digitoxin and Aortic-Dissection

The early and long-term results of both surgical and nonsurgical therapy for 160 patients with acute aortic dissection in our institution were analyzed. Of the 83 patients with acute type A aortic dissection, 47 received surgery during acute stage, 10 received it in the chronic stage, and 26 received nonsurgical therapy. Of the 77 patients with acute type B aortic dissection, 27 received surgery during acute stage, 22 received it in the chronic stage, and 28 received nonsurgical therapy. Ten-year survival rates for patients receiving surgery during the acute stage were 62% for type A and 64% for type B dissection. This survival rate for type A patients was significantly higher than that for type A patients not receiving surgery, but the corresponding difference for type B patients was not significant. Present data indicate that immediate surgical intervention is indicated in patients with acute type A dissection, and elective operation in the subacute stage in patient with uncomplicated type B dissection following medical therapy in the acute stage.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Aorta; Aortic Aneurysm; Aortic Dissection; Blood Vessel Prosthesis; Digitalis; Diuretics; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Plants, Medicinal; Plants, Toxic; Survival Rate; Time Factors