External wrapping of the ascending aorta versus ascending aorta replacement: Systematic review and meta-analysis

The authors aimed to compare the outcomes of external wrapping of the ascending aorta with the standard ascending aorta replacement in patients with a moderately dilated ascending aorta. Their systematic review and meta-analysis found no significant differences in 30-day and midterm mortality between the two procedures, although external wrapping was associated with shorter cardiopulmonary bypass and hospital stays. Despite these findings, the authors concluded that ascending aorta replacement remains the gold standard due to limitations in the study's design and variability in patient outcomes.