Introduction
Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) is one of the most dramatic life-threatening diseases with an incidence that may be significantly higher than previously assumed based on previous retrospective studies [1-5]. This is underlined by the fact that up to one-half of ATAAD cases are detected only at autopsy [5]. Accumulation of experience, development of diagnostic tools, and improved treatment strategies have resulted in improved results of surgical treatment over time: according to International Registry of Aortic Dissection (IRAD), operative mortality dropped over time from 25 to 18% [6]. However, mortality rates remain very high in the group of patients presenting with unstable, critical conditions: about one-third of ATAAD patients present with hemodynamical instability or malperfusion of one or more organ systems [7]. The surgical options for ATAAD treatment include an impressive range of aortic interventions, depending on the extent of pathology and patient’s condition. In this study, we present an overall review of results of one of the most commonly performed procedures in ATAAD patients – aortic root replacement with the Bentall procedure.