Effect of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) on mortality of total arch replacement in subacute/chronic type A aortic dissection

BACKGROUND: Preoperative reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is a prognostic factor for postoperative mortality following cardiovascular surgery. We investigated the relationship between the LVEF and the outcome of total arch replacement (TAR) in patients with subacute/chronic type A aortic dissection (TAAD). METHODS: A total of 136 patients with subacute/chronic TAAD who received a TAR at Beijing Anzhen hospital from January 2015 to January 2018 were included in the analysis. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between the LVEF and the surgical outcome in this subset of patients. RESULTS: The in-hospital mortality rate 4.4%, and 6.6% of patients experienced neurologic complications. During the median follow-up period of 3.97 years [interquartile range (IQR) 3.20–4.67 years], the all-cause mortality was 10.3% (14/136). The multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis demonstrated that reduced LVEF was an independent predictor of mid-term mortality (hazards ratio =0.93, 95% CI: 0.86–0.99, P=0.03). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients with a LVEF <55% had a significantly worse prognosis than those with a LVEF ≥55%. CONCLUSIONS: During the mid-term follow-up period, subacute/chronic TAAD patients had a satisfactory surgical survival rate following TAR. Patients with a reduced LVEF had higher postoperative mortality following TAR. Thus, subacute/chronic TAAD patients with LVEF <55% should be carefully evaluated to determine their suitability for elective repair with TAR.