Effects of Sex on Early Outcome following Repair of Acute Type A Aortic Dissection:Results from The Nordic Consortium for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection (NORCAAD)

Background Female sex is known to have increased perioperative mortality in cardiac surgery. Studies reporting effects of sex on outcome following surgical repair for acute Type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) have been limited by small cohorts of heterogeneous patient populations and have shown diverging results. This study aimed to compare perioperative characteristics, operative management, and postoperative outcome between sexes in a large and well-defined cohort of patients operated for ATAAD. Methods The Nordic Consortium for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection study included patients with surgical repair of ATAAD at eight Nordic centers between January 2005 and December 2014. Independent predictors of 30-day mortality were identified using multivariable logistic regression. Results Females represented 373 (32%) out of 1,154 patients and were significantly older (65 ± 11 vs. 60 ± 12 years, p < 0.001), had lower body mass index (25.8 ± 5.4 vs. 27.2 ± 4.3 kg/m 2, p < 0.001), and had more often a history of hypertension (59% vs. 48%, p = 0.001) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (8% vs. 4%, p = 0.033) compared with males. More females presented with DeBakey class II as compared with males with dissection of the ascending aorta alone (33.4% vs. 23.1%, p = 0.003). Hypothermic cardiac arrest time (28 ± 16 vs. 31 ± 19 minutes, p = 0.026) and operation time (345 ± 133 vs. 374 ± 135 minutes, p < 0.001) were shorter among females. There was no difference between the sexes in unadjusted intraoperative death (9.1% vs. 6.7%, p = 0.17) or 30-day mortality (17.7% vs. 17.4%, p = 0.99). In a multivariable analysis including perioperative factors influencing mortality, no difference was found between females and males in 30-day mortality (odds ratio: 0.92, 95% confidence interval: 0.62-1.38, p = 0.69). Conclusions This study found no association between sex and early mortality following surgery for ATAAD, despite females being older and having more comorbidities, yet also presenting with a less widespread dissection than males

Outcome after surgery for acute type A aortic dissection with or without primary tear resection

Background: The outcome in patients after surgery for acute type A aortic dissection without replacement of the part of the aorta containing the primary tear is undefined.Methods: Data of 1122 patients who underwent surgery for acute type A aortic dissection in eight Nordic centers from Jan 2005 to Dec 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients with primary tear location either unfound, unknown, not confirmed or not recorded (n=243, 21.7%) were excluded from the analysis. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether the aortic reconstruction encompassed the portion of the primary tear (TR group, n=730) or not (TNR group, n=149). The restricted mean survival time ratios adjusted for patient characteristics and surgical details between the groups were calculated for all-cause mortality and aortic reoperation-free survival. The median follow-up time was 2.57 (inter-quartile range 0.53-5.30) years.Results: For the majority of the patients in the TR group, the primary tear was located in the ascending aorta (83.6%). The reconstruction encompassed both aortic root and the aortic arch in 7.4% in the TR group as compared with 0.7% in the TNR patients (PConclusions: Primary tear resection alo</p

Peripheral measurements of venous oxygen saturation and lactate as a less invasive alternative for hemodynamic monitoring

Abstract Background Peripheral measurement of venous oxygen saturation and lactate is a less invasive alternative to monitor tissue oxygenation as compared to measurements from a central venous catheter. However, there is a lack of evidence to support the use of peripheral measurements. In this study, we investigated the agreement between central and peripheral venous oxygen saturation and lactate. Methods We conducted a prospective observational study including 115 patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery between April and May 2015 at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. Measurements were obtained simultaneously at induction of anaesthesia, upon arrival in the ICU and 3–4 h postoperatively. Bias and trending ability was identified using Bland-Altman analysis and a four-quadrant plot. Results Bias was 13.37% for venous oxygen saturation preoperatively (95% CI: 11.52–15.22, LoA: ±19.10, PE: 22.08%), 11.29% at arrival to the ICU (95% CI: 8.81–13.77, LoA: ±25.10, PE: 32.39%) and 16.49% at 3–4 h postoperatively (95% CI: 14.16–18.82, LoA: ±21.20, PE: 26.82%). A four-quadrant plot demonstrated an 89% concordance. Central and peripheral lactate showed a bias of 0.14 mmol/L preoperatively (95% CI: 0.11–0.17, LoA: ±0.30, PE: 32.08%), 0.16 mmol/L at arrival to ICU (95% CI: 0.09–0.23, LoA: ±0.70, PE: 38.88%) and 0.23 mmol/L at 3–4 h postoperatively (95% CI: 0.11–0.35, LoA: ±0.50, 25.18%). Discussion Measurements of peripheral oxygen saturation and lactate may be valuable in an emergency setting, avoiding unnecessary and time consuming application of a CVC. Conclusion We found a high bias but an acceptable trending ability between central and peripheral venous oxygenation. Central and peripheral lactate had excellent agreement. Further studies are necessary to validate the use of peripheral venous samples to identify patients at risk of impaired tissue oxygenation

Limited Distal Repair Results in Low Rates of Distal Events Following Surgery for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection

To investigate mortality and reoperation rates following limited distal repair after acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) at a single medium volume institution. We analyzed all patients that underwent limited distal repair (ascending aortic or hemiarch replacement) following ATAAD between January 1998 and April 2020 at our institution. During the study period, 489 patients underwent ATAAD surgery, of which 457 (94%) underwent limited distal repair with a 30-day mortality of 12.9%. Among 30-day survivors, late follow-up was 97.7% complete with a mean follow-up of 6.0 ± 5.5 years. In all, 50 patients (11%) required a reoperation during the study period at a mean of 3.4 ± 3.4 years after initial repair, with a 30-day mortality of 12%. An aortic reoperation was required in 4.1 (2.0–6.1)%, 10.3 (7.1–13.6)%, 15.1 (10.9–19.4)%, and 18.0 (13.0–22.9)% of patients at 1, 5, 10, and 15 years. A distal reoperation was required in 3.0 (1.2–4.7)%, 8.0 (5.1–10.9)%, 10.3 (6.8–13.8)%, and 12.4 (8.2–16.5)% of patients and 4.4 (2.3–6.4)%, 10.4 (7.1–13.7)%, 13.9 (9.8–18.0)%, and 16.9 (12.0–21.9)% of patents had a distal event at 1, 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. Limited distal repair with an ascending aortic or hemiarch replacement was associated with acceptable survival and rates of reoperations and distal events. Limited distal repair is a safe and feasible standard approach to ATAAD surgery at a medium-volume center

Utility of Postoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients Who Fail Superior Canal Dehiscence Surgery

OBJECTIVE: The etiology of symptoms following primary repair of superior canal dehiscence (SCD) may be due to a persistent third window. However, the extent of surgery cannot be seen on postoperative computed tomography (CT) since most repair materials are not radiopaque. We hypothesize that the extent of superior semicircular canal (SSC) occlusion following primary repair can be quantified based on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective series. SETTING: Tertiary care center. PATIENTS: Adult patients with a history of SCD syndrome who 1) report persistent symptoms following primary SCD repair and 2) underwent heavily T2-weighted MRI postoperatively. INTERVENTIONS: Analysis of SSC using 3D-reconstruction of CT co-registered with MRI data. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Arc length of fluid void on MRI and quantification of persistent SCD based on CT/MRI co-registration. RESULTS: We identified 9 revision cases from a cohort of 145 SCD repairs at our institution (2002-2017) with CT/MRI data. A fluid void on postoperative MRI (indicating occlusion of the SSC) was observed in all cases (anterior limb: 50.1 degrees [±21.8 SD] and posterior limb 48.1 degrees [±28.5 SD]). Co-registration of CT/MRI revealed a residual defect that was most commonly found along the posterior limb in most patients with persistent symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The extent of SCD repair can be determined using reformatted or direct T2-weighted MRI sequences in the plane of Pöschl. Co-registration of CT/MRI may be useful to determine the location of a residual superior canal defect and when present was found most commonly along the posterior limb

Preoperative dual antiplatelet therapy increases bleeding and transfusions but not mortality in acute aortic dissection type A repair.

To access publisher's full text version of this article click on the hyperlink belowOBJECTIVES: Acute aortic dissection type A is a life-threatening condition, warranting immediate surgery. Presentation with sudden chest pain confers a risk of misdiagnosis as acute coronary syndrome resulting in subsequent potent antiplatelet treatment. We investigated the impact of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) on bleeding and mortality using the Nordic Consortium for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection (NORCAAD) database. METHODS: The NORCAAD database is a retrospective multicentre database where 119 of 1141 patients (10.4%) had DAPT with ASA + clopidogrel (n = 108) or ASA + ticagrelor (n = 11) before surgery. The incidence of major bleeding and 30-day mortality was compared between DAPT and non-DAPT patients with logistic regression models before and after propensity score matching. RESULTS: Before matching, 51.3% of DAPT patients had major bleeding when compared to 37.7% of non-DAPT patients (P = 0.0049). DAPT patients received more transfusions of red blood cells [median 8 U (Q1-Q3 4-15) vs 5.5 U (2-11), P < 0.0001] and platelets [4 U (2-8) vs 2 U (1-4), P = 0.0001]. Crude 30-day mortality was 19.3% vs 17.0% (P = 0.60). After matching, major bleeding remained significantly more common in DAPT patients, 51.3% vs 39.3% [odds ratio (OR) 1.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-2.51; P = 0.028], but mortality did not significantly differ (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.51-1.50; P = 0.63). Major bleeding was associated with increased 30-day mortality (adjusted OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.72-3.46; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: DAPT prior to acute aortic dissection repair was associated with increased bleeding and transfusions but not with mortality. Major bleeding per se was associated with a significantly increased mortality. Correct diagnosis is important to avoid DAPT and thereby reduce bleeding risk, but ongoing DAPT should not delay surgery.Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation University of Iceland Research Fund the Landspitali Research Fund Mats Kleberg Foundatio

Outcome After Surgery for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection With or Without Primary Tear Resection

Background: The outcome in patients after surgery for acute type A aortic dissection without replacement of the part of the aorta containing the primary tear is undefined. Methods: Data of 1122 patients who underwent surgery for acute type A aortic dissection in 8 Nordic centers from January 2005 to December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients with primary tear location unfound, unknown, not confirmed, or not recorded (n = 243, 21.7%) were excluded from the analysis. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether the aortic reconstruction encompassed the portion of the primary tear (tear resected [TR] group, n = 730) or not (tear not resected [TNR] group, n = 149). The restricted mean survival time ratios adjusted for patient characteristics and surgical details between the groups were calculated for all-cause mortality and aortic reoperation–free survival. The median follow-up time was 2.57 (interquartile range, 0.53-5.30) years. Results: For the majority of the patients in the TR group, the primary tear was located in the ascending aorta (83.6%). The reconstruction encompassed both the aortic root and the aortic arch in 7.4% in the TR group as compared with 0.7% in the TNR patients (P < .001). There were no significant differences in all-cause mortality (adjusted restricted mean survival time ratio, 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 0.92-1.12; P = .799) or reoperation-free survival (adjusted restricted mean survival time ratio, 0.98; 95% confidence interval, 0.95-1.02; P = .436) between the TR and TNR groups. Conclusions: Primary tear resection alone does not determine the midterm outcome after surgery for acute type A aortic dissection