title: Selective management of acute type B aortic dissection: long-term follow-up.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since 1985, we have selectively treated acute type B aortic dissections. Initial treatment lowered blood pressure and heart rate. Transesophageal echocardiography and computed tomographic scans were used to diagnose and follow up the patients. Patients were operated on for organ ischemia, pain, hypertension, or increasing subpleural fluid on computed tomographic scan.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients admitted over a 10-year period to the Mt. Sinai Hospital.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From August 1985 to May 1995, 68 patients were seen. Three died soon after admission during initial diagnostic evaluation. Seventeen patients underwent operation without mortality or paraplegia (group 1). Forty-seven of 48 patients treated nonoperatively were discharged; 1 patient died of rupture on day 7 (group 2). Actuarial survival for all 68 patients at 1 and 5 years was 92% +/- 4% and 82% +/- 8%. Group 1 survival was 93% +/- 4% and 68% +/- 5%, and group 2 survival was 90% +/- 6% and 87% +/-14%. There were no differences between groups. Late intervention was required in 2 group 1 patients (12%) and in 12 of 48 group 2 patients (25%), again without mortality or paraplegia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This experience suggests that selective management of acute type B aortic dissection results in acceptable short-term and long-term survival. Avoiding early operation did not compromise late results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Schor
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Yerlioglu
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Galla
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Lansman
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ergin
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Griepp
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome