The DeBakey classification exactly reflects late outcome and re-intervention probability in acute aortic dissection with a slightly modified type II definition

Objective: The DeBakey classification was used to discriminate the extent of acute aortic dissection (AD) and was correlated to long-term outcome and re-intervention rate. A slight modification of type II subgroup definition was applied by incorporating the aortic arch, when full resectability of the dissection process was given. Methods: Between January 2001 and March 2010, 118 patients (64% male, mean age 59 years) underwent surgery for acute AD. As many as 74 were operated on for type I and 44 for type II AD. Complete resection of all entry sites was performed, including antegrade stent grafting for proximal descending lesions. Results: Patients were comparable with respect to demographics and preoperative hemodynamic status. They underwent isolated ascending replacement, hemiarch, or total arch replacement in 7%, 26%, and 67% in type I, versus 27%, 37%, and 36% in type II, respectively. Additional descending stent grafting was performed in 33/74 (45%) type I patients. In-hospital mortality was 14%, 16% (12/74) in type I versus 9% (4/44, type II), p = 0.405. After 5 years, the estimated survival rate was 63% in type I versus 80% in type II, p = 0.135. In type II, no distal aortic re-intervention was required. In type I, the freedom of distal re-interventions was 82% in patients with additional stent grafting versus 53% in patients without, p = 0.022. Conclusions: The slightly modified DeBakey classification exactly reflects late outcome and aortic re-intervention probability. Thus, in type II patients, the aorta seems to be healed without any probability of later re-operation or re-intervention.