Mid-long-term results after aortic arch repair using a four-branched graft with antegrade selective cerebral...

The purpose of this study is to evaluate mid-long-term results of aortic arch replacement.

Between 1992 and 2012, 263 consecutive patients underwent aortic arch repair in our institution. Follow-up rate was 92%, and 243 patients were enrolled in this study. Two hundred twelve patients (87%) underwent total arch replacement using a four-branched graft with antegrade selective cerebral perfusion. Ninety-nine patients (41%) were operated on for acute aortic dissection.

Hospital mortality was 13.2%. The mean follow-up duration was 3.6 ± 3.7 (0-19) years. Late mortality occurred in 38 patients, 4.3 ± 3.2 (0.3-14.1) years after surgery. The survival rates were 85%, 70%, and 50% at one, five, and 10 years. In the acute type A aortic dissection group, survival rate at one and five years was 86% and 79%. In the nonacute type A dissection group, one- and five-year survivals were 85% and 62% (log-rank test: p=0.0027). The causes of late mortality were respiratory failure in five, aortic aneurysm rupture in six, cancer in four, stroke in eight, others in seven, and unknown in eight. Twenty-six patients had another aortic intervention 3.6 ± 6.0 (0.04-19.6) years after arch repair. Seven patients had stroke after discharge 6.5 ± 3.9 (1.9-13.0) years after repair.

Mid-long-term results after aortic arch repair with antegrade selective cerebral perfusion were satisfactory. Acute type A aortic dissection did not negatively influence the mid-long-term survival.