Cardiac surgery under perfusionless hypothermia: Siberian experience

Between January 1995 and December 1999, 942 patients (452 males and 490 females) aged 1 to 51 years underwent definitive surgery under perfusionless hypothermia for correction of congenital heart defects, predominantly uncomplicated ventricular or atrial septal defects (80%). Hypothermia of 24 degrees C to 28 degrees C was achieved in 15 to 45 minutes (mean, 25.7 +/- 1.2 minutes) by application of crushed ice over the body and head. Aortic crossclamp time ranged from 10 to 76 minutes (mean, 26.1 +/- 0.25 minutes). Cardiac restoration time ranged from 1 to 10 minutes (mean, 2.1 +/- 0.08 minutes). Eight patients (0.85%) died postoperatively: 4 from acute cardiac insufficiency, 2 as a consequence of technical faults, 1 from persistent pulmonary hypertension, and 1 had sudden cardiac arrest. None of the surviving patients showed any gross neurological deficit. Perfusionless hypothermic cardiac surgery, when applied appropriately, is safe and simple, and might still have a place in treating a selected group of patients with uncomplicated congenital heart defects.