Long-term outcomes after aortic root repair using selective sinus replacement.

OBJECTIVES: The study aim was to evaluate long-term results after anatomic restoration of the aortic root. METHODS: During an 18-year period, a total of 669 patients underwent valve-sparing root repair (aneurysm 554, dissection 115) using selective sinus replacement. None/trivial, mild, moderate, and severe (grades 3+ and 4+) insufficiency were present in 57, 146, 204, and 262 patients, respectively. RESULTS: The anatomic repair was adjusted to the existing aortic annulus diameter, which was 27.0 ± 3.0 mm on average. Replacement of 1, 2, or 3 sinuses of Valsalva was performed in 209, 234, and 226 patients, respectively. Altogether, 454 additional procedures on the cusps were performed, mostly as cusp patch plasty with pericardium (210). Thirty-day mortality was 0.6%. The mean follow-up duration was 7.1 ± 4.1 years (range, 0.01-19.1 years). The estimated freedom from relevant aortic insufficiency grade 3+ or greater (15 events) was 98% ± 1%, 97% ± 1%, and 94% ± 3% at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. On echocardiogram, no patient revealed a considerable change of the form or size of the repaired root, which was confirmed radiologically in 160 patients who received computed tomography angiography for any reason. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified cusp prolapse/pseudo-prolapse as the only independent risk factor for the development of recurrent insufficiency grade 2+ or greater (41 occurrences), with a hazard ratio of 3.258 (95% confidence interval, 1.658-6.403; P = .001). An association between aortic annulus size and functional results could not be demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: Patient-tailored root repair using isolated sinus replacement offers excellent functional long-term results regardless of underlying root pathology or annulus size. Aortic cusp pathology was decisive for long-term valve function.

Selective sinus replacement for aortic root repair in bicuspid aortopathy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the results after selective sinus replacement (SSR) for aortic root remodeling in bicuspid aortopathy. METHODS: Among 662 patients who underwent root repair using SSR between 2005 and 2020, there were 114 with bicuspid aortopathy. SSR was performed either as an isolated procedure (31) or as an adjunct to aortic valve repair (83) and was adjusted to the existing aortic annulus diameter rather than a downsized diameter. In valves with asymmetrical commissural orientation, the repair aimed for the achievement of a 180°-commissural orientation. RESULTS: Abolishment of aortic insufficiency (AI) ≥2+ using root repair alone was only possible in 2 patients with acute-dissection-related AI, yet isolated root repair was also performed in 29 further patients with no/mild AI. All remaining patients with AI ≥2+ presented cusp-related regurgitation and necessitated an additional valve repair. During the mean follow-up of 91 months (range, 13-196), a relevant valve defect (AI ≥3+ in 8, stenosis in 2) occurred in 10 patients (all after combined repair) resulting in an estimated freedom from a relevant aortic valve defect and/or reoperation of 96 ± 2%, 89 ± 4%, and 82 ± 6% at 5, 10, and 12 years, respectively. Echocardiographically, no patient revealed a considerable change of form or size of the repaired root nor was any root reintervention necessary. CONCLUSIONS: Patient-tailored root repair using SSR is a very effective and durable valve-sparing approach for bicuspid aortopathy. Aortic cusp repair is decisive for both abolishment of AI in bicuspid aortopathy and for the functional durability of the repaired aortic valve.

Ascending aorta replacement in patients with coronary ostia localized above the sinotubular junction.

OBJECTIVES: The study objective was to describe the technique and outcomes of original coronary ostial slide plasty in patients with anomalous coronary artery origin (ACAO) localized in the aneurysmal ascending aorta (AA) being replaced because of its isolated pathology and otherwise non-pathological aortic root. METHODS: A total of 23 patients (median age 52 years) with the ascending phenotype of proximal aorta aneurysm and ACAO of at least 1 coronary artery localized in the AA being replaced underwent ostial slide plasty to transpose the ACAO to the respective sinus of Valsalva and, consequently, to allow an AA replacement with placement of the proximal anastomosis at the level of the sinotubular junction (STJ). In 15 patients, the aortic valve was bicuspid, and all but 3 patients presented with a relevant valve defect. In addition to remodelling the STJs (all patients), valve-sparing repair or replacement was performed in 12 and 8 patients, respectively. RESULTS: No patient died during the entire follow-up (median 72, range 3-183 months). One patient required replacement of a recurrently insufficient valve that was repaired primarily using cusp patch plasty, but there were no further cardiac reoperations nor any re-interventions on the proximal aorta, aortic valve and/or coronary artery ostia. Two patients received peripheral coronary stents (8 and 7 years after surgery, respectively) due to coronary heart disease. CONCLUSIONS: Transposition of the ACAO from the replaced AA into the normal sinus of Valsalva using the ostial slide plasty offers a simple and safe surgical option enabling a recreation of a durable STJ at the level of the anastomosis between the root and the aortic graft.

Efficacy of unilateral cerebral perfusion for brain protection in aortic arch surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the surgical and neurological outcomes after aortic arch surgery using unilateral cerebral perfusion. METHODS: Between June 2004 and February 2017, a total of 1000 patients (mean age 63 ± 12; range, 14-88 years) with nonacutely dissected aortic pathology (aneurysm, porcelain aorta, chronic dissection, infection, and injury in 89.1%, 4.9%, 4.1%, 1.6%, and 0.3%, respectively) underwent aortic arch surgery using unilateral cerebral perfusion for brain protection using mild hypothermia. A previous neurological event with residuals was documented in 3.6% of the patients and 12.2% had received previous cardiovascular surgery. The surgery comprised total/subtotal arch repair (with involvement of at least 1 supra-aortic artery) or hemiarch replacement in 346 and 654 patients, respectively. The aortic valve was replaced in 521 (including 190 valve composite grafts) and repaired in 380 patients (284 valve-sparing root repairs). RESULTS: The unilateral cerebral perfusion (mean duration 23.3 ± 17.2; range, 6-105 minutes) was performed via cannulated common carotid or innominate artery and aimed for a pressure-controlled (70-100 mm Hg) flow (mean flow, 1.4 ± 0.3 L/min; mean pressure, 90.1 ± 20.1 mm Hg) at a constant blood temperature of 28°C for ensuring the patency of collateral pathways. The circulatory arrest of the lower body (mean duration 18.4 ± 9.9 minutes) was performed at a rectal temperature of 31.2 ± 1.8°C. Early (30-day) and in-hospital mortality was 1.3% and 2.1%, respectively; the rates of permanent neurological deficit and transient neurological dysfunctions were 1.0% and 4.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral cerebral perfusion performed in the described conditions is highly effective for cerebral protection in aortic arch surgery.

Root repair in patient with huge sinus Valsalva aneurysm and severe aortic regurgitation.

Anatomical aortic root restoration in a patient with a giant aneurysm of the right Sinus of Valsalva accompanied by severe AI and compression of the right-ventricular outflow is described and the entire case series (5) is reported.

Long-term outcomes after valve-sparing anatomical aortic root reconstruction in acute dissection involving the root.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate long-term results after valve-sparing surgery of acutely dissected aortic root in which a restoration of root anatomy adjusted to the existing aortic annulus diameter, rather than any kind of downsizing, was performed. METHODS: Among 286 consecutive patients operated on because of type A aortic dissection during the last 17 years were 100 patients (35.0%), mean age 63 ± 13 years (range, 29-88 years), in whom an anatomical restoration of the involved root was performed. Twenty-eight patients presented with severe (3+ or 4+), 37 with mild to moderate (2+), and 24 with mild (1+) insufficiency. In 5 patients, the valve was bicuspid. In all patients, a curative root repair with replacement of all dissected aortic wall was performed, containing a selective replacement of pathologic/dissected aortic sinuses, which were 1, 2, or all 3 sinuses in 62, 32, and 6 patients, respectively. Concomitant cusp repair was necessary in 18 patients. RESULTS: Thirty-day mortality was 1.0%. Survival was estimated starting with surgery and was 89.4 ± 3.4% (95% confidence interval, 80.5-94.4) and 68.8 ± 6.4% (95% confidence interval, 54.4-79.5) at 5 and 12 years, respectively. No patient required reoperation on the aortic root and/or valve during the follow-up period of 70 ± 50 (range, 3-202) months. A freedom from any aortic valve/root reintervention and/or relevant (>2+) aortic insufficiency at 12 years was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Selective replacement of pathologic sinuses offers an anatomophysiological albeit curative restoration of acutely dissected aortic root resulting in excellent and durable outcomes in selected patients with acute aortic dissection.

Operative and Long-Term Outcomes After Curative Repair of Acute Dissection Involving the Proximal Aorta.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate operative and long-term results after acute type A aorta dissection (AAAD) operation, in which complete resection of all dissected aortic segments (curative repair) was achieved. METHODS: Among 205 consecutive patients operated on between 2002 and 2014 because of AAAD were 88 patients (42.9%), in whom the dissection did not extend into the downstream aorta. The distal extension of the dissection ended before the origin of the innominate artery in 50 patients of the study cohort (56.8%) or extended throughout the arch, necessitating a total/subtotal arch replacement to achieve a curative distal repair in 38 remaining patients (43.2%). The aortic root was involved in 52 patients (59.1%) and was repaired using valve-sparing repair (31) or replacement with a valve composite graft (21). Combination of root and open arch surgery was reported in 46 patients (52.3%). RESULTS: Thirty-day and in-hospital mortalities were 3.4% and 5.7%, respectively. Survival was estimated starting with the operation and was 81.9% ± 4.5% and 56.6% ± 8.7% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. No patient required reoperation on the aortic root and/or distal thoracoabdominal aorta; however 2 cardiac reoperations were unrelated to the primary surgical procedure. Moreover, the freedom of aortic and/or sudden/unknown death was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Curative aortic repair can be achieved in a relevant share of AAAD patients and is mostly limited by the distal extension of dissection. This kind of repair is advisable, whenever possible, because it can provide very low risk of aortic complications and/or reoperations over time.

Innominate artery pathology in the setting of aortic arch surgery: incidences, surgical considerations and operative outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidences of innominate artery (IA) involvement in aortic arch pathology necessitating surgery, the surgical strategies and the operative results. METHODS: Among the 366 patients who underwent total/subtotal arch replacement because of non-acutely dissected aortic pathology between 2004 and June 2017, there were 46 (12.6%) patients (29 males; mean age 69 ± 10, range 35-84 years) with IA involvement. Pathologies necessitating replacement of the IA were chronic aneurysm including progression of chronic dissection, severe atherosclerosis with or without an aneurysmatic dilatation, and inflammatory vasculitis in 34, 11 and 1 patient, respectively. All data were collected prospectively, and intention-to-treat analysis was performed. RESULTS: All patients underwent total/subtotal aortic arch replacement using unilateral cerebral perfusion (mean duration 44.6 ± 15.7 min) under mild hypothermia (30.6 ± .4°C). In addition to arch and IA replacement, repair of one or two further supra-aortic arteries was performed in 20 and 23 patients, respectively. One patient underwent complete thoracic aorta replacement via clamshell thoracotomy. The aortic valve, which was the most frequent object of concomitant surgery, was replaced in 18 (including 3 valve composite-grafts) and repaired in 20 (18 valve-sparing root repairs) patients. Early (30-day and/or in-hospital) mortality was 0. The rate of permanent neurological deficit was 2.2% (1 patient with a huge, partially thrombosed arch and innominate aneurysm). Transient neurological dysfunctions such as agitation were observed in 6 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Involvement of the IA in aortic arch surgery is not infrequent, and its concomitant replacement using well-considered cannulation, perfusion and surgical strategy offers excellent operative outcomes.

Bentall procedure after previous aortic valve or complete root replacement: Usefulness of self-assembled aortic valve conduit.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate surgical results of complete aortic root replacement using self-assembled valve composite graft in the setting of destroyed aortic annulus after previous valve replacement. METHODS: Aortic root pathology being addressed by complete root replacement was combined with partial or complete absence of annular tissue in 112 consecutive patients. Eighty-eight had undergone a previous replacement of the aortic valve and 24 had undergone root replacement with a valved conduit. Altogether, 31 patients (27.7%) presented with acute endocarditis, which was the indication for surgery in 75% of patients with prior root replacement. In all patients, the root replacement or re-replacement was performed with a self-assembled valved conduit using mechanical (n = 74) or, in patients with an advanced age, biological (n = 38) valve prostheses. RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was 11.6%, including a 30-day mortality of 6.3%. Resternotomy for bleeding was necessary in 5.4% of patients and about one-quarter did not need any blood transfusion. Estimated survival at 1, 5, and 10 years was 84.8% ± 3.4%, 75.7% ± 4.3%, and 57.1% ± 6.5%, respectively. Freedom from any valve-related events at 10 years was 86.2% ± 4.1%. During the follow-up time (mean, 63 ± 47 months), there was only 1 reoperation necessary 9 years after surgery (replacement of deteriorated biological valve prosthesis within the vascular tube leaving the conduit untouched). CONCLUSIONS: A self-assembled composite graft allows safe proximal fixation of the conduit in patients with destroyed aortic annulus, resulting in sufficient proximal anastomosis and a very low incidence of aorta-related reoperations.

Importance of accurately locating the entry site for endovascular treatment of retrograde Type A acute aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic possibilities of accurately locating the entry site in acute retrograde Type A aortic dissection and the results of the corresponding endovascular treatments. METHODS: Among 100 patients who underwent surgery for the treatment of spontaneous acute Type A aortic dissection between 2012 and June 2017, all but 1 patient had preoperative computed tomographic angiography. A total of 8 retrograde extensions originated from the descending aorta, in which 6 of them were diagnosed correctly using radiological imaging. The surgical team was unable to properly diagnose the entry site using radiological imaging in only 1 patient, and no preoperative computed tomographic-angiographic scans were available for 1 other patient. In the latter case, the retrograde dissection was diagnosed intraoperatively and confirmed by postoperative computed tomographic angiography. RESULTS: In 5 patients, a tear-oriented endovascular repair was performed based on preoperative radiological findings. In the remaining 3 patients, conventional surgery of the proximal aorta was performed because of the clinical situation (e.g. aortic insufficiency, pericardial effusion) and/or diagnostic uncertainty. One patient subsequently underwent an endograft successfully. All patients survived surgery and were alive at the last follow-up; however, complete remodelling of the thoracic aorta was evident in only patients with endovascular repair. CONCLUSIONS: Tear-oriented endovascular repair of acute Type A aortic dissection originating from the descending aorta seems to be a valuable and durable therapeutic option. However, the determination of the entry site in the descending aorta is a prerequisite for this type of treatment. Therefore, the surgical team should consider a diagnostics based on modern, sophisticated radiological methods.

Patient-tailored aortic root repair in adult marfanoid patients: Surgical considerations and outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the operative and functional results after individual, patient-tailored aortic root repair in marfanoid patients. METHODS: Among 518 patients who underwent operation between 2002 and January 2016, using patient-tailored aortic root repair with isolated sinus replacement, 42 patients fulfilled the original Ghent criteria. None/trivial, mild, moderate, and severe insufficiency grades were present in 5, 16, 10, and 11 patients, respectively. RESULTS: The repair was adjusted to the existing aortic annulus diameter. Replacement of 1, 2, or 3 sinuses of Valsalva was performed in 1, 14, and 27 patients, respectively. Concomitant cusp repair was performed in 17 patients (40.5%), and 10 patients (23.8%) underwent arch repair (total in 3). All patients survived surgery, and the follow-up (mean, 6.1 ± 3.1; range, 0.8-14.2 years) was 100% complete. No patient had a change in the form or size of the aortic neo-root, especially the size of aortic annulus and sinotubular junction during the follow-up time. No and trivial/mild insufficiency were present in 22 and 18 patients, respectively, and 2 patients with recurrent aortic insufficiency caused by cusp pathology underwent aortic valve replacement 43 and 66 months after the primary surgery, respectively. Thus, the estimated survival free from aortic valve/root reoperation for any reason at 5 and 8 years was 96.8% ± 3.2% and 91.4% ± 6.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patient-tailored root repair using isolated sinus replacement is an effective and durable method of valve-sparing repair in select marfanoid patients with a satisfactory quality of aortic cusps, which seems to be decisive for long-term valve function.

Use of the frozen elephant trunk technique in complicated chronic dissection with porcelain aorta and visceral arteries originating from different lumens.

A rare case of aortic arch aneurysm combined with chronic aortic dissection is reported. Because the visceral arteries originated from different, equivalently perfused lumens and the descending aorta was circumferentially calcified (porcelain aorta) limiting the possibilities of anastomosing, careful planning of the surgical strategy was of utmost importance. The complex surgery consisted of ascending and total arch replacement using the 'frozen elephant trunk' technique with Thoraflex™ Hybrid Prosthesis (Vascutek, Terumo, Inchinnan, Scotland); however, before insertion of the stent graft, an angioscopic resection of the dissection membrane in the proximal part of the descending aorta was carried out to ensure a complete expansion of the distal edge of the stent within the entire common lumen of the aorta and unimpaired distal flow in both lumens below the stent graft. The surgery and the postoperative course were uneventful.

Acute aortic dissection involving the root: operative and long-term outcome after curative proximal repair.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate operative and long-term results after surgery of acute aortic dissection involving the root, in which the proximal repair consisted of curative resection of all dissected aortic sinuses and was performed using either valve-sparing root repair or complete root replacement with a valve conduit. METHODS: Between August 2002 and March 2013, 162 consecutive patients (mean age 63 ± 14 years) underwent surgery for acute type A aortic dissection. Eighty-six patients with an involvement of the aortic root underwent curative surgery of the proximal aorta consisting of valve-sparing root repair (n = 54, 62.8%) or complete valve and root replacement using composite valve grafts (n = 32, 37.2%). In patients with root repair, all dissected aortic walls were resected and root remodelling using the single patch technique (n = 53) or root repair with valve reimplantation (n = 1) was performed without the use of any glue. All perioperative data were collected prospectively and retrospective statistical examination was performed using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 5.2 ± 3.5 years for all patients (range 0-12 years) and 6.1 ± 3.3 years for survivors. The 30-day mortality rate was 5.8% (5 patients), being considerably lower in the repair sub-cohort (1.9 vs 12.5%). The estimated survival rate at 5 and 10 years was 80.0 ± 4.5 and 69.1 ± 6.7%, respectively. No patient required reoperation on the proximal aorta and/or aortic valve during the follow-up time and there were only two valve-related events (both embolic, one in each group). Among those patients with repaired valves, the last echocardiography available showed no insufficiency in 40 and an irrelevant insufficiency (1+) in 14. CONCLUSIONS: Curative repair of the proximal aorta in acute dissection involving the root provides favourable operative and long-term outcome with very low risk of aortic complications and/or reoperations, regardless if a valve-sparing procedure or replacement with a valve conduit is used. Valve-sparing surgery is frequently suitable, providing excellent outcome and very high durability.

Open aortic arch surgery in chronic dissection with visceral arteries originating from different lumens.

OBJECTIVES: Surgical management of chronic aortic dissection is controversial, especially when the dissection extends into the abdominal aorta in which the visceral arteries originate from different lumens and is combined with aortic arch pathology necessitating surgery. The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of open surgery in this complex aortic pathology. METHODS: Between June 2002 and 2015, a total of 17 patients (median age 57, range 32-76 years) necessitating complete arch replacement presented complex chronic dissection of the thoraco-abdominal aorta with the visceral arteries originating from different lumens. Fourteen patients (82%) had had previous cardiac surgery, which was performed on the proximal aorta in all but one because of acute type A dissection. Nine patients without considerable dilatation of the descending aorta received aortic arch replacement with distal resection of the dissection membrane, and 8 patients with progressive dilatation of the thoracic aorta underwent aortic arch and descending aorta replacement via clamshell approach. RESULTS: No early (defined as 30-day, 90-day and in-hospital period) deaths, strokes or spinal cord injuries occurred. Only 1 patient (6%) presented temporary neurological dysfunctions (delirium, agitation), which resolved completely before discharge, and an injury of the recurrent laryngeal nerve was documented in 2 patients (12%). Temporary dialysis was necessary in 1 case. The follow-up was complete for all patients. All but one patient, who died due to leukaemia 23 months after surgery, were alive at the last follow-up (median duration 33 months, range 2-118 months). No patient needed a reoperation or an intervention on the thoracic and/or abdominal aorta. Moreover, no noticeable progression of the chronic dissection in the downstream aorta was documented in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: The results after conventional aortic arch repair with distal resection of the dissection membrane and, if necessary, with replacement of the progressively dilated chronic dissected thoracic aorta can offer excellent results in experienced hands and, therefore, this technique may be considered as a preferable option for surgical treatment of chronic aortic dissection with involvement of the aortic arch and the visceral arteries originating from different lumens.

Non-anatomical implantation of supra-aortic branches for customizing the standard form of Thoraflex™ hybrid prosthesis to a patient's anatomical requirements.

Frozen elephant trunk technique represents a valuable therapeutic option for patients with extensive pathology of thoracic aorta. Thoraflex™ hybrid prosthesis (Vascutek, Terumo, Inchinnan, UK) is one of the commercially available devices in which a stent graft is combined with branched vascular tube mimicking the aortic arch anatomy. Owing to the sewing collar between the stented and unstented portions, this hybrid prosthesis offers a valuable addition to the surgical armamentarium for patients with huge thoracic aorta aneurysms, in whom the aortic diameter exceeds the diameter of available stent grafts. However, the standard factory form of the quadrifurcated arch prosthesis does not always fit to the patient's anatomy and demands a deviation from the anatomical anastomosing of the branches with the respective supra-aortic arteries. A technique of non-anatomical implantation of supra-aortic arteries for customizing the standard form of the Thoraflex prosthesis is described, which facilitates the surgery without limiting the functionality of this hybrid prosthesis.

Cannulation and perfusion strategy in acute aortic dissection involving both common carotid arteries.

A rare case of acute aortic dissection with bilateral circumferential dissection of the common carotid artery (CCA), resulting in a severely narrowed true lumen and clinical signs of cerebral malperfusion is reported. After partial resection of the right CCA, a vascular prosthesis was interposed to restore the true lumen perfusion. To ensure sufficient cerebral and global perfusion, the interposition graft of the right CCA and a femoral artery were cannulated with a bifurcated arterial line. The unimpaired cerebral perfusion was achieved by total arch replacement and right-sided aorta-carotid bypass, leading to complete neurological recovery.

Impact of surgical experience on outcome in surgery of acute type A aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVES: The study was conducted to evaluate our results of acute aortic dissection repair taking into account the impact of surgical experience in aortic surgery. METHODS: Between August 2002 and March 2013, 162 consecutive patients (mean age: 63 ± 14 years) underwent surgery for acute type A aortic dissection. All patients were operated on by one of the clinic's attending surgeons with wide experience in cardiac surgery (at least 2000 procedures performed personally), however about one-half of the patients (75 patients, 46%) were operated by the aortic team (AT) surgeons with profound experience in complex aortic pathologies. All perioperative data were collected prospectively and retrospective statistical analysis was performed using uni- and multivariate analyses to identify predictors for surgical adverse outcome (AO) containing in-hospital and/or 90-day mortality and new permanent neurological and organ dysfunctions. RESULTS: AO was observed in 36 patients (22.2%) including in-hospital mortality in 22 (13.6%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified surgery not performed by the AT as the strongest predictor for AO (odds ratio: 14.1; 95% confidence interval: 3.5-55.6; P < 0.0001) followed by any malperfusion, myocardial infarction and creatinine level. Two groups were built according to the surgery performed by the AT (Group AT) or by the surgeons not on the AT (Group No-AT). The comparison of the groups showed no relevant differences regarding the preoperative characteristics, especially compromised consciousness, malperfusion and extent of dissection. Yet, the outcomes in Group AT vs No-AT were significantly different presenting AO: 8.0 vs 34.5% (P < 0.0001), in-hospital mortality: 4.0 vs and 21.8% (P < 0.001), new permanent neurological deficit: 2.7 vs 11.5% (P = 0.03), even if valve-sparing repairs and complete arch replacements were much more frequent in Group AT. The groups also differed considerably in regard to cannulation and perfusion management, which might play a decisive role in surgical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic repair in acute type A dissection, when performed by highly specialized aortic surgeons, offers not only much better outcomes but also provides significantly higher rate of curative albeit valve-sparing aortic repairs. Patient-centred care in referral aortic centres with surgery performed by specialized teams should be striven for to improve surgical results in acute aortic dissection surgery.