Cerebral infarction and risk factors in acute type A aortic dissection with arch branch extension

ABSTRACT Objective Stanford type A aortic dissection (AAD) may affect the supra‐aortic arteries, which are associated with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA). This study aimed to investigate cerebral perfusion, the infarction incidence and risk factors in AAD patients. Methods A total of 156 consecutive AAD patients were enrolled and divided into two groups according to whether the aortic arch branches were involved: the affected group (n = 90) and the unaffected group (n = 66). Clinical, echocardiographic/carotid Doppler data and cerebral infarction morbidity were compared between the groups. Independent predictors of 30‐day AAD mortality were identified through multivariable Cox regression, and perioperative risk factors were analyzed. Results In total, 57.7% of AAD patients had aortic arch branch involvement. Abnormal Doppler waveforms were more common in the affected group (p