Aortic arch surgery with a single centrifugal pump for selective cerebral perfusion and systemic circulation

In aortic arch surgery, two pumps are required for systemic perfusion and selective cerebral perfusion (SCP). A new technique with a single centrifugal pump for systemic perfusion and SCP was developed and its efficacy and safety evaluated. This technique was adopted for total arch replacement in 22 consecutive patients with true aneurysms (13) and aortic dissection (nine) from January 2005 to January 2008. Cerebral perfusion lines branched from the main perfusion line. During SCP, right radial arterial pressure was maintained at 50 mm Hg and left common carotid arterial pressure at 60 mm Hg, and the regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO(2)) values were maintained at approximately >80% of the baseline value. Two operative deaths (9%) occurred due to pneumonia and hemorrhage in the left lung, respectively. Stroke occurred in one patient (5%). This simple circuit system can thus be easily and safely applied for aortic arch surgery.