Abstract
BACKGROUND: There are many techniques to reduce anastomotic bleeding for the total arch replacement, but hemostasis is sometimes difficult to achieve after surgery for acute dissection, especially in patients with abnormal coagulation (AC). This study aimed to investigate the hemostatic effect and early efficacy of a pre-set bovine pericardium wrapper in the right heart system shunt for total arch replacement in patients with type A aortic dissection (TAAD) and preoperative AC. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 85 patients with TAAD and AC who underwent total arch replacement between January 2018 and December 2022. The patients were divided into two groups: the preset pericardium group (n=30) and the control group (n=55). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of Bentall surgery (ascending aorta replacement with an aortic valve artificial vessel) and cardiac arrest time. However, compared to the control group, the preset pericardium group exhibited a shorter duration of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and operation (P<0.001). Additionally, the preset pericardium group required fewer transfusions of blood products and hemostatic drugs (P<0.05). Moreover, the preset pericardium group had lower 24-hour postoperative mediastinal drainage volume (P<0.001), a lower proportion of bedside hemofiltration (P=0.039), and a shorter duration of mechanical ventilation and stay in the intensive care unit (P=0.014). Although the preset pericardium group showed reductions in in-hospital mortality, re-exploration for bleeding, and neurologic dysfunction, these differences were not statistically significant compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the first investigation into the application of the preset wrapping technique in total arch replacement for TAAD with AC. The results demonstrate that this method can reduce the duration of CPB and operation, decrease postoperative bleeding, and minimize the need for blood transfusion and hemostatic drugs. Consequently, this technique may contribute to early postoperative recovery.