ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to analyse the baseline characteristics of patients admitted with acute type A aortic syndrome (ATAAS) and to identify the potential predictors of in-hospital mortality in surgically managed patients. METHODS: Data regarding demographics, clinical presentation, laboratory work-up, and management of 501 patients with ATAAS enrolled in the National Registry of Aortic Dissections-Romania registry from January 2011 to December 2022 were evaluated. The primary endpoint was in-hospital all-cause mortality. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to identify independent predictors of mortality in patients with acute Type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) who underwent surgery. RESULTS: The mean age was 60±11 years and 65% were male. Computed tomography was the first-line diagnostic tool (79%), followed by transoesophageal echocardiography (21%). Cardiac surgery was performed in 88% of the patients. The overall mortality in the entire cohort was 37.9%, while surgically managed ATAAD patients had an in-hospital mortality rate of 29%. In multivariate logistic regression, creatinine value (OR 6.76), ST depression on ECG (OR 6.3), preoperative malperfusion (OR 5.77), cardiogenic shock (OR 5.77), abdominal pain (OR 4.27), age ≥70 years (OR 3.76), and syncope (OR 3.43) were independently associated with in-hospital mortality in surgically managed ATAAD patients. CONCLUSIONS: Risk stratification based on the variables collected at admission may help to identify ATAAS patients with high risk of death following cardiac surgery.