title: Is acute type A aortic dissection a true surgical emergency?
abstract: Untreated acute aortic dissection involving the ascending aorta (type A) is associated with a high early mortality owing to rupture. Despite advancements in surgical technique and critical care, early mortality remains high. Operative mortality may be related to the technical challenges associated with intervening on the acutely dissected aorta as well as the multiorgan insult it induces. In this article, we review our approach to acute type A aortic dissection with regard to diagnosis, initial medical management, surgical repair, and timing of repair.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, The University of Texas at Houston Medical School and Memorial Hermann Hospital, 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Anthony L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Estrera
authors.forename: Tam T T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Huynh
authors.forename: Eyal E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Porat
authors.forename: Charles C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Jesse J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Hazim J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Safi
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D001011:Aorta / Q000601:surgery; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013536:Suture Techniques