Clinical features and surgical outcomes of type A intramural hematoma

Data on the clinical features and surgical outcomes of type A intramural hematoma (IMH) in Chinese patients are very limited. We aimed to present the surgical experiences on type A IMH in our center, and report early and late outcomes.

From February 2012 to April 2018, 106 consecutive patients underwent open surgery for type A IMH at our hospital. We adopted emergent operation for patients with cardiac tamponade or other severe complications, and recommended initial medical treatment followed by elective surgery for stable patients. The composite endpoints included operative mortality, permanent nerve damage (stroke, paraplegia), and new-onset renal failure necessitating hemodialysis. Risk factors for operative mortality and the composite endpoints were identified using univariable and multivariable logistic regression model analysis. The survival and freedom from aortic events were analyzed using a Kaplan-Meier surviving curve and a log-rank test.

Except 1 patient receiving emergent surgery (within 24 hours from onset) because of cardiac tamponade and cerebral malperfusion, all patients received initial medical treatment and delayed surgery. Two patient developed pericardial tamponade while waiting for surgery, and then received emergent surgery. Preoperative conversion to aortic dissection (AD) was noted in no patient. The operative techniques included ascending aorta replacement in 9 patients, hemiarch replacement in 18 patients, total arch replacement (TAR) with frozen elephant trunk (FET) in 45 patient and hybrid aortic arch repair in 34 patients. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time and cross-clamp time were 138.7±41.6 and 79.3±27.8 min, respectively. The operative mortality was 1.9% (2/106). And the composite endpoints occurred in 7 patients. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed CPB time ≥200 min and chronic kidney disease were risk factors for the composite endpoints. The follow-up data were available in 97 survivors, with the mean follow-up time of 30.8±16.2 months. Three patients died and 5 patients developed aortic events during the follow-up. The overall survival at 1-, 3- and 5-year were 97.0%, 95.3%, and 79.4%, respectively. And freedom from aortic events at 1-, 3- and 5-year were 97.7%, 95.3% and 89.4%, respectively.

Our strategy had got low mortality and excellent mid-term survival in patients with type A IMH. Therefore, our strategy was suitable for the surgical repair of type A IMH in Chinese population.