Reported outcomes after aortic valve resuspension for acute type A aortic dissection: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

In the majority of patients presenting with acute type A aortic dissection (AAD) complicated by aortic valve insufficiency, the aortic valve (AV) can be preserved by AV resuspension. A meta-analysis was performed to investigate the outcomes following AV resuspension for AAD. A systematic literature search for publications reporting outcomes after AV resuspension in AAD published between January 1998 and June 2018 was conducted. Early outcome events and linearized occurrence rates for late outcome events were derived. The retrieval process yielded 18 unique studies involving 3295 patients with a total of 17 532 patient-years (pt-yrs). Pooled early mortality was 15.5% [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 11.5-19.4%, I2 = 91.9%], and the linearized late mortality rate was 3.21%/pt-yrs (95% CI 2.49-3.77, I2 = 29%). The linearized occurrence rates for aortic root reintervention was 1.4%/pt-yrs (95% CI 0.88-1.79, I2 = 48%); for recurrent significant aortic valve insufficiency (>2+), it was 1.12%/pt-yrs (95% CI 0.79-1.45, I2 = 68%); and for endocarditis, it was 0.01%/pt-yrs (95% CI 0-0.04, I2 = 7%). The composite rate of thromboembolism and bleeding was 1.41%/pt-yrs (95% CI 0.18-2.63, I2 = 82%). A more recent surgical period was associated with a decreased hazard of reoperation on the aortic root (P < 0.001). Requirement of AV resuspension alone in AAD is a risk factor for mortality. The long-term durability of AV resuspension is excellent, with low rates of endocarditis and thromboembolism and bleeding. Root reoperation hazard has become acceptable in recent years. Preoperative aortic valve insufficiency grade exceeding 2+ is a predictor for root reoperation.