Type A aortic dissection is more aggressive in women

The aim of this study was to evaluate gender differences in the pre- and postoperative course in patients with acute aortic dissection type A.

Of all patients undergoing surgery from 2000 to 2020, data on symptoms at presentation, operative strategy and postoperative course were analyzed. Long-term follow-up was obtained through visits at our outpatient clinic or via telephone interviews.

Out of 394 patients, 32% (n = 126) were female. Women suffered from aortic dissection type A at an older age (women 67.5 years vs men 57 years; P > 0.001) and experienced a more aggressive preoperative course leading to critical presentation or even lethal rupture [women 7.9% (n = 10) vs men 2.2% (n = 6); P = 0.008]. Chest pain as initial symptom was more common in men [women 59.5% (n = 75) vs men 73.5% (n = 197); P = 0.005]. Perfusion of the right carotid was impaired more often [women 22.5% (n = 27) vs men 13.7% (n = 36); P = 0.031] and preoperative rate of neurological dysfunction was higher in women [women 23% (n = 29) vs men 14.2% (n = 38); P = 0.028]. Time from symptom onset to surgery did not differ between gender. Surgical repair was less extensive and faster in women. Female patients were more likely to suffer from postoperative neurological injury [women 23.8% (n = 30) vs men 10.2% (n = 40); P = 0.023]. We detected impaired 30-day and long-term survival in women.

Women represent an older and sicker patient collective. Preoperative course of aortic dissection type A is more aggressive and complicated in women. While time from onset of symptoms to surgery did not differ between gender, neurological outcome and survival were impaired in women.