From January 1980 to Dezember 1990, 109 patients, 86 males and 16 females, ranging in age from 12 to 70 years, were operatated on for aneurysms or chronic dissections of the ascending aorta, associated or not to aortic valve insufficiency. Thirty-four patients were in New York Heart Association class IV, 51 in class III, 18 in class II and six in class I. Fifty-two patients had chronic aortic dissection, 29 annulo-aortic ectasia, 10 saaular aneurysm, remaining 8 ethiologics. The early mortality was 12.8% (14 deaths). Twenthy-seven patients were lost for follow-up during a period ranging from three months to 10 years (average 82 months). The late mortality was 13.4% (11/82). Among the 72 patients survivors, clinicai improvement was observed in the majority of patients (90.5% are in class I or II). Among the several operative techniques, the Bentatt and De Bono showed better early survival and is preferable option when indicated. The actuarial curve showed a 70% survival for the whole group, after 120 months. The results observed in terms of survival and clinical improvement suggest that surgery is the treatment of choice for aneurysms and chronic dissections of ascending aorta.
aneurysms of ascending aorta; dissections of ascending aorta