Total aortic arch aneurysm repair using a stent graft without cardiac or cerebral ischemia

A 74-year-old man with an aortic arch aneurysm and a chronic type IIIb aortic dissection underwent total aortic arch repair without cerebral or cardiac ischemia. After confirming no atheromatous change in the ascending aortic wall, a custom-designed 4-limbed graft, prepared for both arterial return of cardiopulmonary bypass and reconstruction of the arch vessels, was anastomosed onto the right side of the ascending aorta. The 3 arch vessels were then bypassed sequentially during systemic cooling and monitoring cerebral perfusion with near-infrared oxymetry. After aortic cross-clamping, a stent graft was inserted into the distal arch from the distal ascending aorta, maintaining cerebral and cardiac perfusion. This procedure is indicated especially in a high-risk patient who has an aortic arch aneurysm without severe atheromatous change in the ascending aorta and the arch vessels.