Late results of the surgical treatment for aortic dissections.

The results of 32 patients who had undergone surgery for aortic dissections were analyzed. Twenty-six patients were examined in hospital during the follow-up study while one patient refused the examination and 5 others had succumbed. The average follow-up was 42.6 months. Late functional status was generally good. Resuspension of the aortic annulus for incompetent aortic valves in type I and II dissections resulted in grave aortic regurgitation and death in one case, and in mild valvular incompetence in another case, while 5 patients had competent valves after resuspension. Computed tomography (CT) and angiographic studies frequently revealed residual changes such as double lumen of the aorta. Five subsequent aortic aneurysms were discovered, 4 of them having been reoperated after the study was completed. Periodical follow-up and screening of the aorta of operative survivors is recommended.