Study Protocol and Mission for the Tohoku Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection (TRAD)

Background

Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a life-threatening condition that imposes a significant socioeconomic burden on society. The Tohoku Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection (TRAD) is a collaboration of 13 tertiary referral hospitals in the Tohoku region of Japan designed to investigate all aspects of AAD treatment in this district, and to address significant clinical questions to help understand its dynamic pathology and develop optimal strategies for treating AAD.

Methods and Results

Comprehensive cases developing type A and type B AAD, including those with prehospital cardiopulmonary arrest transported to TRAD centers, over 5 years from 2017 to 2022 are registered. The TRAD dataset encompasses prehospital information, diagnostic imaging findings, treatment modalities, and outcomes for each case. After discharge, patients will be followed up for 10 years for survival, aortic events and inspection data.

Conclusions

We believe that this multicenter registry of AAD analyses will clarify the current short-term outcomes of recent surgical, endovascular, and medical treatments in the Tohoku region, and provide insights into the long-term outcomes of different treatment modalities to achieve extended life expectancy in reasonably good health.

Sex disparities in the risk of urgent dialysis following acute aortic dissections in Japan

The global outcome of acute aortic dissection (AD) remains poor, with a high risk of the need for urgent dialysis. This study aimed to clarify the association between sex and the requirement for urgent dialysis within 30 days after admission among patients with AD. This study included 79,998 cases who were hospitalized due to AD in Japan from 2010 to 2020 using an administrative claims database. The association between the risk of urgent dialysis and sex was investigated using the Fine and Gray model. Patients were classified into two groups based on the Stanford classification: type A AD (TAAD) and type B AD (TBAD). The lower subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) in women was observed in both groups: TAAD (SHR: 0.58, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.54-0.62); TBAD (SHR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.41-0.58). Our study revealed that women had a lower risk of requiring urgent dialysis than men in TAAD and TBAD.

Outcomes of ascending aorta and partial arch replacement with entry resection for DeBakey type I acute aortic dissection

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated early and late outcomes between ascending aorta/partial arch replacement and total arch replacement with entry resection in DeBakey type I acute aortic dissection (DIAAD) repair.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study included 98 patients who underwent DIAAD repair from January 2005 to December 2020. Seventy-four patients underwent ascending aorta and partial arch replacement with entry resection (Non-TAR group), and 24 underwent total arch replacement with entry resection (TAR group). The mean follow-up period was 4.8 ± 3.2 years. The follow-up rate was 92.3%. The mean age in the Non-TAR and TAR groups was 68.8 ± 10.4 years and 61.6 ± 13.7 years, respectively (P = 0.046). No difference in preoperative shock and malperfusion syndrome was observed between the groups. Hospital death was observed in 5.4% and 12.5% of the Non-TAR and TAR groups, respectively (P = 0.241). Postoperative permanent neurologic deficits and temporary hemodialysis were more frequently seen in the TAR compared to the Non-TAR group (P = 0.03 and 0.003, respectively). The 5-year survival rates were 95.1% ± 3.4% and 89.2% ± 7.2% in the Non-TAR and TAR groups, respectively (Log-rank P = 0.603). Freedom from downstream aorta-related reinterventions at 5 years was 87.8% ± 4.5% and 64.1% ± 11.0% in the Non-TAR and TAR groups, respectively (Log-rank P = 0.007). Three patients in each group underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair for residual aortic dissection.

CONCLUSIONS

Early and late outcomes in the Non-TAR group were satisfactory compared to those in the TAR group. Entry resection with graft replacement remains a standard approach in DIAAD repair.

Mortality after non-surgically treated acute type A aortic dissection is higher than previously reported

OBJECTIVES

It has been commonly accepted that untreated acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) results in an hourly mortality rate of 1-2% during the 1st 24 h after symptom onset. The data to support this statement rely solely on patients who have been denied surgical treatment after reaching surgical centres. The objective was to perform a total review of non-surgically treated (NST) ATAAD and provide contemporary mortality data.

METHODS

This was a regional, retrospective, observational study. All patients receiving one of the following diagnoses: International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 4410, 4411, 4415, 4416 or ICD-10 I710, I711, I715, I718 in an area of 1.9 million inhabitants in Southern Sweden during a period of 23 years (January 1998 to November 2021) were retrospectively screened. The search was conducted using all available medical registries so that every patient diagnosed with ATAAD in our region was identified. The charts and imaging of each screened patient were subsequently reviewed to confirm or discard the diagnosis of ATAAD.

RESULTS

Screening identified 2325 patients, of whom 184 NST ATAAD patients were included. The mortality of NST ATAAD was 47.3 ± 4.4%, 55.0 ± 4.4%, 76.7 ± 3.7% and 83.9 ± 4.3% at 24 h, 48 h, 14 days and 1 year, respectively. The hourly mortality rate during the 1st 24 h after symptom onset was 2.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

This study observed higher mortality than has previously been reported. It emphasizes the need for timely diagnosis, swift management and emergent surgical treatment for patients suffering an acute type A aortic dissection.

A new insight into superacute care for type A acute aortic dissection in the Tokyo Acute Aortic Super Network

OBJECTIVE

To determine the status of type A acute aortic dissection using the Tokyo Acute Aortic Super Network.

METHODS

Data of 6283 patients with acute aortic dissection between 2015 and 2019 were collected. Data of 3303 patients with type A acute aortic dissection were extracted for analysis.

RESULTS

Overall, 51.0% of patients were nondirect admissions. On arrival, 23.1% of patients were in shock, 10.0% in cardiopulmonary arrest, and 11.8% in deep coma or coma. Overall, 9.8% of patients were assessed as untreatable. Of 2979 treatable patients, 18.3% underwent medical treatment, whereas 80.7% underwent surgery (open [78.8%], endovascular [1.9%], and peripheral [1.1%] repair). The early mortality rate was 20.5%, including untreatable cases. Among treatable patients, in-hospital mortality rates were 8.6% for open repair, 10.7% for endovascular repair, and 25.3% for medical treatment. Advanced age, preoperative comorbidities, classical dissection, and medical treatment were risk factors for in-hospital mortality. Nondirect admission did not cause increased deaths. The mortality rates were high during the superacute phase following symptom onset.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated current practices in the emergency care of type A acute aortic dissection via the Tokyo Acute Aortic Super Network system, specifically a high rate of untreatable or inoperable cases and favorable outcomes in patients undergoing surgical treatment. High mortality rates were observed during the super acute phase after symptom onset or hospital arrival.

Current status of surgical treatment for acute aortic dissection in Japan: Nationwide database analysis

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the current status of surgical treatment of acute aortic dissection (AAD) in Japan through the Japan Cardiovascular Database analysis.

METHODS

In total, 7194 patients who underwent surgical treatment for AAD in 2021, including type A (TAAAD) (n = 6416) and type B (TBAAD) (n = 778), were investigated.

RESULTS

The median age was 70 years, with patients older than age 80 years constituting 21.7% and 23.4% of TAAAD and TBAAD cases. Emergency admission was 88.5% and 78.5%. Shock was found in 11.8% and 6.0%. Rupture/impending rupture occurred in 10.7%/6.0% and 24.0%/11.1%, respectively. Branch malperfusion was complicated in 10.4% and 25.2%. Open repairs were performed in 97.7% and 20.3%, whereas endovascular repairs were performed in 2.3% and 79.7%, respectively. In the increased prevalence of endografting procedures, neurological complications and renal failure occurred frequently after open repair with frozen elephant trunk for 29.9% and 50.3%. The operative mortality rate was 9.8% and 11.5% for open repair and 8.1% and 10.0% for endovascular repair. In patients with TAAAD, age older than 80 years, preoperative critical comorbidities, classical dissection, and coexisting chronic vital organ diseases were independent risk factors for mortality. In frozen elephant trunk procedures, neurologic complications and renal failure were frequent. The operative mortality was higher during the superacute phase within 1 or 2 hours from onset to arrival and between arrival and surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The current status of surgical treatments for AAD including the increased prevalence of endografting of thoracic endovascular aortic repair and frozen elephant trunk were demonstrated with favorable outcomes in the Japan Cardiovascular Database analyses.

Current review of acute type A aortic dissection in Malaysia

Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) still poses significant challenges and management dilemmas for cardiovascular surgeons worldwide. Despite the continuous improvement in diagnosis and management strategies for ATAAD, clinical outcomes remain poor and the optimal therapy is still debatable especially those with malperfusion syndrome (MPS). This review is based on the current literature and includes the results from the Aortic Registry of National Heart Institute of Malaysia (NHIM) database. It covers different aspects of ATAAD and concentrates on the outcome of surgical repair. The diagnosis is often delayed leading to variable outcomes. High index of suspicion and urgent treatment is required to tackle this dynamic disease which include the variation in presentation and clinical course. Different surgical techniques and perfusion strategies have been described to save patients. Complex techniques such as total arch replacement (TAR) with frozen elephant trunk and valve sparing root surgery may provide long-term benefit in selected patients, but require significant surgical expertise and experience.

Overview of acute type A dissection in Japan

Acute type A aortic dissection is a relatively uncommon but devastating disease and usually requires emergency surgery. Based on the several database projects, a large amount of perioperative patient data has now been accumulated and is expected to be useful in clinical practice. Especially in Japan, the number of surgeries for acute type A aortic dissection has been gradually increasing recently, and the overall mortality rate has stabilized at less than 10%. One of the keys to further improvement in outcomes will be to improve the results of aortic root replacement. In addition, strategies need to be established for very elderly patients, comatose patients, and patients with malperfusion as preoperative conditions. The use of a relatively new device, the frozen elephant trunk, is also increasing and might be changing the surgical outcome. In this report, we describe the current status of acute type A aortic dissection in Japan, with reference to recent guidelines and literature.

Aortic dissection: results of the invasive treatment in France between 2012 and 2018 according to the French national database

BACKGROUND

To evaluate results of the invasive repair in the management of acute aortic dissection (AoD) in France.

METHODS

Patients admitted to hospital with acute AoD from 2012 to 2018 were identified. Patient demographics, severity score at admission, treatment strategy and in-hospital mortality were described. For patients undergoing intervention, perioperative complications rate was reported. A secondary analysis evaluating patients' outcome as regards of the annual caseload per center was conducted.

RESULTS

Overall, 14,706 patients with acute AoD were identified (male 64%, mean age 67, median modified Elixhauser score 5). The overall incidence increased during the study period (from 3.8 in 2012 to 4.4/100,000 in 2018) associated with a North-South gradient (respectively 3.6 vs. 4.7/100,000) and a winter peak; 45.5% (N.=6697) of patients received medical treatment alone. Among those with invasive repair, 6276 (78.3%) were defined as type A AoD (TAAD), whereas type B AoD (TBAD) accounted for 1733 patients (21.7%), of whom 1632 (94%) had TEVAR and 101 (6%) had other arterial procedures; 30-day mortality was respectively 18.9% in TAAD and 9.5% for TBAD. In high-volume centers (i.e. >20 AoD/year), a lower 3-month mortality of 22.3% was noted compared to 31.4% in the low-volume centres (P<0.001); 47% of patients reported ≥1 early major complication. TEVAR exhibited less complication (P<0.001) compared to other arterial reconstructions in TBAD.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of acute AoD increased in France over the period of the study and was associated with stable postoperative early mortality. Early postoperative mortality is significantly reduced in high-volume centers.

Epidemiology of Acute Aortic Dissection in a General Population of 1.4 Million People in Japan - Shiga Stroke and Heart Attack Registry

BACKGROUND

Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a life-threatening cardiovascular disease, with a reported incidence rate ranging from 2.5 to 7.2 per 100,000 person-years in several population-based registries in Western countries, but epidemiological data are lacking in Japan.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The Shiga Stroke and Heart Attack Registry is an ongoing multicenter population-based registry of cerebro-cardiovascular diseases. We enrolled patients who developed AAD, defined by any imaging examination method from 2014 to 2015 in Shiga Prefecture. Death certificates were used to identify cases that were not registered at acute care hospitals. The incidence rates of AAD were calculated by age categories and adjusted using standard populations for comparison. We evaluated differences in patient characteristics between Stanford type A-AAD and type B-AAD subtypes. A total of 402 incident cases with AAD were analyzed. The age-adjusted incidence rates using the 2015 Japanese population and the 2013 European Standard Population were 15.8 and 12.2 per 100,000 person-years, respectively. Compared with cases of type B-AAD, those with type A-AAD were older (75.0 vs. 69.9 years, P=0.001) and more likely to be women (62.3% vs. 28.6%, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Population-based incidence rates of AAD in Japan appear to be higher than in previous reports from Western countries. Incident cases with type A-AAD were older and female predominance.

Endovascular Intervention for Aortic Dissection Is "Ascending"

Ascending aorta diseases represent an important cause of mortality worldwide. Notably, acute and chronic thoracic aorta pathologies have increased during the last years, but medical therapy does not seem to influence their natural history. Currently, although open surgery is the first choice of treatment, many patients are still rejected or have poor outcomes. In this scenario, endovascular treatment is raised as a valuable option. In this review we describe the limitations of conventional surgery and the state-of-art of endovascular ascending aorta repair.

Current management of acute type B dissection in 2021

The rationale for thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for type B aortic dissection depends on the phase of disease: acute phase, which is 'complicated', subacute to early chronic phase, which requires 'preemptive TEVAR' and chronic phase, which entails 'prevention of further dilatation and rupture'. Low operative mortality and morbidity after TEVAR for complicated acute type B aortic dissection have been reported with significant improvement during midterm survival. 'Retrograde' type A dissection, which can be described as type B_0,X (X>3) according to a new reporting standard, has reportedly been treated with TEVAR with less invasiveness. TEVAR is the first and possibly the only effective strategy for acute type B dissection, so that expansion of indications for type B_0,X, as described in the new reporting standard has been validated.

Current Surgical Management of Acute Type A Aortic Dissection in China: A Multicenter Registry Study

Background

Many countries and regions have established multicenter registration studies to improve the outcomes of acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD).

Objectives

The aims of this study were to report actual preoperative management, surgery type, and early outcomes of surgical treatment for ATAAD in China.

Methods

This cohort study uses data from the China Registry of Type A Aortic Dissection, a national clinical registry to investigate management of patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection. The data, including surgical management and outcomes of patients with ATAAD, were analyzed from January 2018 to December 2021.

Results

A total of 1,058 patients with ATAAD were enrolled in this study between January 2018 and December 2021. The mean age of all patients was 51.6 ±11.7 years. The median interval from onset to hospital was 10.65 hours (IQR: 6-24 hours), and the median interval from entering the emergency room to starting operation was 13 hours (IQR: 4.08-28.7 hours). Total arch repair was performed in 938 patients (88.7%), and frozen elephant trunk repair was performed in 800 patients (75.6%). The incidence of early mortality was 7.6%.

Conclusions

The population of patients with ATAAD in China experienced a longer interval from onset to arrival at the hospital, received more extensive aortic arch repair, and showed a relatively lower early mortality. These findings suggest that there may be a huge survivor bias in patients with ATAAD in China, more efforts should be made to promote prehospital emergency care and preoperative management of Chinese ATAAD patients. (A multicenter registration study of aortic dissection in China; ChiCTR1800015338).

Recent trends of open surgery for acute type A aortic dissection in Japan

OBJECTIVE

Reporting clinical outcomes of acute type A aortic dissection.

METHODS

Data derived from the survey of the Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery, the Japan Cardiovascular Database, and the Japanese Registry of All Cardiac and Vascular Diseases were analyzed.

RESULTS

Between 2012 and 2015, the Japanese Registry of All Cardiac and Vascular Diseases study collected 13,131 patients and the hospital mortality was 24.3%. The surgical mortality was significantly lower than medical one (11.8% vs 49.7%; p < 0.001). The Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery survey disclosed the number of surgeries has been increased to 6157 in 2018 and the hospital death has decreased to 10.5%. The Japan Cardiovascular Database, collected 29,486 patients from 2013 to 2018. Age at surgery was 59.8  ±  14.2 years and patients younger than 65 years in 61% and 21% were older than 75 years. Ninety-four percent had surgery within 24 h after diagnosis. Antegrade cerebral perfusion was used in 74% and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest with/without retrograde cerebral perfusion in 26%. Replacement of the ascending aorta was performed in 62% and total arch replacement in 28%. The aortic valve was replaced in 7.9% and repaired in 4.4%. The hospital mortality was 11%. New stroke occurred in 12%, hemodialysis in 7.3%, paraplegia in 3.9%, and prolonged ventilation in 15%.

CONCLUSION

The number of operations for type A aortic dissection has increased, and hospital mortality has improved. Although the early results after surgery for type A aortic dissection are acceptable, new strategies to improve early outcomes in patients with preoperative comorbidities are required.

ARISE: First-In-Human Evaluation of a Novel Stent Graft to Treat Ascending Aortic Dissection

BACKGROUND

Operative mortality for type A aortic dissection is still 10-20% at centers of excellence. Additionally, 10-20% are not considered as viable candidates for open surgical repair and not offered life-saving emergency surgery. ARISE is a multicenter investigation evaluating the novel GORE® Ascending Stent Graft (ASG; Flagstaff, AZ).

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to assess early feasibility of using these investigational devices to treat ascending aortic dissection.

METHODS

This a prospective, multicenter, non-randomized, single-arm study that enrolls patients at high surgical risk with appropriate anatomical requirements based on computed tomography imaging at 7 of 9 US sites. Devices are delivered transfemorally under fluoroscopic guidance. Primary endpoint is all-cause mortality at 30 days. Secondary endpoints include major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) at 30 days, 6 months, and 12 months.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients were enrolled with a mean age of 75.7 years (range 47-91) and 11 (57.9%) were female. Ten (52.6%) had DeBakey type I disease, and the rest were type II. Sixteen (84.2%) of the patients were acute. Patients were treated with safe access, (7/19 (36.8%) percutaneous, 10/19 (52.6%) transfemoral, 2/19 (10.5%) iliac conduit), delivery, and deployment completed in all cases. Median procedure time was 154 mins (range 52-392) and median contrast used was 111 mL (range 75-200). MACCE at 30 days occurred in 5 patients including mortality 3/19 (15.8%), disabling stroke in 1/19 (5.3%), and myocardial infarction in 1/19 (5.3%).

CONCLUSION

Results from the ARISE early feasibility study of a specific ascending stent graft device to treat ascending aortic dissection are promising.

Potential of unenhanced computed tomography as a screening tool for acute aortic syndromes

AIMS

Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) is the gold standard for diagnosing acute aortic syndromes (AAS). Unenhanced computed tomography (unenhanced-CT) also provides specific findings for AAS; however, its diagnostic ability is not well discussed. This study aims to evaluate the potential of unenhanced-CT as an AAS screening tool.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We retrospectively examined AAS patients who visited our hospital between 2011 and 2021 to validate the diagnostic value of unenhanced-CT alone and along with the aortic dissection detection risk score (ADD-RS) plus D-dimer. Acute aortic syndrome was assessed as detectable using unenhanced-CT with any of the following findings: pericardial haemorrhage, high-attenuation haematoma, and displacement of intimal calcification or a flap. Of the 316 AAS cases, 292 (92%) were detectable with unenhanced-CT. Twenty-four (8%) cases undetectable with unenhanced-CT involved younger patients [median (interquartile range), 45 (42-51) years vs. 72 (63-80) years, P < 0.001] and patients more frequently complicated with a patent false lumen (79% vs. 42%, P < 0.001). Acute aortic syndrome-detection rate with unenhanced-CT increased with age, reaching 98% (276/282) in those ≥50 years of age and 100% (121/121) in those ≥75 years of age. With the ADD-RS plus D-dimer, there was only one AAS case undetectable with unenhanced-CT among patients ≥50 years of age, except for cases with the ADD-RS ≥1 plus D-dimer levels of ≥0.5 μg/mL.

CONCLUSION

Acute aortic syndromes in younger patients and patients with a patent false lumen could be misdiagnosed with unenhanced-CT alone. The combination of the ADD-RS plus D-dimer and unenhanced-CT could minimize AAS misdiagnosis while avoiding over-testing with CE-CT.

Relationship Between Heart Rate at Discharge and Long-Term Outcomes of Surgically Treated Patients With Type A Acute Aortic Dissections

BACKGROUND

Resting heart rate (HR) at discharge is an important predictor of mortality after acute myocardial infarction. However, in patients with Stanford type A acute aortic dissections (TA-AADs), the relationship between HR and long-term outcomes is unclear. Therefore, this relationship was investigated in the present study.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Surgically treated consecutive patients with TA-AAD (n=721) were retrospectively categorized according to HR quartiles, recorded within 24 h before discharge (<70, 70-77, 78-83, and ≥84 beats/min). The study endpoints included aortic aneurysm-related deaths, sudden deaths, aortic surgeries, and hospitalizations for recurrence of acute aortic dissections. The mean (±SD) patient age was 65.8±13.0 years. During a median observation period of 5.8 years (interquartile range 3.9-8.5 years), 17.2% of patients (n=124) experienced late aortic events. Late aortic surgery was performed in 14.0% of patients. After adjusting for potential confounders, including β-blocker use, HR at discharge remained an independent predictor of long-term aortic outcomes. Patients with discharge HR ≥84 beats/min had a higher risk (hazard ratio 1.86; 95% confidence interval 1.06-3.25; P=0.029) of long-term aortic events than those with HR <70 beats/min; the cumulative survival rates were similar among the groups (log-rank, P=0.905).

CONCLUSIONS

In surgically treated patients with TA-AAD, HR at discharge independently predicted long-term aortic outcomes. Consequently, HR in patients with TA-AAD should be optimized before discharge, particularly if the HR is ≥84 beats/min.

Population-based incidence and outcomes of acute aortic dissection in Japan

AIMS

The population-based incidence and outcomes of acute aortic dissection (AAD) are still unknown because some patients are already dead on arrival, and the accurate diagnosis of AAD is difficult due to the low autopsy rate. We performed a population-based review of all patients with AAD in a well-defined geographical area in Japan between 2016 and 2018.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Data of all patients with AAD at Miyazaki Prefectural Nobeoka Hospital (MPNH), which performs medical care for 120 000 residents, were collected retrospectively. The emergency medical service is dedicated to the transfer of all patients in this area to the MPNH. For all patients who were dead on arrival, the diagnosis of AAD was made by autopsy imaging (AI) using computed tomography. The age-adjusted incidence and mortality per 100 000 population were calculated using the Japanese population distribution model in 2015. The total incidence of AAD was 79 (type A: 64.5%, n = 51). Of those, 60.8% (31/51) of patients with type A and 21.4% (6/28) with type B were dead on arrival and diagnosed by AI. The 30-day mortality rates were 74.5% (38/51) in type A and 25.0% (7/28) in type B. The age-adjusted incidence and mortality of AAD per 100 000 inhabitants were 17.6 (type A: 11.3, type B: 6.2) and 9.9 (type A: 8.4, type B: 1.5), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The population-based survey of AAD showed that the age-adjusted incidence of AAD was two-fold higher than in previous reports, and the actual mortality rates were markedly higher due to the high incidence of dead-on-arrival.

Impact of structural and process quality indicators on the outcomes of acute aortic dissection

OBJECTIVES

The mortality of acute aortic dissection (AAD) remains high, and evidence-to-practice gaps exist in real-world treatment. We explored the first quality indicators (QIs) for AAD management and evaluated the associations between the achievement of these QIs and the outcome in a nationwide administrative database.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed to establish initial index items for QIs. An evaluation was performed through an expert consensus meeting using the Delphi method. We studied 18 348 patients who had AAD (type A: 10 131; type B: 8217) in the Japanese Registry of All Cardiac and Vascular Diseases database between April 2012 and May 2015. The associations between the achievement of QIs [categorized into tertiles (low, middle and high)] and in-hospital mortality were determined by multivariable mixed logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

We developed a total of 9 QIs (5 structural and 4 process). Lower achievement rates of QIs were significantly associated with higher in-hospital mortality in both types [type A = middle: odds ratio (OR) 4.03; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.301-4.90; P < 0.001; low: OR 15.68; 95% CI 11.67-21.06; P < 0.001 vs high; type B = middle: OR 3.48; 95% CI 2.19-5.53; P < 0.001; low: OR 7.79; 95% CI 4.65-13.06; P < 0.001 vs high]. Various sensitivity analyses showed consistent results. High achievement rates of QIs were significantly associated with reduced in-hospital mortality. Evaluating each hospital's management using QIs would help to equalize treatment quality and demonstrate the evidence-to-practice gaps in real-world treatments for AAD.

Review of Studies Reporting the Incidence of Acute Type B Aortic Dissection

Aortic dissection (AD) causes more deaths each year in the United Kingdom than road traffic collisions. Yet the incidence of AD is not known. The management of acute type B AD (TBAD) is changing, with the greater use of thoracic aortic stent grafts (TEVAR) in treatment and fewer open surgical procedures performed. The study’s aim is to review the worldwide, English language published, literature on acute TBAD incidence and treatment, to report on its strengths and limitations, and better understand changes in incidence over time and between countries. Thirty-one studies were identified that focus on the epidemiology and treatment of TBAD. Eight of these studies report the incidence of acute TBAD as between of 0.5–6.3 per 100,000 person years. Hospital admissions for aortic dissection are reported to be increasing in six studies and stable in one study. The proportion of patients with TBAD operated on varies between studies (range 13% to 76%). Studies identify patient age (median 51–77 years), gender (range 48%–81% male) and prevalence of cardio-vascular risk factors, specifically hypertension, in the populations studied as independent factors influencing aortic dissection incidence. Treatment of acute TBAD remains largely conservative with analgesia, hypertension control and serial cross-sectional imaging (range 24%–87% TBAD medically treated). The use of TEVAR to treat acute AD is increasing worldwide (range 13%–76% TBAD treated with TEVAR). The incidence of TBAD is under-reported due to out of hospital deaths, variable clinical presentation (miss-diagnosis) and coding errors. Importantly for research, the single International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code for aortic dissection, I17.0, does not distinguish between acute, chronic, type A or type B dissection types. Similarly, the OPCS Classification of Interventions and Procedures version 4 (OPCS-4) codes for TEVAR, L27.4 and L28.4, do not distinguish between acute and chronic AD presentation, unlike the codes for open thoracic aortic replacement. Standardised reporting of aortic dissection type, and the urgency of both the initial presentation (acute or chronic) and treatment (emergency, urgent or planned) in future studies would allow more meaningful comparisons between populations.

Incidence and Mortality Rates of Thoracic Aortic Dissection in Korea - Inferred from the Nationwide Health Insurance Claims

BACKGROUND

Aortic dissection (AD) is one of the most catastrophic diseases and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to investigate the hospital incidence and mortality rates of thoracic AD in Korea using a nationwide database.

METHODS

We conducted a nationwide population-based study using the health claims data of the National Health Insurance Service in Korea. From 2005 to 2016, adult patients newly diagnosed with AD were included. All patients were divided into the following four subgroups by treatment: type A surgical repair (TASR), type B surgical repair (TBSR), thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), and medical management (MM). The incidence rate, mortality rate, and risk factors of in-hospital mortality were evaluated.

RESULTS

In total, 18,565 patients were newly diagnosed with AD (TASR, n = 4,319 [23.3%]; TBSR, n = 186 [1.0%]; TEVAR, n = 697 [3.8%]; MM, n = 13,363 [72.0%]). The overall AD incidence rate was 3.76 per 100,000 person-years and exhibited a gradual increase during the study period (3.29 to 4.82, P < 0.001). The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 10.84% and remained consistent (P = 0.57). However, the in-hospital mortality rate decreased in the TASR subgroup (18.23 to 11.27%, P = 0.046). An older age, the female sex, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease were independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of thoracic AD has gradually increased in Korea. The in-hospital mortality in the TASR subgroup decreased over the decade, although the overall mortality of AD patients did not change.

Factors Affecting Outcomes in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection: A Systematic Review

Acute type A aortic dissection is a clinical emergency and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates if not managed promptly in specialised and high-volume centres. The mortality rate is increased by 1% for each hour delay in management; however, with advancement in clinical practice, diagnostic imaging and clinician awareness, this has been dramatically reduced to below 30% in most international centres. Not only timing of recognition of the pathology, but also other factors can significantly affect outcomes of such critical pathology. This includes, but is not limited to, age, extent of the pathology, existence of connective tissue disorders, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and surgeon experience. This narrative review will focus on current clinical practice and the evidence behind optimising each factor to minimise adverse outcomes in such high-risk cohort.

Type A aortic dissection in the East and West: A comparative study between two hospitals from China and the US

BACKGROUND

In this study, we compare the clinical characteristics, intraoperative management, and postoperative outcomes of patients with acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) between two academic medical hospitals in the United States and China.

METHODS

From January 2011 to December 2017, 641 and 150 patients from Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital (NDTH) and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) were enrolled. Patient demographics, clinical features, surgical techniques, and postoperative outcomes were compared.

RESULTS

The annual number of patients presenting with ATAAD at MGH remained relatively stable, while the number at NDTH increased significantly over the study period. The average age was 51 years at NDTH and 61 years at MGH (P < .001). The percentage of patients with known hypertension at the two centers was similar. The time interval from onset of symptoms to diagnosis was significantly longer at NDTH than MGH (11 vs 3.5 hours; P < .001). Associated complications at presentation were more common at NDTH than MGH. More than 90% of patients (91% NDTH and 92% MGH) underwent surgery. The postoperative stroke rate was higher at MGH (12% vs 4%; P < .001); however, the 30-day mortality rate was lower (7% vs 16%; P = .006).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a significant increase in the number of ATAAD at NDTH during the study period while the number at MGH remained stable. Hypertension was a common major risk factor; however, the onset of ATAAD at NDTH was nearly one decade earlier than MGH. Chinese patients tended to have more complicated preoperative pathophysiology at presentation and underwent more extensive surgical repair.