Background: The aim of this study was to report results of aortic root reoperations and to identify predictors of in-hospital and long-term mortality.
Methods: Between 1986 and 2011, 111 consecutive patients (mean age 55.4 years, 85 male [76.6%]) were reoperated on the aortic root after previous aortic surgery at our institution. An urgent/emergent operation was performed in 24 patients (21.6%). Indications for reoperation were degenerative aneurysm (n = 56), chronic post-dissection aneurysm (n = 27), active prosthetic infection (n = 14), false aneurysm (n = 10) and acute dissection (n = 4). Surgical procedures were limited to the aortic root in 68 patients (61.3%), and involved the entire proximal thoracic aorta in 43 patients (38.7%).
Results: In-hospital mortality was 12.6%, being 6.9% and 33.3% in elective and urgent cases, respectively (p=0.002). On multivariate analysis, cardiopulmonary bypass time (odds ratio 1.029/min; p=0.011) and urgent/emergent status (odds ratio 8.486; p=0.044) were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. Follow-up was 99.1% complete. Estimated 1-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 82.5%, 71.9% and 50.6%, respectively. Six redo procedures were performed during follow-up. Freedom from reoperation at 1, 5, and 10 years was 100%, 91.7% and 86.1%, respectively. On Cox regression analysis, chronic aortic dissection (hazard ratio 21.2; p=0.009) was an independent predictor of reintervention at follow-up.
Conclusions: Reoperation on the aortic root can be performed with acceptable mortality and good mid- and long-term outcomes, in particular when carried out on an elective basis. Cardiopulmonary bypass time and urgent/emergent status remain the most important risk factors for reduced survival in aortic surgery.