Table 1 Patients and intra-operative characteristics (n = 91)

Age (years) Mean (SD)

70 ± 10

Gender

 Male

67 (74%)

NYHA Class at operation

2 ± 1

Comorbidities

 Renal insufficiency (GFR < 60 ml/min)

17 (17%)

 Marfan syndrome

1 (1%)

Indication

 Ascending aortic aneurysm

65 (72%)

 Type A aortic dissection

10 (11%)

 Acute endocarditis on native valve

1 (1%)

 Acute endocarditis on prosthesis

12 (13%)

 Aortic valve regurgitation

46 (51%)

 Aortic stenosis

18 (20%)

 Mixed aortic valve lesion

 Bicuspid aortic valve

28 (31%)

Emergency

16 (18%)

Redo Surgery

22 (24%)

 CPB time (min, mean)

114 ± 52

 Aortic cross clamp time (min, mean)

93 ± 46

Extension of the aorta replacement

Root and ascending aorta

76 (84%)

Root, ascending aorta and partial arch

9 (10%)

Root and ascending aorta and total arch

5 (5%)

Total Elephant Trunk

1 (1%)

Concomitant procedure

 CABG

22 (24%)

 Mitral valve procedure (repair/replacement)

5 (6%)

 Tricuspid annuloplasty

3 (3%)

 AF ablation and Left Atrial Appendage Closure

5 (5%)

 Combination

44 (48%)

Size of graft implanted

21 mm

1 (1%)

23 mm

12 (13%)

25 mm

26 (29%)

27 mm

39 (43%)

29 mm

13 (14%)

Surgical technique

 Interrupted single, non-everting, pledged, reinforced U-stiches (supra-annular level)

33(36%)

 Interrupted single, everting, pledged, reinforced U-stiches (intra-annular level)

58(64%)