Study population
A total of 27 patients with ATAAD were selected for the study. Of those,
four patients were excluded: two because they did not follow surgical
protocol, one because of intraoperative death, and one because of a lack
of resources. The control group consisted of 20 patients who underwent
elective surgery of the ascending aorta and/or the aortic root. A
preoperative written or oral consent by the patient or the next of kin
was retrieved before any collection of data in all ATAAD patients. A
preoperative written consent was obtained by all elective control
patients.