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Objectives Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) is often required for patients undergoing repair of descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (DTAA) or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm via left thoracotomy when proximal crossclamping is not feasible or when aneurysmal disease extends into the transverse aortic arch. Historical literature suggests higher complications rates due to the technical complexity of this approach; we examined outcomes with this approach at our center. Methods Between January 2008 and May 2018, 84 patients with DTAA or Crawford extent I thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm underwent open repair. DHCA was employed in 46 of 84 (55%) patients, of which 33 (72%) required repair of distal arch and DTAA, and 13 (28%) required repair of the distal arch and extent I thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. Patients who underwent DHCA had more chronic dissections than those in the non-DHCA group (70% vs 34%; P ≤ .05). Results Major adverse outcomes for the DHCA group versus non-DHCA group were as follows: early mortality 3 out of 46 (7%) versus 4 out of 38 (11%) (P = .70), stroke 3 out of 46 (7%) versus 1 out of 38 (3%) (P = .62), permanent spinal cord deficit 2 out of 46 (4%) versus 3 out of 38 (8%) (P = .65), permanent renal failure necessitating dialysis 1 out of 46 (2%) versus 2 out of 38 (5%) (P = .59). Freedom from major adverse outcomes was 38 out of 46 (83%) versus 31 out of 38 (82%) for DHCA versus non-DHCA (P = 1). Conclusions DHCA can be employed via left thoracotomy for combined arch and DTAA or extent I thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm open repair.

OBJECTIVE Valve-sparing root replacement is commonly used for management of aortic root aneurysms in elective setting, but its technical complexity hinders its broader adoption for acute type-A aortic dissection (ATAAD). The Florida sleeve (FS) procedure is a simplified form of valve sparing aortic root reconstruction that does not require coronary reimplantation. Here, we present our outcomes of the FS repair in patients with dilated roots in the setting of an ATAAD. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 24 consecutive patients (2002-2018) treated with FS procedure for ATAAD. Demographic, operative, and postoperative outcomes were queried from our institutional database. Long term follow-up was obtained from clinic visits for local patients, and with telephone and telehealth measures otherwise. RESULTS Mean age was 49 ± 14 years with 19 (79%) males. Marfan syndrome was present in 4 (16.7%) patients and 14 (58.3) had ≥2+ aortic insufficiency (AI). Nine (37.2%) had preoperative mal-perfusion or shock. The FS was combined with hemi-arch replacement in 15 (62.5%) patients and a zone-2 arch replacement in 9 (37.5%) patients. There were 2 (8.3%) early postoperative mortalities. Median follow-up period was 46 months (range, 0.3-146). The median survival of the entire cohort was 143.4 months. One patient (4.2%) required redo aortic valve replacement for unrelated aortic valve endocarditis at 30 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION FS is simplified and reproducible valve-sparing root repair. In appropriate patients, it can be applied safely in acute Stanford type-A aortic dissection with excellent early and long-term results.