A new look at acute type-A dissection of the aorta.

A new method of treating acute type-A dissection of the aorta is described and illustrated. It involves the reconstruction of both the valve and the ascending aorta. This procedure was employed in 17 patients, 2 of whom succumbed early of complications unrelated to the method while one committed suicide at a later date. One of the surviving patients required reoperation due to breakdown of a resuspended aortic commissure. Two patients show minor non-progressive valve regurgitation in the absence of annulo-aortic ectasia. Two patients have developed dilatation of the aortic root--one will require reoperation in the foreseeable future. In our hands, this method has served to make emergency operation for acute aortic dissection both simpler and safer. The limitations of its use are discussed.