[Surgical treatment of acute dissection of the ascending aorta]

The authors present 20 cases of acute dissection of the aorta operated on between 1967 and 1974, and 8 more recent cases operated on in 1975-1976. The various factors in diagnosis and surgical treatment are discussed. The results that 60% of patients survive to leave hospital, and the long-term survival (with a mean follow-up of 3 years) is 45%. The main determining factor is survival time appears to be the age of the patient. The authors concluded by advocating operation for all cases of acute dissection of the aorta in patients under 45. Conversely, operation in not advised in patients over 60 years of age.