Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026

Full-root Aortic Valve Replacement by Stentless Aortic Xenografts in Patients with Small Aortic Roots
Published on: May 21, 2017
Long-term outcomes after thoracic aortic surgery: a population-based study
Jennifer Higgins1, May K Lee2, Caroll Co3
1Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Insights
Long-term survival after open thoracic aortic surgery is excellent, with 77.7% survival at 5 years. Improved outcomes are seen in the modern era, aiding risk stratification for patient selection.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Thoracic Aortic Surgery
- Surgical Outcomes
Background:
- Long-term survival after open thoracic aortic surgery is not well-documented.
- Open aortic surgery may offer superior durability compared to endovascular techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine long-term survival rates after open thoracic aortic surgery.
- To identify predictors of mortality in patients undergoing this procedure.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a provincial database of adult patients undergoing primary open thoracic aortic surgery (1993-2010).
- Kaplan-Meier survival analyses and multivariate analyses to identify mortality predictors.
Main Results:
- Overall 30-day mortality was 9.1%; 5-year survival was 77.7%.
- Improved long-term survival observed in the modern era, for elective surgeries, and ascending aorta/root procedures.
- Preoperative factors like age >65, renal failure, COPD, and cerebrovascular accident were associated with decreased survival.
Conclusions:
- Elective thoracic aortic surgery demonstrates excellent long-term survival, with outcomes improving over time.
- Identified preoperative risk factors can aid in risk stratification and patient selection.
- Established survival rates serve as a benchmark for new aortic interventions.
Objective:
Long-term survival after aortic surgery has remained largely unexplored, despite suggestions of superior durability compared with endovascular techniques. The objective of the present study was to determine the long-term survival after open thoracic aortic surgery and to identify the predictors of mortality.
Methods:
The provincial database was accessed to identify all adult patients who had undergone primary open thoracic aortic surgery in British Columbia since 1993. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were performed for the entire group and by year of surgery, urgency of surgery, and aortic segment requiring surgery. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify the predictors of mortality.
Results:
From January 1993 to June 2010, 1960 patients underwent primary open thoracic aortic surgery at 4 hospitals in British Columbia. Overall, the 30-day mortality was 9.1%, with a perioperative stroke rate of 5.8%. Long-term survival was 77.7%, 59.6%, and 44.7% at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. Subanalyses demonstrated improved long-term survival in the modern era; among patients undergoing elective aortic surgery; and among patients undergoing surgery on the ascending aorta or aortic root (P < .0001). The preoperative characteristics associated with decreased long-term survival included age older than 65 years, acute renal failure, dialysis, cerebrovascular accident, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, peripheral vascular disease, and descending or thoracoabdominal aorta surgery.
Conclusions:
Long-term survival after elective thoracic aortic surgery is excellent, with improved outcomes in the modern era. Several preoperative risk factors associated with decreased survival were identified, which could assist in risk stratification and patient selection. Finally, the long-term survival rates identified in the present study should serve as a benchmark to which new aortic interventions should be compared.
Related Concept Videos
Aneurysm IV: Nursing Management
Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Aneurysm III: Interprofessional Care
Aortic Regurgitation III: Medical Management
Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
Aortic Regurgitation I: Introduction