The effect of postoperative malperfusion after surgical treatment of type A acute aortic dissection on early and mid-term survival

Aim: To evaluate whether postoperative malperfusion (PM) affected in-hospital and long-term survival in acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) surgical patients and to identify risk factors for PM.Methods: Patients who underwent AAAD surgery at a single institution between January 2005 and March 2015 were retrospectively analyzed.Results: Two-hundred fourteen patients with complete data were identified. At presentation, 119 patients (55.6%) showed preoperative malperfusions: 68 (31.8%) were cerebral, 38 (17.7%) were renal, and 13 (6.1%) were mesenteric. PM was found in 55 patients (25.7%). In-hospital mortality was 47.3% (26/55) vs. 22.6% (36/159) in PM and non-PM patients, respectively (P < 0.0001). Independent predictors for in-hospital mortality included being 75 years or older [odds ratio (OR): 1.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03-1.13, P < 0.001] and having renal PM (OR: 53.5, 95% CI: 3.97-721.3, P < 0.01). Five-year survival was 78.6 ± 7.8% vs. 93.9 ± 3.4% in PM and non-PM patients, respectively (P < 0.001). Independent predictors for long-term survival were being at least 75 years old (OR: 3.7, 95% CI: 0.9-14.0, P = 0.05) and having renal PM (OR: 28.6, 95% CI: 1.8-462.0, P = 0.01). PM and intimal tears distal to the ascending aorta or the proximal aortic arch were also risk factors.Conclusion: PM, especially with renal involvement, is associated with in-hospital mortality and reduced long-term survival. AAAD surgeries reduced preoperative malperfusions. Sites of cannulation and interventions requiring circulatory arrest during cardiopulmonary bypass were not predictors of PM