Risk factors of atheromatous aorta in cardiovascular surgery

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and profile of ascending aorta or aortic arch atheromatous disease in cardiovascular surgery patients, its risk factors and its prognostic implication early after surgery. METHODS: Between January 2007 and June 2011, 2042 consecutive adult patients were analyzed, with no exclusion criteria. Atheromatous aorta diagnosis was determined intraoperatively by surgeon palpation of the aorta. Determinants of atheromatous aorta, as well as its prognostic implication were studied by multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Prevalence of atheromatous aorta was 3.3% (68 patients). Determinants were age > 61 years (OR= 2.79; CI95%= 2.43 - 3.15; P<0.0001), coronary artery disease (OR=3.1; CI95%=2.8 - 3.44; P=0.002), hypertension (OR=2.26; CI95%=1.82 - 2.7; P=0.03) and peripheral vascular disease (OR=3.15; CI95%= 2.83 - 3.46; P=0.04). Atheromatous aorta was an independent predictor of postoperative cerebrovascular accident (OR=3.46; CI95%=3.18 - 3.76; P=0.01). CONCLUSION: Although infrequent, the presence of atheromatous aorta is associated with advanced age, hypertension, coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease. In those patients, a more detailed preoperative and intraoperative assessment of the aorta is justified, due to greater risk of postoperative cerebrovascular accident.