The life-threatening nature of Type A Aortic Dissection (TAAD) necessitates the need for emergency surgical interventions. Any delays in diagnosis follows with catastrophic peri-operative morbidity and significant mortality risks. While improvements over the past decades in diagnostic imaging, surgical procedures and neuroprotective strategies have contributed to earlier diagnosis and referral to surgery, post-operative outcomes remain a challenge.
Finding the most effective surgical approach for TAAD remains an ongoing discussion and the current gold-standard is open repair, owing to its good long-term results. However, most cases of TAAD demand a more complex approach, such as total or hemi-arch replacement; individuals undergoing this procedure also require the use of hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) as a cerebral protective strategy against ischemia. Applications of other emerging surgical options have gained considerable attention. Since the introduction of the two-step Elephant Trunk (ET) technique, to the notable single-step Frozen Elephant Trunk (FET), has also gained momentum in assisting the repair of TAAD due to its association with false lumen thrombosis and favorable outcomes. Additionally, the use of the less-invasive, endovascular techniques as a hybrid procedure have attracted popularity, ultimately presenting excellent long-term outcomes.
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine have proposed an article collection in our Heart Surgery section on, 'Current Trends and Strategies for the Management of Type A Aortic Dissection,' aiming to provide readers with a broad overview on the routine applications of present and emerging techniques designed at TAAD. This article collection will highlight the importance to improve surgical outcomes in individuals undergoing this high-risk procedure.
Sub-topics include, but are not limited to:
1) Conventional surgical techniques aimed at TAAD.
2) Emerging surgical techniques in TAAD management.
3) Retrospective studies assessing the morbidity and mortality after TAAD intervention, on a national level.
4) Risk factors for post-operative complications in TAAD surgery such as ischemic liver injury and stroke.
5) Predictors for length of stay after surgery.
The life-threatening nature of Type A Aortic Dissection (TAAD) necessitates the need for emergency surgical interventions. Any delays in diagnosis follows with catastrophic peri-operative morbidity and significant mortality risks. While improvements over the past decades in diagnostic imaging, surgical procedures and neuroprotective strategies have contributed to earlier diagnosis and referral to surgery, post-operative outcomes remain a challenge.
Finding the most effective surgical approach for TAAD remains an ongoing discussion and the current gold-standard is open repair, owing to its good long-term results. However, most cases of TAAD demand a more complex approach, such as total or hemi-arch replacement; individuals undergoing this procedure also require the use of hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) as a cerebral protective strategy against ischemia. Applications of other emerging surgical options have gained considerable attention. Since the introduction of the two-step Elephant Trunk (ET) technique, to the notable single-step Frozen Elephant Trunk (FET), has also gained momentum in assisting the repair of TAAD due to its association with false lumen thrombosis and favorable outcomes. Additionally, the use of the less-invasive, endovascular techniques as a hybrid procedure have attracted popularity, ultimately presenting excellent long-term outcomes.
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine have proposed an article collection in our Heart Surgery section on, 'Current Trends and Strategies for the Management of Type A Aortic Dissection,' aiming to provide readers with a broad overview on the routine applications of present and emerging techniques designed at TAAD. This article collection will highlight the importance to improve surgical outcomes in individuals undergoing this high-risk procedure.
Sub-topics include, but are not limited to:
1) Conventional surgical techniques aimed at TAAD.
2) Emerging surgical techniques in TAAD management.
3) Retrospective studies assessing the morbidity and mortality after TAAD intervention, on a national level.
4) Risk factors for post-operative complications in TAAD surgery such as ischemic liver injury and stroke.
5) Predictors for length of stay after surgery.
