Acute type A aortic dissection and the consequences of a patent false lumen
Abigail White, Sabin J. Bozso, Maral Ouzounian, Michael Chu, Michael C. Moon
Abstract
Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) is a life-threatening condition associated with high mortality and morbidity.1 Without immediate surgical repair, mortality rates approach 50% within the first 48 hours.2-5 Despite improvements in surgical technique and critical care, the short- and long-term mortality and morbidity associated with ATAAD, particularly the DeBakey I subgroup, remains high. Although standard repair for ATAAD involves resection of the primary intimal tear in the proximal aorta, persistence of flow through a large distal tear or a new entry tear at the distal aortic anastomosis may lead to persistent false lumen (FL) perfusion with unfavorable downstream consequences.