Is Bentall Procedure Still the Gold Standard for Acute Aortic Dissection with Aortic Root Involvement?

INTRODUCTION: The "ideal" treatment of acute aortic dissection type A (AADA) with dissected and dilated root is controversial. We compared the outcome of classical Bentall procedure (biological and mechanical) with valve-sparing David procedure. METHODS: Between January 2002 and July 2011, 119 patients with AADA and aortic root involvement underwent surgery at our center. Thirty-one patients (group 1) received biological conduits, 41 (group 2) received mechanical conduits, and 47 (group 3) underwent David procedures. RESULTS: Cross-clamp, cardiopulmonary bypass, and circulatory arrest times were 151 ± 52, 232 ± 84, and 36 ± 30 minutes (group 1); 148 ± 44, 237 ± 91, and 45 ± 29 minutes (group 2); and 160 ± 46, 231 ± 63, and 35 ± 17 minutes (group 3), respectively. The 30-day mortality rates were 32.3% (group 1), 22% (group 2), and 12.8% (group 3). The 1-year rates for freedom from valve-related reoperation were 100% (group 1), 92.5% (group 2), and 95.2% (group 3) (p = 0.172). The 1-year survival rates were 61% (group 1), 61% (group 2), and 84.1% (group 3) (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Even in AADA patients with root involvement, David procedure has acceptable results. David procedure (if possible) or a Bio-Bentall (for pathological valves) seems to be the optimal technique.