Antegrade cerebral perfusion for acute type A aortic dissection in 120 consecutive patients

Treatment of acute type A aortic dissection remains a surgical challenge because of prolonged operative times, bleeding complications, and a considerable risk of neurologic morbidity and mortality. The following study investigates clinical results after modification of perfusion technique for cardiopulmonary bypass as well as temperature management.

Between January 2000 and August 2006, 120 consecutive patients underwent repair of acute type A dissection. Selective antegrade cerebral perfusion through the right subclavian artery combined with mild systemic hypothermia (30 degrees C) was used in all patients.

Mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 144 +/- 53 minutes, and mean myocardial ischemic time was 98 +/- 49 minutes. Isolated cerebral perfusion was performed for 25 +/- 12 minutes. Mean core temperature amounted to 30.1 degrees +/- 2.2 degrees C. Chest tube drainage during the first 24 hours was 525 +/- 220 mL. Mean ventilation time was 54 +/- 22 hours. Elevation of serum lactate levels at 1, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively rose to 22 +/- 14, 18 +/- 11, and 19 +/- 8 mg/dL respectively. We observed new postoperative permanent neurologic deficits in 5 patients (4.2%) and TND in 3 patients (2.5%). The 30-day mortality rate was 5% (n = 6). After a mean follow-up period of 2.8 years, 104 patients (87%) were still alive.

Antegrade cerebral perfusion in combination with mild hypothermia offered sufficient neurologic protection in our patient cohort, provided adequate distal organ protection, and reduced perioperative complications in surgery for type A dissection. This perfusion strategy may help in reducing perioperative complications in this particular patient population.