Management of the Aortic Root in Type A aortic Dissection: A Valve
Sparing Approach
Abstract
Background: Type A acute aortic dissection (TAAAD) is rapidly fatal
without emergency surgical. Surgical outcomes have improved over the
years with improvements in technique and postoperative care.
Classically, supracomissural aortic replacement has been the standard of
care. However, reintervention rates, particularly on the aortic root, in
certain groups of patients shifted the focus towards improving long
terms results of surgical repair. With regard to the aortic root, root
replacement has been the gold standard. However, the surgical community
realised that valve replacement in itself is a disease, and valve
sparing aortic root replacement (VSRR) took centre stage in the care of
these patients. Methods: We search the Pubmed and EMBASE for articles
related to VSRR, composite valve conduit root (CVC) replacement, and the
long terms results of both in TAAAD. Results: Supracomissural repair is
limited by reintervention and CVC results are affected by complications
related to the prosthetic valve. Conversely, VSRR is associated with
good short-term outcomes, improvement in quality of life, and it is
durable. Conclusion: VSRR is a sound technique in TAAAD in experienced
hands.