Objectives: The aim of the study is to compare the safety and efficacy of unilateral anterograde cerebral perfusion (UACP) and bilateral anterograde cerebral perfusion (BACP) for acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD). Methods: A systematic review of MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases (last search: August 7 th, 2021) was performed according to the PRISMA statement. Studies directly comparing UACP versus BACP for ATAAD were included. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed. Results: Eight retrospective cohort studies were identified, incorporating 2416 patients (UACP: 843, BACP: 1573). No statistically significant difference was observed regarding in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR]:1.05 [95% Confidence Interval (95%CI):0.70-1.57]), permanent neurological deficit (PND) (OR: 0.94 [95%CI:0.52-1.70]), transient neurological deficit (TND) (OR: 1.37 [95%CI:0.98-1.92]), renal failure (OR: 0.96 [95%CI:0.70-1.32]), and re-exploration for bleeding (OR: 0.77 [95%CI:0.48-1.22]). Meta-regression analysis revealed that PND and TND were not influenced by differences in rates of total arch repair, Bentall procedure and concomitant CABG in UACP and BACP groups. Cardiopulmonary bypass time (Standard Mean Difference [SMD]:-0.11 [95%CI:-0.22, 0.44]), Cross clamp time (SMD:-0.04 [95%CI:-0.38, 0.29]) and hypothermic circulatory arrest time (SMD:-0.12 [95%CI:-0.55, 0.30]) were comparable between UACP and BACP. Intensive care unit stay was shorter in BACP arm (SMD:0.16 [95%CI:0.01, 0.31]), however, length of hospital stay was shorter in UACP arm (SMD:-0.25 [95%CI:-0.45, -0.06]). Conclusions: UACP and BACP had similar results in terms of in-hospital mortality, PND, TND, renal failure and re-exploration for bleeding rate in patients with ATAAD. ICU stay was shorter in the BACP arm while LOS was shorter in the UACP arm.

Type A aortic dissection after percutaneous coronary intervention is a rare and life-threatening situation. The reported incidence ranges from 0,02% to 0,6% of all diagnostic and interventional percutaneous procedures. We describe a case of aortic dissection after percutaneous coronary intervention in a patient with acute myocardial infarction from spontaneous coronary artery dissection. The patient was initially treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention of the affected left coronary artery branches and left main coronary artery. Conservative management for the aortic dissection proved inadequate due to increasing diameter of the false lumen and the patient was referred to our cardiovascular unit for definite surgical management.

Pseudoaneurysms of the aorta are rare complications of cardiac surgery, and sternal re-entry to address the pathology is particularly challenging. In this case, we describe a rare presentation of thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm due to chronic erosion from a sternal wire, 10 years following the index operation. The patient was treated in two-stages, including carotid-subclavian bypass, followed by sternal re-entry with total arch replacement and frozen elephant trunk, employing cardiopulmonary bypass via femoral and axillary cannulation. Despite the high risks of rupture/haemorrhage associated with sternal re-entry, operative success for aortic pseudoaneurysms can be achieved with careful planning and safe bypass strategies.

At a time where delivering the best quality of care is the raison d’être of the health service, outliers can pose a serious challenge to both clinicians and policy makers. Methods of outlier detection are highly variable. The collection and assimilation of outcome variables can also be very challenging. Despite this, the publication of surgeon specific data has brought the concept of outliers into the public eye and the consequent punitive action affected upon surgeons can be deleterious to clinician psychology and patient perception. Simultaneously, positive outliers are rarely mentioned and never rewarded. Moving forward, the use of more objective outcomes, including novel biomarkers and patient-centred data, as well as innovative statistical strategies and management cultures, can positively evolve the healthcare paradigm for the future.

Background Porcine aortic roots (PAR) have been reported in the literature with acceptable short and long-term outcomes for the treatment of aortic root aneurysms. However, their efficacy in type A aortic dissection (TAAD) is yet to be defined. Methods Using data from a locally collated aortic dissection registry, we compared the outcomes in patients undergoing aortic root replacement for TAAD using either of two surgical options: i) PAR or ii) composite valve grafts (CVG). A retrospective analysis was conducted for all procedures in the period 2005-2018. Results A total of 252 patients underwent procedures for TAAD in the time period. Sixty-five patients had aortic root replacements (PAR n=30, CVG n=35). Between group comparisons identified a younger CVG group (50.5 vs 64.5, p<0.05) although all other covariates were comparable. Operative parameters were comparable between the two groups. The use of PAR did not significantly impact operative mortality (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.22-3.61, p=0.992), stroke (OR 2.91, 0.25 – 34.09, p=0.395), re-operation (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.22 – 3.62, p=0.882) or length of stay (coef 2.33, -8.23 – 12.90, p=0.659) compared to CVG. Five-year survival was similar between both groups (PAR 59% vs CVG 69%, p=0.153) and re-operation was negligible. Echocardiography revealed significantly lower aortic valve gradients in the PAR group (8.69 vs 15.45 mmHg, p<0.0001), and smaller left ventricular dimensions both at 6 weeks and 1 year follow up (p<0.05). Conclusions This study highlights the comparable short and mid-term outcomes of PAR in cases of TAAD, in comparison to established therapy.