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Neurologic dysfunction remains an ongoing challenge in the diagnosis of type A aortic dissection (AAD). Our study analyzed the impact of preoperative neurologic dysfunction (PND) on outcome and assessed a potential link between PND and specific patterns of postoperative neurologic injury. Medical records of 338 patients (70.1% men; mean age, 59.3 ± 13.7 years) undergoing surgical repair for AAD were screened for the presence of PND. Preoperative characteristics, surgical treatment, and hospital and neurologic outcomes were analyzed according to patients with PND (PND+) and without PND (PND−) There were 50 patients (14.8%) admitted with PND. PND+ patients showed significantly higher rates of postoperative neurologic injury (44.4%) than PND− patients (14.3%; P <.001) with a specific pattern of ischemic lesions in accordance with preoperative neurologic status. While PND+ patients suffered mainly from right hemispheric strokes (66.7% vs 32.4% in PND− patients, P =.024), PND− patients more frequently presented with bilateral cerebral ischemia (56.8% vs 13.3% in PND+ patients, P =.004). Multivariable analysis identified presence of PND (odds ratio, 2.977; 95% confidence interval, 1.357-6.545) as an independent predictor for new postoperative neurologic injury. PND was associated with impaired survival (P =.005). This study identified an association of preoperative neurologic status and specific stroke patterns after surgical repair of AAD. Irrespective of timing of surgery and reperfusion strategies, preoperative neurologic dysfunction is strongly associated with impaired neurologic outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outcome data of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI)–induced cardiogenic shock (CS) receiving extracorporeal life support (ECLS) are sparse. A consecutive series of 106 patients with AMI-induced CS receiving ECLS was evaluated regarding ECLS weaning success, hospital mortality, and long-term outcome. The Intraaortic Balloon Pump in Cardiogenic Shock II (IABP-SHOCK II) risk score was applied, and multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed. Mean patient age was 58.2 ± 11.2 years, and 78.3% were men. In 34 patients (32.1%), ECLS was implemented during ongoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. De novo AMI was present in 58 patients (54.7%), and percutaneous coronary intervention complications were causative among 48 patients (45.3%). Multivessel coronary artery disease was diagnosed among 73.6% with mean Synergy between PCI with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) scores of 30.8 ± 4.8. Actuarial survival was 54.4% at 30 days, 42.2% at 1 year, and 38.0% at 5 years and was significantly higher among patients with low and intermediate IABP-SHOCK II risk scores at ECLS onset (log-rank P =.017). ECLS weaning with curative intention after a mean perfusion time of 6.6 ± 5.1 days was feasible in 51 patients (48.1%) and more likely among patients with complete revascularization (P =.026). Multivariable Cox regression analysis identified complete revascularization (hazard ratio, 2.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 5.1; P =.028) and absence of relevant mitral regurgitation at ECLS discontinuation (hazard ratio, 2.71; 95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 6.0; P =.014) to be associated with beneficial long-term survival after ECLS discontinuation. Emergency ECLS is a valuable option among patients with AMI-induced CS with low and intermediate IABP-SHOCK II risk scores. ECLS weaning is manageable, but additional revascularization of all nonculprit lesions is mandatory after ECLS implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]