Supra-aortic vessel reconstruction in total arch replacement for acute type A dissection: Comparison of en bloc and separate graft techniques

Summary Objective To compare the outcomes of the en bloc and branched graft techniques for supra-aortic vessel reconstruction in total arch replacement (TAR) for acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD). Methods In 53 ATAAD patients with intact supra-aortic arch vessels undergoing TAR, the arch vessels were reconstructed using the branched graft technique in 35 patients and en bloc technique in 18, i.e. reimplantation of the innominate artery and the left carotid artery (LCA) and transposition of left subclavian artery to LCA. The early and mid-term outcomes were compared between two groups. Results The selective antegrade cerebral perfusion time in en bloc group was significantly longer (33 ± 10 vs 24 ± 7 min, p  = 0.001). Operative mortality was 5.7% (3/53), including 1 and 2 in the en bloc and branched graft groups, respectively (5.6% vs 5.7%, p  = 0.981). Stroke occurred in 1 patient. No spinal cord injury occurred. At mean 4.3 ± 1.6 years, clinical and CT follow-up were complete in 100% and 86% (43/50). No cerebrovascular accidents or upper extremity claudication occurred. There were 4 deaths and 1 reintervention in follow-up. Survival was 88.6% and 88.9% at 3 months, and 83.3% and 88.6% at 6 months, 3 and 5 years in the en bloc and branched graft groups, respectively ( p  = 0.597). The arch vessels were patent in 100% (43/43) without stenosis or aneurysm. Conclusions The modified en bloc technique could achieve comparable early and mid-term outcomes to the branched graft technique in patients undergoing TAR for ATAAD. This approach may be an alternative technique for ATAAD patients with intact supra-aortic arch vessels.