Malperfusion in type A aortic dissection: results of emergency central aortic repair.

Background: Although outcomes of acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) have improved, malperfusion remains associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, and its optimal therapeutic treatment is unknown. Emergency central repair has been performed as our first-line approach for malperfusion. Here, we analyzed outcomes of ATAAD with malperfusion and reassessed emergency central repair.

Methods: In total, 1026 ATAAD patients underwent emergency surgery within 48 h of symptom onset, of whom 318 (30.9%) patients complicated with any preoperative malperfusion were included. Pathophysiology of malperfusion and surgical outcomes were analyzed.

Results: The in-hospital mortality rate was 12.9% for patients with malperfusion and 4.8% for patients without malperfusion (p < 0.0001). Coronary malperfusion was complicated in 7.5% of patients (% dead per group, 19.5%), mesenteric malperfusion in 3.6% (24.3%), renal malperfusion in 8.8% (14.4%), lower leg malperfusion in 12.6% (13.7%), brain malperfusion in 9.7% (12.0%), and spinal malperfusion in 1.1% (18.2%). Mortality rates varied substantially according to the number of affected organ systems (none, 4.8%; one system, 10.4%; two systems, 14.5%; three systems, 30.0%, and four systems; 30.3%; p < 0.0001). In malperfused patients, logistic regression analysis revealed that obesity (body mass index > 30 kg/m), preoperative shock (systolic blood pressure < 80 mmHg), and visceral ischemia were independent predictors for hospital death.

Conclusions: Malperfusion of more organ systems and mesenteric malperfusion resulted in unfavorable prognosis, and effects of central repair were limited in such severe/complex malperfusion. To further improve outcomes of ATAAD with malperfusion, emergency reperfusion of affected organs followed by central repair might be considered.