Single-center experience of the surgical treatment of ascending aorta in Córdoba, Argentina

Abstract

Introduction: The goal of ascending aortic aneurysm surgery is to prevent the risk of dissection or rupture, which in 30% of cases leads to the death of the patient. Advances in surgical techniques made it possible to completely resect the affected aorta and replace it with synthetic or biological conduits. Over time, surgical risk has decreased and long-term evolution reveals a survival rate with a very low incidence of complications with respect to it, except in patients over 60 years of age, whose risk is still above 30%. The primary objective was to know early mortality (before 30 days or at hospital discharge) in patients who underwent ascending aorta surgery, and their comparisons between elective and emergency procedures. Secondarily, major complications were analyzed between elective and emergency procedures such as stroke; acute renal failure and reoperation due to bleeding, as well as stay in the Critical Care Unit. Material and methods: Retrospective, descriptive review of adult patients who underwent surgery at the Private University Hospital of Córdoba, due to ascending aortic pathology, both electively and urgently, from January 2010 to December 2016. Results: The analysis of the data revealed a mortality of 4.83% (3/62) in the elective group and 27.7% (5/18) in the emergency surgery group, with an overall mortality of 10%. Conclusions: Mortality from surgery of the ascending aorta has improved in recent years; however, it still carries a risk close to 30%, especially in cases of emergency and in patients older than 70 years.