Ever since it was first described in 1760, acute type A aortic dissection has created difficulties in its management. The recent COVID-19 pandemic revealed that extrapulmonary manifestations of this condition may occur, and recent reports suggested that aortic dissection may be amongst them since it shares a common physiopathology, that is, hyper-inflammatory syndrome. Cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass in the setting of COVID-19-positive patients carries a high risk of postoperative respiratory failure. While the vast majority accept that management of type A aortic dissection requires urgent surgery and central aortic therapy, there are some reports that advocate for delaying surgery. In this situation, the risk of aortic rupture must be balanced with the possible benefits of delaying urgent surgery. We present a case of acute type A dissection with COVID-19-associated bronchopneumonia successfully managed after delaying surgery for 6 days.

BACKGROUND: Acute Type A Aortic Dissection (ATAAD) is a cardiothoracic emergency that requires urgent intervention. Elderly status, particularly age over 80, is an independent risk factor for mortality and morbidity. The mid-term outcomes of this age group are also unknown. This systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies was therefore performed to analyse short- and mid-term mortality and morbidity in octogenarians following surgery for ATAAD.
METHODS: A systematic review was conducted for studies published since January 2000. The primary endpoint was short-term mortality, either reported as 30-day mortality or in-hospital mortality and medium-term (five year) survival. Secondary endpoints were rates of postoperative complications, namely stroke, acute renal failure (ARF), re-exploration and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS).
RESULTS: A total of 16 retrospective studies, with a total of 16, 641 patients were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Pooled analysis demonstrated that octogenarian cohorts are at significantly higher risk of short-term mortality than non-octogenarians (OR 1.93; 95% CI 1.33-2.81; P < 0.001). Actuarial survival was significantly lower in the octogenarian cohort, with a five-year survival in the octogenarian cohort of 54% compared to 76% in the non-octogenarian cohort (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between the cohorts in terms of secondary outcomes: stroke, ARF, re-exploration or ICU LOS.
CONCLUSIONS: Octogenarians are twice as likely to die in the short-term following surgery for ATAAD and demonstrate a significantly lower five-year actuarial survival. Patients and family members should be well informed of the risks of surgery and suitable octogenarians selected for surgery.

Background: Risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) after Stanford type A aortic dissection (TAAD) repair are inconsistent in different studies. This meta-analysis systematically analyzed the risk factors so as to early identify the therapeutic targets for preventing AKI.Methods: Studies exploring risk factors for AKI after TAAD repair were searched from four databases from inception to June 2022. The synthesized incidence and risk factors of AKI and its impact on mortality were calculated.Results: Twenty studies comprising 8223 patients were included. The synthesized incidence of postoperative AKI was 50.7%. Risk factors for AKI included cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time >180 min [odds ratio (OR), 4.89, 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.06-11.61, I2 = 0%], prolonged operative time (>7 h) (OR, 2.73, 95% CI, 1.95-3.82, I2 = 0), advanced age (per 10 years) (OR, 1.34, 95% CI, 1.21-1.49, I2 = 0], increased packed red blood cells (pRBCs) transfusion perioperatively (OR, 1.09, 95% CI, 1.07-1.11, I2 = 42%), elevated body mass index (per 5 kg/m2) (OR, 1.23, 95% CI, 1.18-1.28, I2 = 42%) and preoperative kidney injury (OR, 3.61, 95% CI, 2.48-5.28, I2 = 45%). All results were meta-analyzed using fixed-effects model finally (p < 0.01). The in-hospital or 30-day mortality was higher in patients with postoperative AKI than in that without AKI [risk ratio (RR), 3.12, 95% CI, 2.54-3.85, p < 0.01].Conclusions: AKI after TAAD repair increased the in-hospital or 30-day mortality. Reducing CPB time and pRBCs transfusion, especially in elderly or heavier weight patients, or patients with preoperative kidney injury were important to prevent AKI after TAAD repair surgery.

Altered proteoglycan (PG) and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) distribution within the aortic wall has been implicated in thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD). This review was conducted to identify literature reporting the presence, distribution and role of PGs and GAGs in the normal aorta and differences associated with sporadic TAAD to address the question; is there enough evidence to establish the role of GAGs/PGs in TAAD? 75 studies were included, divided into normal aorta (n = 51) and TAAD (n = 24). There is contradictory data regarding changes in GAGs upon ageing; most studies reported an increase in GAG sub-types, often followed by a decrease upon further ageing. Fourteen studies reported changes in PG/GAG or associated degradation enzyme levels in TAAD, with most increased in disease tissue or serum. We conclude that despite being present at relatively low abundance in the aortic wall, PGs and GAGs play an important role in extracellular matrix maintenance, with differences observed upon ageing and in association with TAAD. However, there is currently insufficient information to establish a cause-effect relationship with an underlying mechanistic understanding of these changes requiring further investigation. Increased PG presence in serum associated with aortic disease highlights the future potential of these biomolecules as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers.

Cushing\'s syndrome and Cushing\'s disease cause various metabolic disorders associated with high cortisol levels. Some reports have shown that Cushing\'s syndrome is complicated with dissecting aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection after long-term exposure to high cortisol levels. We herein report a rare case of aortic dissection complicated with Cushing\'s disease. Aortic dissection may occur even under relatively short periods of high cortisol conditions. This case suggests that hypercortisolemia should be treated as soon as possible in order to prevent aortic dissection in subjects with Cushing\'s disease.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate the risk factors for permanent neurological dysfunction (PND) after Stanford type A aortic dissection (TAAD).
METHODS: Electronic databases included PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP, and CBM. We collected studies about risk factors for PND after TAAD was published from inception to December 2021. Two authors independently assessed the quality of the studies, and a meta-analysis was performed by RevMan 5.3 Software.
RESULTS: A total of 20 studies involved 11382 cases, and among them, 1321 patients suffered PND, including 34 predictive risk factors. The meta-analysis showed that age (OR=1.11, 95% CI (1.06, 1.16), P < 0.0001), preoperative PND (OR=2.95, 95% CI (2.14, 4.07), P < 0.00001), retrograde tear in the ascending aorta (OR=6.67, 95% CI (3.23, 13.79), P < 0.00001) were independent risk factors for PND after TAAD surgery.
CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence shows that age, preoperative PND, retrograde tearing in the ascending aorta are risk factors for PND after TAAD. These factors can be used to identify high-risk patients, providing guidance for medical staff to develop perioperative preventive strategies to reduce the incidence of PND. The results should be validated by higher-quality studies.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive comparison of outcomes following acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) repair in males and females.
METHODS: PubMed, Medline, and Web of Science were systematically searched by two authors for studies published from January 1st, 2000, to May 10th, 2021. Overall, 2405 articles were screened, and 16 were included in this review. Meta-analysis of the compiled data was performed.
RESULTS: Pooled estimates indicated no difference in operative (odds ratio (OR) 1.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59-1.67, P=0.99, I2=52%), in-hospital (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.56-1.08; P=0.13, I2=57%), and 30-day mortality (OR 1.09, 95% CI 0.83-1.43, P=0.52, I2=45%) between the sexes. However, males had significantly reduced 5-year mortality rates (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.51-1.00, P=0.05, I2=45%). There was no difference between sexes in rates of postoperative stroke (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.86-1.33, P=0.54, I2=0%), atrial fibrillation (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.82-1.19, P=0.92, I2=0%), as well as mesenteric or limb ischemia (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.22-2.43, P=0.61, I2=77%; OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.30-2.30, P=0.72, I2=76%, respectively). Males did experience significantly increased rates of acute renal failure and reoperation (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.16-1.56, P=0.0001, I2=29%; OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.09-1.81, P=0.010, I2=42%).
CONCLUSIONS: Composite analysis indicates that early mortality does not differ between the sexes; however, late outcomes favor males. Differences in preoperative presentation and subsequent procedure selection between the sexes likely contribute to the disparity in late outcomes. Decision-making for surgical treatment of ATAAD should account for sex-specific risk factors.

Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is a connective tissue disorder that arises from mutations altering the transforming growth factor β signalling pathway. Due to the recent discovery of the underlying genetic mutations leading to LDS, the spectrum of characteristics and complications is not fully understood.
Our search included five databases (Pubmed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, EMBASE and google scholar) and included variations of \"Loeys-Dietz Syndrome\" as search terms, using all available data until February 2021. All study types were included. Three reviewers screened 1394 abstracts, of which 418 underwent full-text review and 392 were included in the final analysis.
We identified 3896 reported cases of LDS with the most commonly reported features and complications being: aortic aneurysms and dissections, arterial tortuosity, high arched palate, abnormal uvula and hypertelorism. LDS Types 1 and 2 share many clinical features, LDS Type 2 appears to have a more aggressive aortic disease. LDS Type 3 demonstrated an increased prevalence of mitral valve prolapse and arthritis. LDS Type 4 and 5 demonstrated a lower prevalence of musculoskeletal and cardiovascular involvement. Amongst 222 women who underwent 522 pregnancies, 4% experienced an aortic dissection and the peripartum mortality rate was 1%.
We observed that LDS is a multisystem connective tissue disorder that is associated with a high burden of complications, requiring a multidisciplinary approach. Ongoing attempts to better characterise these features will allow clinicians to appropriately screen and manage these complications.

OBJECTIVE: Type A acute aortic dissection (TAAAD) complicated with cerebral malperfusion (CM) is a life-threatening condition associated with high mortality, poor outcomes, and the optimal surgical management remains controversial. The aim of this review was to report the current results of surgical interventions of these patients.
METHODS: A systematic review was performed using PubMed and MEDLINE search for cases underwent surgical repair for TAAAD with CM. Demographics, neurological symptom, the time from onset of symptoms to operation, operation data, mortality, neurological outcome, and follow-up were reviewed.
RESULTS: A total of 363 patients with mean age of 65.7 ± 13 years underwent surgical repair for TAAAD with CM were identified in 12 retrospective studies. In-hospital mortality was 20.1%. Mean duration of follow-up was 40.1 ± 37.6 months. The involved supra-aortic branch vessels were RCCA (n = 99), LCCA (n = 25), B-CCA (n = 52), CCA (n = 131), IA (n = 19), and LSA (n = 8). Time from onset of neurological symptoms to surgery was 13.3 h. Antegrade and/or retrograde cerebral perfusion were applied. Postoperatively, improved, unchanged and worsened neurological status was occurred in 54.3%, 27.1%, and 8.5%, respectively in 199 patients.
CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes of surgical treatment of TAAAD complicated with CM indicate acceptable early mortality and morbidity. It is reasonable to perform lifesaving surgery on these patients. Early central surgical repair and reperfusion of brain may improve the outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The outcomes of surgery for acute Stanford Type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) extend beyond mortality and morbidity. The aim of this systematic review was to summarise the literature surrounding health related quality of life (HR-QOL) following ATAAD, compare the outcomes to the standardised population, and to assess the impact of advanced age on HRQOL outcomes following surgery.
METHODS: A systematic review of studies after January 2000 was performed to identify HR-QOL in patients following surgery for ATAAD. Electronic searches of three databases were performed and clinical studies extracted by two independent reviewers. Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Quality appraisal was conducted utilizing predefined criteria on pilot forms. HR-QOL results were synthesized through a narrative review of included studies.
RESULTS: There was significant attrition in HR-QOL of patients following surgery for ATAAD. Outcomes fared worse when compared to an age adjusted normative population. Of note, elderly patients were physically vulnerable, whereas younger populations may be more mentally vulnerable to postoperative sequalae. The included studies were quite heterogeneous in their study designs, methods, HR-QOL measures reported and follow up time-frames which limited direct comparison between studies.
CONCLUSIONS: HR-QOL outcomes are adversely affected when compared to preoperative status and physical health demonstrates significant attrition over time. HR-QOL outcomes are worse off when compared to an age matched general population. In terms of age, advancing age is associated with worse physical component scores but emotional health may fare better than younger patients.