Abstract
Background: Aortic dissection is still afflicted with significant morbidity and mortality. This research seeks to assess long-term outcomes and quality of life after emergency surgery for acute aortic dissection type A. Methods: A total of 413 patients were analysed, who had been operated upon between 2000 and 2016 at our centre. We compared our results of the early (2000-2007) versus late (2008-2016) period with regards to 30-day and follow-up mortality and need for reoperation, including risk factor analysis. Quality of life was assessed via the SF-36 survey. Results: Calculated perioperative risk by EuroSCORE increased significantly from early, 24.9%, to late, 38.0%, p < 0.001. Thirty-day rates of mortality decreased significantly from 26.7% to 17.4%, p = 0.03. Survival at 1-, 5-, and 10-years was 92.3% vs. 91.8% (p = 0.91), 75.2% vs. 81.0% (p = 0.29), and 53.4% vs. 69.7% (p = 0.04). Freedom from reoperation was comparable between groups at follow-up: 74.0% vs. 85.7%, p = 0.28. Quality of life was impaired. Conclusions: Despite more complex severity of disease and operative procedures, the results of surgery for type A aortic dissection improved significantly over time at 30-day and 10-year follow-up. Quality of life was significantly impaired compared to a healthy reference population.