HSPB6 Deficiency Promotes the Development of Aortic Dissection and Rupture.

To better understand the pathogenesis of acute type A aortic dissection, high-sensitivity liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based proteomics and phosphoproteomics approaches were used to identify differential proteins. Heat shock protein family B (small) member 6 (HSPB6) in aortic dissection was significantly reduced in human and mouse aortic dissection samples by real-time PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining techniques. Using an HSPB6-knockout mouse, we investigated the potential role of HSPB6 in β-aminopropionitrile monofumarate-induced aortic dissection. We found increased mortality and increased probability of ascending aortic dissection after HSPB6 knockout compared with wild-type mice. Mechanistically, our data suggest that HSPB6 deletion promoted vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis. More importantly, HSPB6 deletion attenuated cofilin activity, leading to excessive smooth muscle cell stiffness and eventually resulting in the development of aortic dissection and rupture. Our data suggest that excessive stiffness of vascular smooth muscle cells caused by HSPB6 deficiency is a new pathogenetic mechanism leading to aortic dissection.

Midterm Outcomes of One-Stage Hybrid Aortic Arch Repair for Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection: A Single Center's Experience.

This study sought to identify the midterm outcomes of one-stage hybrid aortic arch repair (HAAR) in patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection (TAAD). Between January 2010 and December 2015, 75 consecutive patients with TAAD involving the aortic arch who underwent one-stage type Ⅱ HAAR at our institution were identified. During this period, 496 consecutive patients with TAAD underwent traditional total aortic arch replacement (TAR) with frozen elephant trunk. The preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative data of all patients were compared. A propensity score-matching analysis was applied to adjust for baseline risk factors. Five hundred and seventy-one patients were included for analysis (428 men; mean age, 48.9 ± 11.1 years). For all patients, the mean follow-up time was 41.1 ± 22.1 months, in-hospital mortality was 4.7%, and the 5-year survival rate was 89.5%. Midterm outcomes between the propensity-matched groups were compared (59 HAAR vs TAR pairs). HAAR group showed shorter cardiopulmonary bypass time (105-159 minutes vs 158-230 minutes, P < 0.001), aortic cross-clamping time, postoperative ventilation time, and intensive care unit stays (33-108 hours vs 45-131 hours, P = 0.010) than the TAR group. There were no significant differences in in-hospital mortality, rate of stroke and rate of paraplegia between the 2 groups, however, better 5-year survival rate was found in HAAR group (94.9% vs 75.8%, Log-rank P = 0.005). As compared to propensity matched cohort of TAR patients, HAAR shows good midterm outcomes for patients with TAAD. Further randomized study was needed to clarify the optimal management strategy of TAAD.

Current Surgical Management of Acute Type A Aortic Dissection in China: A Multicenter Registry Study.

Background:Many countries and regions have established multicenter registration studies to improve the outcomes of acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD).Objectives:The aims of this study were to report actual preoperative management, surgery type, and early outcomes of surgical treatment for ATAAD in China.Methods:This cohort study uses data from the China Registry of Type A Aortic Dissection, a national clinical registry to investigate management of patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection. The data, including surgical management and outcomes of patients with ATAAD, were analyzed from January 2018 to December 2021.Results:A total of 1,058 patients with ATAAD were enrolled in this study between January 2018 and December 2021. The mean age of all patients was 51.6 ±11.7 years. The median interval from onset to hospital was 10.65 hours (IQR: 6-24 hours), and the median interval from entering the emergency room to starting operation was 13 hours (IQR: 4.08-28.7 hours). Total arch repair was performed in 938 patients (88.7%), and frozen elephant trunk repair was performed in 800 patients (75.6%). The incidence of early mortality was 7.6%.Conclusions:The population of patients with ATAAD in China experienced a longer interval from onset to arrival at the hospital, received more extensive aortic arch repair, and showed a relatively lower early mortality. These findings suggest that there may be a huge survivor bias in patients with ATAAD in China, more efforts should be made to promote prehospital emergency care and preoperative management of Chinese ATAAD patients. (A multicenter registration study of aortic dissection in China; ChiCTR1800015338).

Ascending Aortoiliac Bypass for One-Stage Repair of Adult Aortic Coarctation With Concomitant Cardiac Lesions.

BACKGROUND:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ascending aortoiliac bypass surgery for one-stage repair of adult coarctation of the aorta (CoA) and concomitant cardiac disease.METHODS:From March 2012 to October 2018, 51 consecutive CoA patients were treated with ascending aorta to bilateral iliac artery bypass concomitant with and cardiac surgerical procedures performed for a variety of reasons. A Y-shaped graft was used for the bypass procedure. We evaluated early outcomes, including postoperative death, systolic blood pressure and differences between upper and lower limb blood pressure.RESULTS:The average age was 41 years and 64.7% of patients were men. Simultaneous cardiac procedures included aortic valve replacement, ventricular septal defect repair, Bentall procedures and Wheat procedures. No deaths occurred in the early postoperative period. Three patients had delayed healing at the site of the abdominal lower quadrant incisions. The average systolic pressure in the upper limb and the average difference between the upper- and lower-limb blood pressure decreased significantly after surgery (162.7 ± 13.4 mmHg vs 128.4 ± 6.7 mmHg, P = .000; 69.6 ± 15.6 mmHg vs 8.7 ± 7.6 mmHg, P = .000, respectively); The systolic blood pressure in the lower limb increased after bypass surgery (93.1 ± 6.2 mmHg vs 119.6 ± 7.7 mmHg, P = .000). The follow-up rate was 100%, with an average follow-up time of 61 months. Six patients (11.8%) had graft stenosis or occlusion. Three patients (5.9%) underwent endovascular embolectomy.CONCLUSIONS:In our small series, ascending aortoiliac bypass for one-stage repair of CoA with concomitant cardiac lesions appears safe and efficacious in effectively reduceing differences between upper and lower limb systolic blood pressure. Further study with larger sample size and longer follow-up is needed.

Early Outcomes of Three Total Arch Replacement Strategies for DeBakey Type I Aortic Dissection.

Background: This study employed three surgical techniques: total arch replacement (TAR) with frozen elephant trunk (FET), aortic balloon occlusion technique (ABO) and hybrid aortic arch repair (HAR) on patients with type I aortic dissection in Fuwai Hospital, aiming to compare the early outcomes of these surgical armamentariums. Methods: From January 2016 to December 2018, an overall 633 patients (431 of TAR+FET, 122 of HAR, and 80 of ABO) with type I aortic dissection were included in the study. Thirty-day mortality, stroke, paraplegia, re-exploration for bleeding, and renal replacement therapy were compared using the matching weight method (MWM). Results: After MWM process, the baseline characteristics were comparable among three TAR groups. It showed that ABO group had the longest cardiopulmonary bypass (p < 0.001) and aortic cross-clamp time (p < 0.001), while the operation time was longest in the HAR group (p = 0.039). There was no significant difference in 30-day mortality among groups (p = 0.783). Furthermore, the incidence of stroke (p = 0.679), paraplegia (p = 0.104), re-exploration for bleeding (p = 0.313), and CRRT (p = 0.834) demonstrated no significant difference. Of note, no significant differences were found regarding these outcomes even before using MWM. Conclusions: Based on the early outcomes, the three TAR approaches were equally applicable to type I aortic dissection. We may choose the specific procedure relatively flexibly according to patient status and surgeon's expertise. Importantly, long-term investigations are warranted to determine whether above approaches remain to be of equivalent efficacy and safety.

New-Onset Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation After Total Arch Repair Is Associated With Increased In-Hospital Mortality.

Background It is well established that postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is associated with adverse postoperative outcomes after major cardiac operations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of new-onset POAF after successful total arch repair surgery and the association between POAF and in-hospital mortality. Methods and Results All consecutive patients undergoing total arch repair from September 2012 to December 2019 in Fuwai hospital were enrolled (n=1280). Patients diagnosed with preoperative atrial fibrillation were excluded. POAF was diagnosed as the new-onset atrial fibrillation or flutter for more than 5 minutes based on continuous electrocardiogram monitoring. A logistic regression model was used to determine predictors of in-hospital mortality. Multivariable adjustment, inverse probability of treatment weighting, and propensity score matching were used to adjust for confounders. POAF was diagnosed in 32.3% (411/1271) of this cohort population. The occurrence of new-onset POAF was associated with age (odds ratio [OR], 1.05; 95% CI, 1.04-1.06; P<0.001), male sex (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.52-0.98; P=0.035), and surgery duration (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.12-1.28; P<0.001). The in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in patients with POAF than those without POAF (10.7% versus 2.4%, P<0.001). Inverse probability of treatment weighting and propensity score matching analyses confirmed the results. The increased in-hospital mortality in POAF group still existed among subgroup analysis based on different age, sex, hypertension, smoking, and hypokalemia, combined with cardiac surgery, and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Conclusions More careful attention should be given to POAF after total arch repair surgery. The incidence of POAF after total arch repair surgery was 32.3% and associated with increased in-hospital mortality. The elderly female patient who experienced longer operation duration was at highest risk for POAF.

It Is Advisable to Control the Duration of Hypothermia Circulatory Arrest During Aortic Dissection Surgery: Single-Center Experience.

Objective: The duration of hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) is one of the important factors affecting the prognosis of arch surgery, which is still controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of HCA duration on early prognosis in type A aortic dissection (TAAD) patients who underwent arch surgery in our center. Methods: All consecutive patients who underwent surgical treatment for TAAD in Fuwai Hospital from January 2013 to December 2018 were included in this study and divided into four quartile groups based on HCA time. Baseline characteristics, perioperative indicators, and early mortality were statistically analyzed by propensity score matching (PSM) and restricted cubic spline (RCS) method. Perioperative adverse events were confirmed according to the American STS database and Penn classification. Results: About 1,018 consecutive patients (mean age 49.11 ± 1.4 years, male 74.7%) with TAAD treated surgically were eventually included in this study. After PSM, with the prolongation of HCA time, the surgical mortality rates of group [2,15], (15,18], (18,22], and (22,73] were 4.1, 6.6, 7.8, and 10.9% with p = 0.041, respectively. As shown in RCS, the mortality rate increased sharply after the HCA time exceeded 22 min. And from the subgroup analysis, the HCA time of 22 min or less was associated with better clinical outcomes (OR 2.09, 95%CI 1.25-3.45, p = 0.004). Conclusions: The early mortality increases significantly with the duration of HCA time when arch surgery was performed. And multiple systems throughout the body can be adversely affected.

Optimal Degree of Hypothermia in Total Arch Replacement for Type A Aortic Dissection.

Background: We sought to investigate the best degree of hypothermic cardiac arrest (HCA) in type A aortic dissection (TAAD) with a cohort of 1,018 cases receiving total arch replacement from 2013 to 2018 in Fuwai Hospital. Method: The cohort was divided by DHCA (≤24°C, n = 580) vs. MHCA (>24°C, n = 438), and interquartile range (Q1-Q4). Primary endpoints included mortality, stroke, paraplegia, and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), which were summarized as composite major outcomes (CMO). Results: The Odds Ratio (OR) of CMO for MHCA was 0.7 (95% CI: 0.5-1.0, p = 0.06) (unadjusted) and 0.6 (95% CI: 0.4-1.0, p = 0.055) (adjusted). DHCA group tended to have a significantly longer CPB time (175.6 ± 45.6 vs. 166.8 ± 49.8 min, p = 0.003), longer hospital stay (16.0 ± 13.6 vs. 13.5 ± 6.8 days, p < 0.001), and ICU stay [5.0 (3.9-6.6) vs. 3.8 (2.0-5.6) days]. A significantly greater blood loss was observed in DHCA group, with a greater requirement for RBC and platelet transfusion. Of note, MHCA showed a significant protective effect (60% risk reduction) for older patients (above 60 years) (OR 0.4; 95% CI: 0.2-0.8; p = 0.009). By quartering, Q1 had significantly higher mortality (10.9%) than Q4 (5.2%) (p = 0.035). For other comparisons, the gap was significantly widened in quartering between Q1 and Q4, i.e., the lower the temperature, the worse the outcomes, and vice versa. Propensity score matching and sensitivity analyses confirmed the above findings. Conclusions: A paradigm change from DHCA to MHCA may be encouraged in TAAD arch operation, especially for the elderly.

A New Aortic Arch Dissection Classification: The Fuwai Classification.

Aims: We describe a new aortic arch dissection (AcD) classification, which we have called the Fuwai classification. We then compare the clinical characteristics and long-term prognoses of different classifications. Methods: All AcD patients who underwent surgical procedures at Fuwai Hospital from 2010 to 2015 were included in the study. AcD procedures are divided into three types: Fuwai type Cp, Ct, and Cd. Type Cp is defined as the innominate artery or combined with the left carotid artery involved. Type Cd is defined as the left subclavian artery or combined with the left carotid artery involved. All other AcD surgeries are defined as type Ct. The Chi-square test was adopted for the pairwise comparison among the three types. Kaplan-Meier was used for the analysis of long-term survival and survival free of reoperation. Results: In total, 1,063 AcD patients were enrolled from 2010 to 2015: 54 patients were type Cp, 832 were type Ct, and 177 were type Cd. The highest operation proportion of Cp, Ct and Cd were partial arch replacement, total arch replacement, and TEVAR. The surgical mortality in type Ct was higher compared to type Cd (Ct vs. Cd = 9.38 vs. 1.69%, p < 0.01) and type Cp (Ct vs. Cp = 9.38 vs. 1.85%, p = 0.06). There was no difference in surgical mortality of type Cp and Cd (p = 0.93). There were no significant differences in the long-term survival rates (p = 0.38) and free of aorta-related re-operations (p = 0.19). Conclusion: The Fuwai classification is used to distinguish different AcDs. Different AcDs have different surgical mortality and use different operation methods, but they have similar long-term results.

Mid-term results of hybrid arch repair for DeBakey type I aortic dissection.

HSPB6 Deficiency Promotes the Development of Aortic Dissection and Rupture.

To better understand the pathogenesis of acute type A aortic dissection, high-sensitivity liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based proteomics and phosphoproteomics approaches were used to identify differential proteins. Heat shock protein family B (small) member 6 (HSPB6) in aortic dissection was significantly reduced in human and mouse aortic dissection samples by real-time PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining techniques. Using an HSPB6-knockout mouse, we investigated the potential role of HSPB6 in β-aminopropionitrile monofumarate-induced aortic dissection. We found increased mortality and increased probability of ascending aortic dissection after HSPB6 knockout compared with wild-type mice. Mechanistically, our data suggest that HSPB6 deletion promoted vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis. More importantly, HSPB6 deletion attenuated cofilin activity, leading to excessive smooth muscle cell stiffness and eventually resulting in the development of aortic dissection and rupture. Our data suggest that excessive stiffness of vascular smooth muscle cells caused by HSPB6 deficiency is a new pathogenetic mechanism leading to aortic dissection.

Midterm Outcomes of One-Stage Hybrid Aortic Arch Repair for Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection: A Single Center's Experience.

This study sought to identify the midterm outcomes of one-stage hybrid aortic arch repair (HAAR) in patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection (TAAD). Between January 2010 and December 2015, 75 consecutive patients with TAAD involving the aortic arch who underwent one-stage type Ⅱ HAAR at our institution were identified. During this period, 496 consecutive patients with TAAD underwent traditional total aortic arch replacement (TAR) with frozen elephant trunk. The preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative data of all patients were compared. A propensity score-matching analysis was applied to adjust for baseline risk factors. Five hundred and seventy-one patients were included for analysis (428 men; mean age, 48.9 ± 11.1 years). For all patients, the mean follow-up time was 41.1 ± 22.1 months, in-hospital mortality was 4.7%, and the 5-year survival rate was 89.5%. Midterm outcomes between the propensity-matched groups were compared (59 HAAR vs TAR pairs). HAAR group showed shorter cardiopulmonary bypass time (105-159 minutes vs 158-230 minutes, P < 0.001), aortic cross-clamping time, postoperative ventilation time, and intensive care unit stays (33-108 hours vs 45-131 hours, P = 0.010) than the TAR group. There were no significant differences in in-hospital mortality, rate of stroke and rate of paraplegia between the 2 groups, however, better 5-year survival rate was found in HAAR group (94.9% vs 75.8%, Log-rank P = 0.005). As compared to propensity matched cohort of TAR patients, HAAR shows good midterm outcomes for patients with TAAD. Further randomized study was needed to clarify the optimal management strategy of TAAD.

Current Surgical Management of Acute Type A Aortic Dissection in China: A Multicenter Registry Study.

Background:Many countries and regions have established multicenter registration studies to improve the outcomes of acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD).Objectives:The aims of this study were to report actual preoperative management, surgery type, and early outcomes of surgical treatment for ATAAD in China.Methods:This cohort study uses data from the China Registry of Type A Aortic Dissection, a national clinical registry to investigate management of patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection. The data, including surgical management and outcomes of patients with ATAAD, were analyzed from January 2018 to December 2021.Results:A total of 1,058 patients with ATAAD were enrolled in this study between January 2018 and December 2021. The mean age of all patients was 51.6 ±11.7 years. The median interval from onset to hospital was 10.65 hours (IQR: 6-24 hours), and the median interval from entering the emergency room to starting operation was 13 hours (IQR: 4.08-28.7 hours). Total arch repair was performed in 938 patients (88.7%), and frozen elephant trunk repair was performed in 800 patients (75.6%). The incidence of early mortality was 7.6%.Conclusions:The population of patients with ATAAD in China experienced a longer interval from onset to arrival at the hospital, received more extensive aortic arch repair, and showed a relatively lower early mortality. These findings suggest that there may be a huge survivor bias in patients with ATAAD in China, more efforts should be made to promote prehospital emergency care and preoperative management of Chinese ATAAD patients. (A multicenter registration study of aortic dissection in China; ChiCTR1800015338).

Ascending Aortoiliac Bypass for One-Stage Repair of Adult Aortic Coarctation With Concomitant Cardiac Lesions.

BACKGROUND:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ascending aortoiliac bypass surgery for one-stage repair of adult coarctation of the aorta (CoA) and concomitant cardiac disease.METHODS:From March 2012 to October 2018, 51 consecutive CoA patients were treated with ascending aorta to bilateral iliac artery bypass concomitant with and cardiac surgerical procedures performed for a variety of reasons. A Y-shaped graft was used for the bypass procedure. We evaluated early outcomes, including postoperative death, systolic blood pressure and differences between upper and lower limb blood pressure.RESULTS:The average age was 41 years and 64.7% of patients were men. Simultaneous cardiac procedures included aortic valve replacement, ventricular septal defect repair, Bentall procedures and Wheat procedures. No deaths occurred in the early postoperative period. Three patients had delayed healing at the site of the abdominal lower quadrant incisions. The average systolic pressure in the upper limb and the average difference between the upper- and lower-limb blood pressure decreased significantly after surgery (162.7 ± 13.4 mmHg vs 128.4 ± 6.7 mmHg, P = .000; 69.6 ± 15.6 mmHg vs 8.7 ± 7.6 mmHg, P = .000, respectively); The systolic blood pressure in the lower limb increased after bypass surgery (93.1 ± 6.2 mmHg vs 119.6 ± 7.7 mmHg, P = .000). The follow-up rate was 100%, with an average follow-up time of 61 months. Six patients (11.8%) had graft stenosis or occlusion. Three patients (5.9%) underwent endovascular embolectomy.CONCLUSIONS:In our small series, ascending aortoiliac bypass for one-stage repair of CoA with concomitant cardiac lesions appears safe and efficacious in effectively reduceing differences between upper and lower limb systolic blood pressure. Further study with larger sample size and longer follow-up is needed.

Early Outcomes of Three Total Arch Replacement Strategies for DeBakey Type I Aortic Dissection.

Background: This study employed three surgical techniques: total arch replacement (TAR) with frozen elephant trunk (FET), aortic balloon occlusion technique (ABO) and hybrid aortic arch repair (HAR) on patients with type I aortic dissection in Fuwai Hospital, aiming to compare the early outcomes of these surgical armamentariums. Methods: From January 2016 to December 2018, an overall 633 patients (431 of TAR+FET, 122 of HAR, and 80 of ABO) with type I aortic dissection were included in the study. Thirty-day mortality, stroke, paraplegia, re-exploration for bleeding, and renal replacement therapy were compared using the matching weight method (MWM). Results: After MWM process, the baseline characteristics were comparable among three TAR groups. It showed that ABO group had the longest cardiopulmonary bypass (p < 0.001) and aortic cross-clamp time (p < 0.001), while the operation time was longest in the HAR group (p = 0.039). There was no significant difference in 30-day mortality among groups (p = 0.783). Furthermore, the incidence of stroke (p = 0.679), paraplegia (p = 0.104), re-exploration for bleeding (p = 0.313), and CRRT (p = 0.834) demonstrated no significant difference. Of note, no significant differences were found regarding these outcomes even before using MWM. Conclusions: Based on the early outcomes, the three TAR approaches were equally applicable to type I aortic dissection. We may choose the specific procedure relatively flexibly according to patient status and surgeon's expertise. Importantly, long-term investigations are warranted to determine whether above approaches remain to be of equivalent efficacy and safety.

New-Onset Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation After Total Arch Repair Is Associated With Increased In-Hospital Mortality.

Background It is well established that postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is associated with adverse postoperative outcomes after major cardiac operations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of new-onset POAF after successful total arch repair surgery and the association between POAF and in-hospital mortality. Methods and Results All consecutive patients undergoing total arch repair from September 2012 to December 2019 in Fuwai hospital were enrolled (n=1280). Patients diagnosed with preoperative atrial fibrillation were excluded. POAF was diagnosed as the new-onset atrial fibrillation or flutter for more than 5 minutes based on continuous electrocardiogram monitoring. A logistic regression model was used to determine predictors of in-hospital mortality. Multivariable adjustment, inverse probability of treatment weighting, and propensity score matching were used to adjust for confounders. POAF was diagnosed in 32.3% (411/1271) of this cohort population. The occurrence of new-onset POAF was associated with age (odds ratio [OR], 1.05; 95% CI, 1.04-1.06; P<0.001), male sex (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.52-0.98; P=0.035), and surgery duration (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.12-1.28; P<0.001). The in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in patients with POAF than those without POAF (10.7% versus 2.4%, P<0.001). Inverse probability of treatment weighting and propensity score matching analyses confirmed the results. The increased in-hospital mortality in POAF group still existed among subgroup analysis based on different age, sex, hypertension, smoking, and hypokalemia, combined with cardiac surgery, and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Conclusions More careful attention should be given to POAF after total arch repair surgery. The incidence of POAF after total arch repair surgery was 32.3% and associated with increased in-hospital mortality. The elderly female patient who experienced longer operation duration was at highest risk for POAF.

It Is Advisable to Control the Duration of Hypothermia Circulatory Arrest During Aortic Dissection Surgery: Single-Center Experience.

Objective: The duration of hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) is one of the important factors affecting the prognosis of arch surgery, which is still controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of HCA duration on early prognosis in type A aortic dissection (TAAD) patients who underwent arch surgery in our center. Methods: All consecutive patients who underwent surgical treatment for TAAD in Fuwai Hospital from January 2013 to December 2018 were included in this study and divided into four quartile groups based on HCA time. Baseline characteristics, perioperative indicators, and early mortality were statistically analyzed by propensity score matching (PSM) and restricted cubic spline (RCS) method. Perioperative adverse events were confirmed according to the American STS database and Penn classification. Results: About 1,018 consecutive patients (mean age 49.11 ± 1.4 years, male 74.7%) with TAAD treated surgically were eventually included in this study. After PSM, with the prolongation of HCA time, the surgical mortality rates of group [2,15], (15,18], (18,22], and (22,73] were 4.1, 6.6, 7.8, and 10.9% with p = 0.041, respectively. As shown in RCS, the mortality rate increased sharply after the HCA time exceeded 22 min. And from the subgroup analysis, the HCA time of 22 min or less was associated with better clinical outcomes (OR 2.09, 95%CI 1.25-3.45, p = 0.004). Conclusions: The early mortality increases significantly with the duration of HCA time when arch surgery was performed. And multiple systems throughout the body can be adversely affected.

Optimal Degree of Hypothermia in Total Arch Replacement for Type A Aortic Dissection.

Background: We sought to investigate the best degree of hypothermic cardiac arrest (HCA) in type A aortic dissection (TAAD) with a cohort of 1,018 cases receiving total arch replacement from 2013 to 2018 in Fuwai Hospital. Method: The cohort was divided by DHCA (≤24°C, n = 580) vs. MHCA (>24°C, n = 438), and interquartile range (Q1-Q4). Primary endpoints included mortality, stroke, paraplegia, and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), which were summarized as composite major outcomes (CMO). Results: The Odds Ratio (OR) of CMO for MHCA was 0.7 (95% CI: 0.5-1.0, p = 0.06) (unadjusted) and 0.6 (95% CI: 0.4-1.0, p = 0.055) (adjusted). DHCA group tended to have a significantly longer CPB time (175.6 ± 45.6 vs. 166.8 ± 49.8 min, p = 0.003), longer hospital stay (16.0 ± 13.6 vs. 13.5 ± 6.8 days, p < 0.001), and ICU stay [5.0 (3.9-6.6) vs. 3.8 (2.0-5.6) days]. A significantly greater blood loss was observed in DHCA group, with a greater requirement for RBC and platelet transfusion. Of note, MHCA showed a significant protective effect (60% risk reduction) for older patients (above 60 years) (OR 0.4; 95% CI: 0.2-0.8; p = 0.009). By quartering, Q1 had significantly higher mortality (10.9%) than Q4 (5.2%) (p = 0.035). For other comparisons, the gap was significantly widened in quartering between Q1 and Q4, i.e., the lower the temperature, the worse the outcomes, and vice versa. Propensity score matching and sensitivity analyses confirmed the above findings. Conclusions: A paradigm change from DHCA to MHCA may be encouraged in TAAD arch operation, especially for the elderly.

A New Aortic Arch Dissection Classification: The Fuwai Classification.

Aims: We describe a new aortic arch dissection (AcD) classification, which we have called the Fuwai classification. We then compare the clinical characteristics and long-term prognoses of different classifications. Methods: All AcD patients who underwent surgical procedures at Fuwai Hospital from 2010 to 2015 were included in the study. AcD procedures are divided into three types: Fuwai type Cp, Ct, and Cd. Type Cp is defined as the innominate artery or combined with the left carotid artery involved. Type Cd is defined as the left subclavian artery or combined with the left carotid artery involved. All other AcD surgeries are defined as type Ct. The Chi-square test was adopted for the pairwise comparison among the three types. Kaplan-Meier was used for the analysis of long-term survival and survival free of reoperation. Results: In total, 1,063 AcD patients were enrolled from 2010 to 2015: 54 patients were type Cp, 832 were type Ct, and 177 were type Cd. The highest operation proportion of Cp, Ct and Cd were partial arch replacement, total arch replacement, and TEVAR. The surgical mortality in type Ct was higher compared to type Cd (Ct vs. Cd = 9.38 vs. 1.69%, p < 0.01) and type Cp (Ct vs. Cp = 9.38 vs. 1.85%, p = 0.06). There was no difference in surgical mortality of type Cp and Cd (p = 0.93). There were no significant differences in the long-term survival rates (p = 0.38) and free of aorta-related re-operations (p = 0.19). Conclusion: The Fuwai classification is used to distinguish different AcDs. Different AcDs have different surgical mortality and use different operation methods, but they have similar long-term results.

Mid-term results of hybrid arch repair for DeBakey type I aortic dissection.