Is extended arch replacement for acute type a aortic dissection an additional risk factor for mortality?
GROUND: We report our experience with surgery for acute type A aortic dissection with involvement of the aortic arch. METHODS: From January 1986 to December 2001, 277 patients underwent surgery for acute type A aortic dissection. In 70 patients (25.3%), surgery was extended into the aortic arch: hemiarch and total arch replacement in 53 (75.7%) and 17 (24.3%) patients, respectively. Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest was used in 19 patients, antegrade selective cerebral perfusion in 38, and combined deep hypothermic circulatory arrest with antegrade selective cerebral perfusion in 13. RESULTS: Operative mortality was 18.6% (13/70) after extended replacement into the arch versus 21.7% (45/207) after surgery limited to the ascending aorta (p = 0.62). Multivariate analysis did not reveal significant risk factors for operative mortality. Postoperatively, 5 patients (8.1%) had a new postoperative cerebral vascular accident (CVA).Multivariate analysis showed an earlier date of operation as
