Risk factors for neurological dysfunctions after surgical repair of acute aortic dissection type A

Technical improvement and new operative strategies significantly influence survival and outcomes after the treatment of acute aortic dissection type A (AADA). However, postoperative complications and particularly neurological dysfunctions (ND) are still very common.

To identify preoperative and intraoperative factors as well as immediate postoperative conditions with an influence on the occurrence of neurological complications of surgical treatment of AADA and accordingly take action to reduce them.

Between January 2013 and December 2018, 240 patients with AADA were emergently surgically treated. All patients were divided into two groups: group I - patients with postoperative ND (subgroup Ia - patients with mild, transient ND and Ib - patients with severe ND) and group II - patients without ND.

Neurological damage after the operation was registered in 87 (39.5%) patients. Thirty (13.6%) patients had mild ND and 57 (25.9%) severe. Presence of preoperative neurological deficit, reduced level of consciousness, supra-aortic vessel dissection, hemodynamic instability, and excessive postoperative bleeding with hypotension are factors with a highly statistically significant association with the occurrence of severe ND. Neurological complications were not identified in 66.7% of patients who were axillary cannulated versus 55.9% of patients cannulated in the other way but the difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.1099).

Advanced neuroprotective strategies during surgical treatment of AADA are associated with favorable neurological outcomes, especially in a group of patients with identified risk factors for ND.