A retrospective analysis of the surgical treatment of Type A acute aortic dissection was performed during the period Jan.86 and Dec.96. A total of 64 patients were operated on (mean age 52.6 + 10.9 years) with predominance of the male gender (64.1%). In 17 cases there was intrapericardial rupture of the dissection; the intimal tear was located in the ascending aorta in 58 patients (90.6%) and in the aortic arch in the remaining (9.4%). The basic surgical procedure consisted of extensive resection of the ascending aorta with substitution by a bovine pericardial conduit. However, other techniques were employed in a few patients in the beginning of our experience. Deep hypothermia with circulatory arrest was used in 32.8% of the patients, but with increasing frequency in the last years. The native aortic valve was preserved in 76.5% of patients. Total hospital mortality was 28.1% (18 patients), but was significatively lower in the last 4 years (17.8%). Late follow-up showed 4 deaths; CVA and pulmonary embolism were responsible for two of these deaths, respectively. The cause could not be determined in the other two. Reoperations were necessary in 7 patients without mortality; progressive aortic insufficiency was the major indication for reoperation. Structural failures of bioprosthesis and bovine pericardial grafts were not recorded during this period. This experience reinforces our approach to a more radical treatment of Type A acute aortic dissection with probably more use of aortic valve replacements and deep hypothermia with circulatory arrest.
Aneurysm; Aneurysm; Aortic aneurysm
