Preoperative antithrombin III activity predicts outcome after surgical repair of acute type A aortic dissection

Background Acute Stanford type A aortic dissection is associated with substantial perioperative morbidity and mortality. A sepsis-like state may lead to antithrombin (AT) III consumption and deficiency. The impact of preoperative AT III activity on outcome in patients undergoing emergency surgery is yet unknown. Methods We measured preoperative AT III activity in 99 consecutive patients undergoing emergency aortic surgery for Stanford type A aortic dissection during a 4-year period in a retrospective study. Cardiovascular co-morbidities, risk factors and surgical data were recorded and patients were followed for 30-day mortality, and occurrence of multiple organ failure (MOF). Results During the first 30 days, 15 patients (15%) died, and 8 patients (8%) had MOF. Median AT III levels (IQR) in 30-day non-survivors versus survivors were 64% (52–72) versus 90% (75–97) (p < 0.001), and in patients with versus without MOF were 66% (52.3–77.3) versus 88% (72–96) (p = 0.018), respectively. Adjusted odds ratios for 30-day mortality and MOF for AT III activity (per % increments) were 0.92 (p = 0.007), and 0.96 (p = 0.012), respectively, indicating a significant inverse relationship between AT III activity and outcome. Conclusion There is a strong inverse association between preoperative AT III activity and adverse outcome in patients undergoing surgical repair of acute Stanford type A aortic dissection. Larger studies are necessary to determine a cut-off value for AT III and to assess whether patients with low AT III levels benefit targeted therapeutic interventions.