Kevin R An1, Charles de Mestral2, Derrick Y Tam3, Feng Qiu4, Maral Ouzounian5, Thomas F Lindsay6, Harindra C Wijeysundera7, Jennifer C-Y Chung8. 1. Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/KevinAnMD. 2. Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, St Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 3. Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 4. ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 5. Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/OuzounianMD. 6. Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 7. Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/hwijeysundera. 8. Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: jennifer.chung@uhn.ca.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Survivors of acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) repair remain at risk for long-term complications. Guidelines recommend postoperative imaging surveillance, but adherence is uncertain. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to define the real-world frequency of postoperative imaging and characterize long-term outcomes of ATAAD. METHODS: Population-based administrative health databases for Ontario, Canada, were linked to identify patients who underwent ATAAD repair and survived at least 90 days. Guideline-directed imaging surveillance (GDIS) was defined as undergoing a computed tomographic or magnetic resonance imaging scan at 6 and 12 months postoperatively and then annually thereafter. Multivariable time-to-event analysis explored the associations between GDIS and all-cause mortality and reintervention. RESULTS: A total of 888 patients who survived urgent ATAAD repair between April 1, 2005, and March 31, 2018, were included. Median follow-up after ATAAD repair was 5.2 years (interquartile range: 2.4-7.9 years). A total of 14% patients received GDIS throughout follow-up. At 6 years, 3.9% of patients had received GDIS. The mortality rate was 4% at 1 year, 14% at 5 years, and 29% at 10 years. Incidence of aortic reintervention was 3% at 1 year, 9% at 5 years, and 17% at 10 years; the majority of these were urgent (68%), and they carried a 9% 30-day mortality rate. Greater adherence to GDIS was associated with mortality (hazard ratio: 1.08; 95% confidence interval: 1.05-1.11) and reintervention (hazard ratio: 1.04; 95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.07). CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to GDIS following ATAAD repair is poor, while long-term mortality and reinterventions remain substantial. Further research is needed to determine if guidelines should be modified.
BACKGROUND: Survivors of acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) repair remain at risk for long-term complications. Guidelines recommend postoperative imaging surveillance, but adherence is uncertain. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to define the real-world frequency of postoperative imaging and characterize long-term outcomes of ATAAD. METHODS: Population-based administrative health databases for Ontario, Canada, were linked to identify patients who underwent ATAAD repair and survived at least 90 days. Guideline-directed imaging surveillance (GDIS) was defined as undergoing a computed tomographic or magnetic resonance imaging scan at 6 and 12 months postoperatively and then annually thereafter. Multivariable time-to-event analysis explored the associations between GDIS and all-cause mortality and reintervention. RESULTS: A total of 888 patients who survived urgent ATAAD repair between April 1, 2005, and March 31, 2018, were included. Median follow-up after ATAAD repair was 5.2 years (interquartile range: 2.4-7.9 years). A total of 14% patients received GDIS throughout follow-up. At 6 years, 3.9% of patients had received GDIS. The mortality rate was 4% at 1 year, 14% at 5 years, and 29% at 10 years. Incidence of aortic reintervention was 3% at 1 year, 9% at 5 years, and 17% at 10 years; the majority of these were urgent (68%), and they carried a 9% 30-day mortality rate. Greater adherence to GDIS was associated with mortality (hazard ratio: 1.08; 95% confidence interval: 1.05-1.11) and reintervention (hazard ratio: 1.04; 95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.07). CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to GDIS following ATAAD repair is poor, while long-term mortality and reinterventions remain substantial. Further research is needed to determine if guidelines should be modified.
Authors: John A Treffalls; Christopher B Sylvester; Umang Parikh; Rodrigo Zea-Vera; Christopher T Ryan; Qianzi Zhang; Todd K Rosengart; Matthew J Wall; Joseph S Coselli; Subhasis Chatterjee; Ravi K Ghanta Journal: JTCVS Open Date: 2022-07-11