Multicenter early experience with extended aortic repair in acute aortic dissection: Is simultaneous descending stent grafting justified?

Objective In acute type A aortic dissection, the extension of repair to downstream aorta has been controversially discussed. We present the early results of a multicenter study using a hybrid stent graft prosthesis. Methods Between January 2005 and January 2010, the data from 191 patients after combined proximal aortic replacement and antegrade stent grafting were collected in the database of the International E-vita open Registry. Of the 191 patients, 68 underwent surgery for acute aortic dissection and were included in the present study. Hypothermic circulatory arrest and selective cerebral perfusion were routinely used. Computed aortic imaging was performed for false lumen evaluation during follow-up. Results The in-hospital mortality rate was 13% (9/68). Along the stent graft, the rate of immediate complete false lumen thrombosis was 86% (51/59) and increased during follow-up (23 ± 17 months) to 94% (46/49). Distally, complete or partial false lumen thrombosis was initially observed in 61% (36/59) and in 82% (40/49) after follow-up. The 1- and 3-year actuarial survival rate was 82% and 74%, respectively. Conclusions Extended thoracic aortic repair of acute aortic dissection with a hybrid stent graft is feasible at acceptable early mortality and promotes false lumen thrombosis around the stent graft and below.