Study population
A total of 27 patients with ATAAD were selected for the study. Of those, four patients were excluded: two because they did not follow surgical protocol, one because of intraoperative death, and one because of a lack of resources. The control group consisted of 20 patients who underwent elective surgery of the ascending aorta and/or the aortic root. A preoperative written or oral consent by the patient or the next of kin was retrieved before any collection of data in all ATAAD patients. A preoperative written consent was obtained by all elective control patients.