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Specialization in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection Repair: The Outcomes and Challenges.

With increasing specialization within the field of cardiac surgery and a positive relationship between case volume and surgical outcomes in many areas, the concept of dedicated aortic surgeons performing acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) repair was investigated. From 1996 to 2014, 436 patients underwent open surgical repair of an ATAAD and were subsequently divided based on surgeon subspecialization, aortic-surgeon (AS, n=401) vs. non-aortic-surgeon (NAS, n=35). Each aortic surgeon performed an average of 13 ATAAD repair operations per year. Preoperative comorbidities were similar between groups. Intraoperatively, the AS group had 36% aortic root replacement vs. 23% in the NAS group, p=0.12, and 36% zone 1/2/3 arch replacement vs. 26% in the NAS group, p=0.20). Postoperatively, the AS group had significantly better outcomes, including intraoperative mortality (1.2% vs 5.7%), 30-day mortality (6.5% vs 17%), and composite outcomes (23% vs. 46%). Multivariable logistic regression showed NAS was a risk factor for 30-day mortality with an odds ratio (OR) of 4.4 (p=0.03), as were COPD (OR=4.0, p=0.046) and cardiogenic shock (OR=13.4, p<0.0001). The 10-year survival was 66% in the AS group vs. 46% in the NAS group, p=0.02. NAS (HR=2.2), Age (hazard ratio (HR)=1.05), COPD (HR=1.96), acute stroke (HR=3.0), and New York Heart Association class III or IV (HR=1.75) were significant risk factors for long-term mortality. Managing ATAAD by subspecialized aortic surgeons resulted in improved short- and long-term outcomes. Our specialty could consider ATAAD repair by high-volume aortic surgeons for better patient outcomes.