The timing of elective ascending aortic aneurysm replacement for non-syndromic patients and the implication of bicuspid aortic valve-related aortopathy

The outcome of patients with acute type A aortic dissection, or rupture, remains bleak. Based upon a recent report from International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection (IRAD), the early mortality for patients undergoing surgical repair is 18% in experienced aortic centers (1). This represent a drop of only 7% over a 17-year span despite significant improvements in surgical techniques, perioperative care and pharmacotherapy (1,2).