Abstract 15937: The Impact of Social Vulnerability on Aortic Arch Surgery

Abstract

Introduction: Socioeconomic status is a known factor influencing morbidity and mortality. The CDC’s social vulnerability index (SVI) quantifies neighborhood-level vulnerability. Although high SVI has been associated with adverse outcomes in trauma, CABG, and AAA repair, its impact on aortic arch surgery remains unknown. Hypothesis: In total aortic arch (TAR) and hemiarch (HAR) replacement, higher SVI will correlate with increased comorbidities, surgical acuity, and post-operative morbidity and mortality. Methods: This single-center retrospective study examined patients undergoing HAR and TAR performed for aortic aneurysm and/or dissection between 2010 and 2022. SVI was calculated by patient residential ZIP code. The cohort was stratified into three groups: SVI<0.33, SVI 0.33-0.66, and SVI≥0.66. The primary endpoint was postoperative mortality, with control for confounding bias through multivariable logistic regression. Results: For 753 patients, higher SVI correlated with more baseline comorbidities and minority status. SVI was associated with dissection pathology (p=0.04) and urgent/emergent procedure (p=0.02). Higher SVI was associated with TAR (p=0.01), reflected by lower nadir bladder temperatures (p=0.01), longer cardiopulmonary bypass (p=0.02) and circulatory arrest times(p=0.01), and more coagulation product usage. High SVI patients had longer length of stay, higher rates of infection (p=0.01) and a trend towards increased stroke risk. SVI did not correlate with in-hospital or late mortality, confirmed by multivariable regression. Conclusion: Socially vulnerable patients, often from minority backgrounds, tend to have more comorbidities and present urgently or emergently with dissection pathology, requiring more extensive arch repair. Post-procedure, they have a higher risk of infection and a trend towards more stoke risk, but not higher rates of other adverse outcomes or increased mortality during or after hospital stay.