Selective management of acute type B aortic dissection: long-term follow-up

Since 1985, we have selectively treated acute type B aortic dissections. Initial treatment lowered blood pressure and heart rate. Transesophageal echocardiography and computed tomographic scans were used to diagnose and follow up the patients. Patients were operated on for organ ischemia, pain, hypertension, or increasing subpleural fluid on computed tomographic scan.

We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients admitted over a 10-year period to the Mt. Sinai Hospital.

From August 1985 to May 1995, 68 patients were seen. Three died soon after admission during initial diagnostic evaluation. Seventeen patients underwent operation without mortality or paraplegia (group 1). Forty-seven of 48 patients treated nonoperatively were discharged; 1 patient died of rupture on day 7 (group 2). Actuarial survival for all 68 patients at 1 and 5 years was 92% +/- 4% and 82% +/- 8%. Group 1 survival was 93% +/- 4% and 68% +/- 5%, and group 2 survival was 90% +/- 6% and 87% +/-14%. There were no differences between groups. Late intervention was required in 2 group 1 patients (12%) and in 12 of 48 group 2 patients (25%), again without mortality or paraplegia.

This experience suggests that selective management of acute type B aortic dissection results in acceptable short-term and long-term survival. Avoiding early operation did not compromise late results.