Using the Delphi method to establish a Chinese experts' consensus of the surgical management for type A aortic dissection / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To establish a Chinese expert consensus of the surgical management for type A aortic dissection (TAAD) by using the Delphi method.Methods A systematic review of the previously published literature related to management of TAAD at home and abroad was conducted to formulate a questionnaire of clinical consensus of the surgical treatment for TAAD.This questionnaire including seven aspects of surgical management for TAAD,namely contraindications to operative management,cannulation site,target temperature during circulation arrest,cerebral perfusion strategy,surgical procedure,distal anastomotic technique and surgical management for patients with connective tissue disease such as Marfan syndrome.From October 2015 to April 2016,we performed two rounds Delphi survey in which the current professional opinions from 55 experienced and representative cardiovascular surgeons in China,were gathered and analysed.Results The responses rates of two rounds were 80.0％ (44/55) and 77.27％ (34/44).The scores of authoritative coefficient was 0.87 and 0.83.The coefficient of concordance were 0.31 (P ＜ 0.05) and 0.32 (P ＜ 0.05).After two rounds of consultation,consensus of the surgical management for TAAD was reached on 16 items of seven aspects.Conclusion This Delphi study established an initial Chinese expert consensus concerning the surgical management for TAAD,which drew credible results and reliable conclusions.This study will helo to standardize the surgical management of TAAD in China.