Abstract

Significant dilemma exists regarding management of the aortic root pathology in acute aortic dissections. Several strategies for both repair and replacement exist and there is a lack of clarity on the superiority of one over the other. Important factors that influence management strategies include involvement of the sinuses, competence of the aortic valve, presence of Marfan's syndrome and connective tissue disorders, as well as availability of surgical expertise. The wide variability in these factors makes it unlikely for any one technique to be suitable for management of all aortic roots and the root pathology has to be tailored to an individual patient.