulation was more prominent in patients with aortic root replacement compared to patients with root-sparing surgery (2.1 SD 0.4 vs. 1.9 SD 0.4, P=0.04, respectively). During follow-up, there were 52 deaths among patients (log rank P=0.79). Conclusions: Histopathology of the ascending aorta during ATAAD reveals distinctive aortic wall degeneration in patients with aortic root involvement vs. not. The degree of mucoid extracellular matrix accumulation assessed postoperatively is associated with the choice of surgical procedure in many patients.

Smaller Hospital Size is Associated With Higher Mortality in Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection.

BACKGROUND: Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection (TAAD) is associated with high in-hospital mortality and the need for immediate surgical intervention. Larger hospital size may be associated with better patient care and surgical outcomes. This study aimed to examine the effect of hospital size on TAAD outcomes. METHOD: Patients who underwent TAAD repair were identified in National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from Q4 2015-2020. NIS stratifies hospital size into small, medium, and large based on the number of hospital beds, geographical location, and the teaching status of the hospitals. Patients admitted to small/medium and large hospitals were stratified into two cohorts. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to compare in-hospital outcomes, adjusted for demographics, comorbidity, primary payer status, and hospital characteristics including procedural volume. RESULTS: There were 1106 and 3752 TAAD admitted to small/medium and large hospitals, respectively. Among patients admitted to small/medium hospitals, there was higher mortality (17.27% vs 14.37%, aOR = 1.32, P < 0.01), but shorter length of stay (P < 0.01) and lower cost (P = 0.03) compared to larger hospitals. There was no difference in morbidities. CONCLUSIONS: Marked higher mortality is associated with admission to smaller hospitals among patients with TAAD, which may in turn decrease the average hospital stay and cost. Given that a significant percentage of patients are already being transferred out of the initial hospital and small/medium hospital is associated with higher mortality, centralization of care in centers of excellence may decrease the high mortality associated with TAAD.

Complicated type B aortic dissection in a pregnant woman with Marfan syndrome.

Marfan syndrome is a rare inherited connective tissue disorder that can result in significant morbidity and mortality. We report a case of a 29-year-old pregnant woman presenting with an acute type B aortic dissection. Owing to cardiopulmonary decompensation and intestinal malperfusion, she underwent an emergency cesarean section followed by left subclavian to carotid transposition and thoracic endovascular aortic repair that was complicated by a retrograde type A aortic dissection and was managed surgically. Molecular testing confirmed the diagnosis of Marfan syndrome. This case highlights that multidisciplinary and hybrid management of challenging cases of acute aortic syndromes can result in a favorable outcome.

The Pan-Immune Inflammation Value at Admission Predicts Postoperative in-hospital Mortality in Patients with Acute Type A Aortic Dissection.

Purpose: The inflammatory response of the body is intimately linked to the quick onset and high in-hospital mortality of Acute Type A Aortic Dissection (ATAAD). The purpose of the study was to examine the connection between in-hospital mortality in patients with ATAAD upon admission and the Pan-Immune-Inflammation Value (PIV). Patients and Methods: 308 patients who were diagnosed with ATAAD between September 2018 and October 2021 at Fujian Provincial Center for Cardiovascular Medicine had their clinical data retrospectively examined. PIV was assessed at the time of study population admission, with in-hospital mortality serving as the main outcome measure. Patients were divided into two groups, the high PIV group (PIV > 1807.704) and the low PIV group (PIV < 1807.704), based on the PIV ROC curve and the best threshold of the Youden index. The clinical results of the two groups were then compared. Results: Among ATAAD patients, postoperative in-hospital mortality was higher in the high PIV group (54.7% vs 10.6%, P < 0.001), and the high PIV group had significantly higher rates of postoperative acute kidney injury, acute liver insufficiency, and gastrointestinal hemorrhage (P < 0.05). Additionally, the high PIV group's ICU stays lasted longer than the low PIV group's (P < 0.05). The results of multifactorial logistic regression analysis, which controlled for other variables, indicated that the mechanical ventilation time (OR = 1.860, 95% CI: 1.437, 2.408; P < 0.001), the high PIV group (> 1807.704) (OR = 1.939, 95% CI: 1.257, 2.990; P = 0.003), the cardiopulmonary bypass time (OR = 1.011, 95% CI: 1.004, 1.018; P = 0.002), and the white blood cell count (OR = 1.188, 95% CI: 1.054, 1.340; P = 0.005) were independent risk factors for postoperative in-hospital mortality in ATAAD patients. Conclusion: Postoperative death in ATAAD patients was independently predicted by high PIV levels at admission. Patients should be informed about their preoperative inflammatory status and actively participate in prompt clinical decision-making and treatment.

Cerebral Protection With Deep Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest During Total Arch Replacement Using the Arch-First Technique for Acute Aortic Dissection.

OBJECTIVES: Stroke remains a serious complication after total arch replacement (TAR). To prevent this, deep hypothermia is commonly employed during TAR. We evaluated the effectiveness of cerebral protection using deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) during TAR with the arch-first technique, focusing particularly on patients with acute aortic dissection (AAD). METHODS: This retrospective study included 109 consecutive patients with AAD who underwent emergency TAR using the arch-first technique under DHCA, and 147 patients with non-ruptured aneurysm who underwent scheduled TAR using the same technique between October 2009 and July 2022. We reviewed these patients for major adverse events, including stroke and 30-day mortality after surgery. We also analyzed the impact of clinical variables and anatomical features on the occurrence of newly developed stroke after TAR in patients with AAD. RESULTS: A newly developed stroke after TAR occurred in 11 (10.1%) patients with AAD. These were attributed to embolism in eight patients, malperfusion in two patients (including one who had been comatose), and low output syndrome in one patient. A stroke occurred in 3 (2.0%) patients with aneurysm, all due to embolism (P = 0.005). The DHCA time was 37 ± 7 minutes for patients with AAD and 36 ± 6 minutes for patients with aneurysm (P = 0.122). The 30-day mortality rate was 10 (9.2%) for patients with AAD and 2 (1.4%) for patients with aneurysm (P = 0.003). In our multivariable analysis, arch vessel dissection with a patent false lumen (double-barreled dissection) was the only significant predictor of newly developed stroke after TAR for AAD (odds ratio, 33.02; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with aneurysm undergoing TAR using the arch-first technique under DHCA experienced significantly better outcomes, in terms of newly developed stroke and 30-day mortality, than those with AAD. Cerebral protection with DHCA during TAR using the arch-first technique continues to be a viable option. Newly developed stroke in patients undergoing TAR for AAD appears to be associated with air emboli deriving from the residual dissection with a patent false lumen in the repaired arch vessels.

Aortic diameter remodeling after frozen elephant trunk as a predictor of early outcomes in thoracoabdominal aortic repair.

OBJECTIVE: Patients who underwent previous frozen elephant trunk (FET) implantation for Stanford type A aortic dissection (AAAD) remain at risk for secondary intervention due to unsuccessful distal aortic remodeling (DAR). We aimed to investigate the impact of DAR on early outcomes in patients who underwent two-stage thoracoabdominal aortic (TA) repair. METHODS: One hundred and six patients who previously underwent FET implantation and TA repair between October 2014 and December 2022 were enrolled in this study. The extent of DAR was evaluated, including aortic diameter, area ratio of the false lumen (FL)/aortic lumen (AoL) and patency of the FL at three levels of the aorta. Logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the risk factors for early outcomes. RESULTS: The Ao diameter at the distal FET was significantly larger in patients who died early than in surviving patients (79.19±22.89 mm vs. 46.84±19.17 mm, adjusted P = 0.001). The optimal cutoff value for the Ao diameter at the distal FET was 60 mm. Patients with an Ao diameter ≥ 60 mm at the distal FET had worse early outcomes (P <0.05), including prolonged intubation, early death and postoperative complications. The Ao diameter at the distal FET was identified as a significant risk factor for early death in patients undergoing TA repair. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing TA repair with an Ao diameter ≥ 60 mm at the distal FET have worse early outcomes. Moreover, an Ao diameter at the distal FET is a significant risk factor for early death in patients undergoing TA repair.

Bleeding is associated with severely impaired outcomes in surgery for acute type a aortic dissection.

Background. Surgery for acute type A aortic dissection confers a risk for significant bleeding. We analyzed the impact of massive bleeding on complications after surgery for acute type A aortic dissection. Methods. Patients undergoing surgery for acute type A aortic dissection from the retrospective multicenter Nordic Consortium for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection (NORCAAD) database 2005-2014 were eligible. Massive bleeding was defined according to the Universal Definition of Perioperative Bleeding. The primary outcome measure was early mortality and secondary outcome measures were perioperative stroke, mechanical ventilation more than 48 h, new-onset dialysis, and intensive care unit stay. Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for differences in covariates. Results. Nine hundred ninety-seven patients were included, of whom 403 (40.4%) had massive bleeding. In the propensity score-matched cohort (344 pairs), patients with massive bleeding had higher 30-day mortality (17.2 versus 7.6%, p < .001), mechanical ventilation more than 48 h (52.8 versus 22.6%, p < .001), perioperative stroke (24.3 versus 14.8%, p = .002), new-onset dialysis (22.5 versus 4.9%, p < .001), and longer intensive care unit stay (6 versus 3 days, p < .001), compared with patients without massive bleeding. Risk factors for massive bleeding were previous cardiac surgery, preoperative clopidogrel or ticagrelor therapy, DeBakey type I dissection, and localized or generalized malperfusion. Conclusions. Massive bleeding in surgery for acute type A aortic dissection is associated with a markedly increased risk for severe complications as well as early death. Further improvement of surgical technique and pharmacological optimization of coagulation is paramount to possibly improve outcomes in acute type A aortic dissection repair.

Transportation model for acute aortic dissection: implications for reduced treatment centres.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present study was to model the effects of a reduced number of treatment centres for acute type A aortic dissection on preclinical transportation distance and time. We examined whether treatment in selected centres in Germany would be implementable with respect to time to treatment. METHODS: For our transportation model, the number of aortic dissections and respective mean annual volume were collected from the annual quality reports (2015-2017) of all German cardiac surgery centres (n = 76). For each German postal code, the fastest and shortest routes to the nearest centre were calculated using Google Maps. Furthermore, we analysed data from the German Federal Statistical Office from January 2005 to December 2015 to identify all surgically treated patients with acute type A aortic dissection (n = 14 102) and examined the relationship between in-hospital mortality and mean annual volume of medical centres. RESULTS: Our simulation showed a median transportation distance of 27.13 km and transportation time of 35.78 min for 76 centres. Doubling the transportation time (70 min) would allow providing appropriate care with only 12 medical centres. Therefore, a mean annual volume of >25 should be obtained. High mean annual volume was associated with significantly lower in-hospital mortality rates (P < 0.001). A significantly lower mortality rate of 14% was observed (P < 0.001) if a mean annual volume of 30 was achieved. CONCLUSIONS: Operationalizing the volume-outcome relationship with fewer but larger medical centres results in lower mortality, which outweighs the disadvantage of longer transportation time.

Surgical management of anomalous aortic right coronary artery discovered during acute type A aortic dissection: a case report.

Anomalous aortic origin of the right coronary artery (RCA) is a rare anatomic anomaly that is present in ~1% of the general population, and is often discovered incidentally through imaging performed for another purpose. Despite being an uncommon phenomenon, aberrant right coronary arterial origins can have devastating manifestations in half of affected patients. These include myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, heart failure, syncope, and sudden cardiac death secondary to ischemia of the cardiac tissue. This report describes a case of a 48-year-old female patient that was initially found to have ST-elevation myocardial infarction. During cardiac catheterization, the patient was discovered to have a type A aortic dissection. Cardiothoracic surgery was consulted, and she was immediately transferred to the operating room for repair. During the procedure, an anomalous RCA was discovered with its origin in the dissected tissue, which was initially ligated and then bypassed using greater saphenous vein graft.

Reoperative extended arch repair for acute type A aortic dissection after previous cardiac surgery: insights from a relatively young redo series.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of previous cardiac surgery (PCS) on clinical outcomes after reoperative extended arch repair for acute type A aortic dissection. METHODS: This study included 37 acute type A aortic dissection patients with PCS (PCS group) and 992 without PCS (no-PCS group). Propensity score-matching yielded a subgroup of 36 pairs (1:1). In-hospital outcomes and mid-term survival were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The PCS group was older (56.7 ± 14.2 vs 52.2 ± 12.6 years, P = 0.036) and underwent a longer cardiopulmonary bypass (median, 212 vs 183 min, P < 0.001) compared with the no-PCS group. Operative death occurred in 88 (8.6%) patients, exhibiting no significant difference between groups (13.5% vs 8.4%, P = 0.237). Major postoperative morbidity was observed in 431 (41.9%) patients, also showing no difference between groups (45.9% vs 41.7%, P = 0.615). Moreover, the multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that PCS was not significantly associated with operative mortality (adjusted odds ratio 2.58, 95% confidence interval 0.91-7.29, P = 0.075) or major morbidity (adjusted odds ratio 1.92, 95% confidence interval 0.88-4.18, P = 0.101). The 3-year cumulative survival rates were 71.1% for the PCS group and 83.9% for the no-PCS group (log-rank P = 0.071). Additionally, Cox regression indicated that PCS was not significantly associated with midterm mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 1.40, 95% confidence interval 0.44-4.41, P = 0.566). After matching, no significant differences were found between groups in terms of operative mortality (P > 0.999), major morbidity (P > 0.999) and midterm survival (P = 0.564). CONCLUSIONS: No significant differences were found between acute type A aortic dissection patients with PCS and those without PCS regarding in-hospital outcomes and midterm survival after extended arch repair.

Clinical usefulness of psoas muscle thickness for the prognosis of acute type A aortic dissection patients undergoing total arch replacement.

Background: Sarcopenia has emerged as a comprehensive predictor of mortality in diseased populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic and predictive value of psoas muscle thickness/height (PMTH) measurement in patients with acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD). Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients (from January 2020 to December 2020) who underwent AAAD surgery at our institution was conducted. PMTH, as a measure of sarcopenia, was measured by preoperative computed tomography. Patients were classified into two groups according to the cut-off value of PMTH. To balance potential bias, a 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) with a caliper 0.05 was conducted. Results: PSM analysis created 68 pairs of patients. In short-term outcomes, a lower PMTH value was strongly correlated with higher in-hospital mortality and renal failure. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis suggested that sarcopenia had good predictive capabilities in in-hospital mortality, with the area under curve (AUC) of 0.81 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.64-0.97]. During a median follow-up of 37 months, 24 (19.4%) patients died, including 16 in low PMTH group and 8 in high PMTH group. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated the sarcopenia significantly affected long-term survival [log-rank P=0.02; hazard ratio (HR) 2.53 (95% CI: 1.13-5.66)]. Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that sarcopenia was an independent predictor for decreased survival [HR 2.73 (95% CI: 1.15-8.78)]. Conclusions: Sarcopenia defined from the PMTH may be a useful tool for predicting short- and long-term mortality in patients after AAAD surgery.

The safety and prognostic evaluation of subsequent aortic surgery after thoracic endovascular aortic repair: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is a widely employed clinical procedure for treating various aortic pathologies. However, some patients require subsequent surgical interventions post-TEVAR, particularly due to life-threatening complications such as aortic dissection. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and prognosis associated with additional aortic surgeries following TEVAR. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 21 patients who underwent aortic surgery after TEVAR at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital between September 2016 and August 2020. By compiling and reviewing perioperative data, we assessed surgical-related complications and survival rates. Results: Among the 21 patients, 95.2% were male, with an average age of 53 years. Preoperative comorbidities included hypertension in 15 individuals, abdominal aortic aneurysm in one patient, and coronary heart disease in two patients. The primary complications of TEVAR were stent leakage and retrograde aortic dissection, with the latter being the predominant type in subsequent aortic surgeries. The mean duration of aortic clamping during surgery was 130.0 minutes, with a deep hypothermic circulatory arrest time of 8.5 minutes. Postoperatively, two patients suffered in-hospital mortality, one developed renal dysfunction, four required re-entry into the operating room for further treatment, and the average length of hospital stay was 20 days. Following discharge, 14.3% of patients experienced complications, with central nervous system symptoms being the most prevalent. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated a 5-year survival rate of 85.7%. Conclusions: Aortic surgical intervention following TEVAR is a safe therapeutic approach that can improve patient prognosis. However, meticulous management of the perioperative period is crucial for reducing the risk of complications and improving survival rates. This study provides valuable insights into aortic surgery post-TEVAR, but large-scale research is needed to validate these findings.

Development of a machine learning-based model to predict major adverse events after surgery for type A aortic dissection complicated by malnutrition.

Objective: This study aims to develop a predictive model for the risk of major adverse events (MAEs) in type A aortic dissection (AAAD) patients with malnutrition after surgery, utilizing machine learning (ML) algorithms. Methods: We retrospectively collected clinical data from AAAD patients with malnutrition who underwent surgical treatment at our center. Through least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis, we screened for preoperative and intraoperative characteristic variables. Based on the random forest (RF) algorithm, we constructed a ML predictive model, and further evaluated and interpreted this model. Results: Through LASSO regression analysis and univariate analysis, we ultimately selected seven feature variables for modeling. After comparing six different ML models, we confirmed that the RF model demonstrated the best predictive performance in this dataset. Subsequently, we constructed a model using the RF algorithm to predict the risk of postoperative MAEs in AAAD patients with malnutrition. The test set results indicated that this model has excellent predictive efficacy and clinical applicability. Finally, we employed the Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) method to further interpret the predictions of this model. Conclusion: We have successfully constructed a risk prediction model for postoperative MAEs in AAAD patients with malnutrition using the RF algorithm, and we have interpreted the model through the SHAP method. This model aids clinicians in early identification of high-risk patients for MAEs, thereby potentially mitigating adverse clinical outcomes associated with malnutrition.

Peripheral artery disease is an independent risk factor for higher in-hospital mortality in Stanford type A aortic dissection repair.

BACKGROUND: Type A aortic dissection (TAAD) is an emergent condition that warrants immediate intervention. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a prevalent disease associated with worse outcomes in various cardiovascular procedures. However, it remains unclear whether PAD influences outcomes of TAAD repair. This study aimed to undertake a population-based analysis to assess impact of PAD on in-hospital outcomes following TAAD repair. METHODS: Patients underwent TAAD repair were identified in National Inpatient Sample from Q4 2015 to 2020. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to compare in-hospital outcomes between patients with and without PAD, adjusted for demographics, socioeconomic status, primary payer status, hospital characteristics, comorbidities, and transfer/admission status. RESULTS: 1525 patients with PAD and 2757 non-PAD patients underwent TAAD. PAD patients had higher mortality (18.62% vs 13.17%, aOR = 1.287, p = .01), AKI (51.41% vs 47.48%, aOR = 1.222, p < .01), infection (10.69% vs 8.02%, aOR = 1.269, p = .03), and vascular complication (7.28% vs 3.77%, aOR = 1.846, p < .01) but lower risks of pericardial complications (15.21% vs 19.95%, aOR = 0.696, p < .01). In addition, patients with PAD had longer time from admission to operation (1.29 ± 3.95 vs 0.70 ± 2.09 days, p < .01), longer LOS (14.92 ± 13.98 vs 13.41 ± 11.66 days, p = .01), and higher hospital charge (499,064 ± 519,405 vs 409,754 ± 405,663 US dollars, p < .01). CONCLUSION: PAD was independently associated with worse outcome after TAAD repair. The elevated mortality rate could be attributed to the delay in surgery, which may be related to preoperative peripheral malperfusion syndrome that is common in PAD patients. A balance between preoperative management and immediate TAAD repair might be essential to prevent the increased mortality risk from treatment delays among PAD patients.

Postoperative stroke in acute type A aortic dissection: incidence, outcomes, and perioperative risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in surgical techniques, the incidence of stroke following acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) repair remains markedly high, with substantial immediate and long-term adverse outcomes such as elevated mortality, extended hospital stays, and persistent neurological impairments. The complexity of managing ATAAD extends beyond the operation itself, highlighting a crucial gap in research concerning modifiable preoperative patient conditions and perioperative anesthetic management strategies. OBJECTIVES: This investigation aimed to elucidate the incidence, consequences, and perioperative determinants of stroke following surgical intervention for acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD). METHODS: In a multicenter retrospective analysis, 516 ATAAD surgery patients were evaluated. The data included demographic information, clinical profiles, surgical modalities, and outcomes. The primary endpoint was postoperative stroke incidence, with hospital mortality and other complications serving as secondary endpoints. RESULTS: Postoperative stroke occurred in 13.6% of patients (70 out of 516) and was associated with significant extension of the ICU (median 10 vs. 5 days, P < 0.001) and hospital stay (median 18 vs. 12 days, P < 0.001). The following key independent stroke risk factors were identified: modified Frailty Index (mFI) ≥ 4 (odds ratio [OR]: 4.18, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.24-14.1, P = 0.021), common carotid artery malperfusion (OR: 3.76, 95% CI: 1.23-11.44, P = 0.02), pre-cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) hypotension (mean arterial pressure ≤ 50 mmHg; OR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.06-4.44, P = 0.035), ≥ 20% intraoperative decrease in cerebral regional oxygen saturation (rSO2) (OR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.02-3.64, P = 0.042), and post-CPB vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS) ≥ 10 (OR: 2.24, 95% CI: 1.21-4.14, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative stroke significantly increases ICU and hospital durations in ATAAD surgery patients. These findings highlight the critical need to identify and mitigate major risks, such as high mFI, common carotid artery malperfusion, pre-CPB hypotension, significant cerebral rSO2 reductions, and elevated post-CPB VIS, to improve outcomes and reduce stroke prevalence. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR20230615002). Date registered on June 15, 2023. Retrospectively registered.

The impact of onset-to-cut time in surgery for stable acute type A aortic dissection-a single-centre retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of onset-to-cut time on mortality in patients undergoing surgery for stable acute type A aortic dissection. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery for acute type A aortic dissection between January 2006 and December 2021 and available onset-to-cut times were included. Patients with unstable aortic dissection (preoperative shock, intubation, resuscitation, coma, pericardial tamponade and local/systemic malperfusion syndromes) were excluded. After descriptive analysis, a multivariable binary logistic regression for 30-day mortality was performed. A receiver operating characteristic curve for onset-to-cut time and 30-day mortality was calculated. Restricted cubic splines were designed to investigate the association between onset-to-cut time and survival. RESULTS: The final cohort comprised 362 patients. The median onset-to-cut time was 543 (376-1155) min. The 30-day mortality was 9%. Only previous myocardial infarction (P = 0.018) and prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time (P < 0.001) were identified as independent risk factors for 30-day mortality. The corresponding area under the receiver operating characteristic curve showed a value of 0.49. Restricted cubic splines did not indicate an association between onset-to-cut time and survival (P = 0.316). CONCLUSIONS: Onset-to-cut time in the setting of stable acute type A aortic dissection does not seem to be a valid predictor of 30-day mortality in patients undergoing surgery and stayed stable during the preoperative course.

Risk factors and prognosis of postoperative spinal cord injury in type A aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the risk factors and prognosis of spinal cord injury (SCI) after surgical procedure in type A aortic dissection (AAD). METHODS: Between January 2013 and December 2021, a total of 1647 patients with AAD underwent surgical procedure. Postoperative SCI occurred in 58 patients, including 24 patients with paraplegia and 34 patients with paraparesis. Factors associated with SCI were identified through comparison between patients with and without SCI. RESULTS: The mean age was 48.8 ± 10.8 years for patients with SCI and 50.1 ± 12.1 years for those without SCI (P = 0.43), with a comparable gender distribution. Median numbers of intercostal and lumbar arteries with involvement were significantly higher in the SCI group (both P < 0.001). The highest (P = 0.033) and lowest (P = 0.001) levels of intraoperative mean arterial pressure (MAP) were significantly lower in the SCI group. Multivariable analysis revealed the number of segmental arteries involved (odds ratio = 1.14, 95% CI 1.08-1.20, P = 0.000), and the duration of hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) (odds ratio = 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.08, P = 0.042) was positively associated with the occurrence of SCI. Conversely, the lowest level of MAP was negatively associated with SCI (odds ratio = 0.98, 95% CI 0.96-0.99, P = 0.031). During the long-term follow-up, 14 patients with paraplegia needed a wheel chair, while only 1 patient with paraparesis needed one (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of postoperative SCI increases when AAD patients experience segmental arteries involved, longer HCA duration and decreased intraoperative MAP during operation.

The burden of major complications on failure to rescue after surgery for acute type A aortic dissection: Analysis of more than 19,000 patients.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between the number and type of postoperative complications and mortality in the setting for surgery for acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) remains underexplored despite its critical role in the failure-to-rescue (FTR) metric. METHODS: This retrospective study used data from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgical Database on ATAAD surgeries performed between January 2018 and December 2022. Patients were categorized based on their number of major complications. The primary outcome was FTR. We used multilevel regression and classification and regression tree models. RESULTS: We included 19,243 patients (33% females), with a median age of 61 years. Regarding complications, 47.7% of patients had 0, 20.2% had 1, 12.7% had 2, and 19.4% experienced 3 or more. The most frequently reported complications were prolonged mechanical ventilation (30.3%), unplanned reoperation (19.5%), and renal failure (17.2%). Cardiac arrest occurred in 7.1% of cases. FTR increased from 13% in patients with 1 complication to >30% in those with 4 or more complications. Cardiac arrest (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 10.9) and renal failure (aOR, 5.3) had the highest odds for mortality, followed by limb ischemia (aOR, 2.7), stroke (aOR, 2.6), and gastrointestinal complications (aOR, 2.4). Hospitals in the top performance quartile consistently showed lower FTR rates across all levels of complication. CONCLUSIONS: The study validates a dose-response association between postoperative complications and mortality in patients undergoing surgery for ATAAD. Top-performing hospitals consistently show lower FTR rates independent of the number of complications. Future research should focus on the timing of complications and interventions to reduce the burden of complications.