title: A double patch sandwich technique for surgical repair of acute aortic dissection type A.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study compares two groups of patients with acute aortic dissection type A in whom two different techniques of anastomotic reinforcement were used, and evaluates the impact of these two techniques on perioperative blood loss and surgical outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred eighty-five consecutive patients with acute aortic dissection type A between 1998 and 2002 were grouped according to the technique utilized for reinforcing the aortic anastomotic site. Group A consisted of 21 patients in whom a novel double patch sandwich technique was used, whereas in group B (164 patients) conventional Teflon felt strips served as reinforcement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preoperative profiles were comparable for both groups. Deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest were used in 180 patients (97%). Retrograde cerebral perfusion and retrograde cardioplegia were used in 70 patients (38%). Hospital mortality for the two groups was 4.7% (1 of 21) and 18% (29 out of 164), p < 0.30, respectively. On average 2 versus 6 U of PRBC (p < 0.21), and 3 versus 5 U of FFP (p < 0.004) were given during operation in groups A and B, respectively, and indicates reduced suture line bleeding in group A.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Modifications in the surgical technique for repair of acute aortic dissection type A, and in anastomotic reinforcement in particular, may lead to substantial reduction of suture line bleeding and diminished blood loss and transfusion requirements, and favorably affects patient outcome. Nevertheless, continued effort is mandatory to further enhance surgical outcome in this patient population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Tatiana M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Fleck
authors.forename: Heinz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tschernich
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grabenwoger
authors.forename: Doris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hutschala
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koinig
authors.forename: Ernst
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wolner
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mohl
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017052:Hospital Mortality / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality; D011336:Probability; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality