Aortic valve preservation in acute type A dissection: mid-term results

The study aim was to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of a strategy for managing the aortic valve, aortic root and ascending aorta according to the pathology in acute aortic type A dissection. Results after surgery for acute type A dissection with preservation of the aortic valve were reviewed.

The patient group included 57 hospital survivors operated on according to a surgical strategy of aortic valve resuspension and supracoronary ascending aortic graft implantation. Reinforcement of the aortic stumps with gelatin-resorcinol-formaldehyde glue was performed in all patients. Aortic valve function in all survivors was investigated by echocardiographic follow up at 30 days, 6 and 12 months after surgery, and yearly thereafter.

During the follow up period, nine patients (16%) died without reoperation. Actuarial probability of freedom from reoperation for aortic valve failure in the complete series was estimated as 100% after both 30 days and 12 months. Postoperatively, one patient underwent reoperation 14 months for aortic regurgitation, and three patients for aortic regurgitation with sinus of Valsalva dilatation between 48 and 88 months. The hospital mortality rate at reoperation was 50% (n = 2).

Valve-sparing surgery is possible and can be recommended for the majority of patients with acute type A aortic dissection.