Introduction:
Stanford A acute aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition. The severity of the disease and delayed diagnosis or surgery contribute to high mortality rates. However, improvements in the diagnostic process and treatment process have been introduced in recent years.

Aim of the research:
This study aims to evaluate recent results of treatment and clinical characteristics of patients hospitalised due to acute aortic dissection type A, classified according to the Stanford classification.

Material and methods:
A retrospective analysis of a single-centre registry was performed, involving 55 patients admitted with acute aortic dissection type A as per the Stanford classification. Clinical characteristics of admitted patients and in-hospital outcomes were assessed.

Results:
Men accounted for 74.5% of the analysed population. Admitted women were older than men (median: 70.5 vs. 58 years; p = 0.010). The median ascending aortic diameter was 48 mm. Arterial hypertension (HA) was reported in 30.9% of patients, and 41.2% of them were on pharmacotherapy for HA. Elevated blood pressure values at admission were observed in 27.3% of patients, of whom only 26.7% had a documented history of hypertension. All admitted patients were qualified for emergency cardiac surgery. Supracoronary aortic grafting procedure was performed in 57.4% of patients, and the Bentall procedure was performed in 42.6%. In-hospital mortality was recorded at 21.8% of cases, of which 58.3% were intraoperative deaths.

Conclusions:
The perioperative mortality for acute aortic dissection type A, as per Stanford classification, remains high despite diagnostic and surgical advancements. Uncontrolled arterial hypertension is associated with dissection risk even in moderately enlarged aortas.