Outcomes after thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair with hypothermic circulatory arrest

Recent advances in endovascular surgery have put into question the role of open operative treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. In this context we evaluated our experience with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair using cardiopulmonary bypass and hypothermic circulatory arrest.

From January 1986 to December 2008, 218 patients (mean age, 63 ± 14 years) underwent thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair with cardiopulmonary bypass and hypothermic circulatory arrest. The degree of repair was as follows: Crawford extent I, 57 (26%) patients; Crawford extent II, 91 (41%) patients; and Crawford extent III, 70 (32%) patients. Degenerative aneurysms were present in 160 (73%) patients. Eighteen (8%) patients underwent emergency operations.

The mean durations of cardiopulmonary bypass and hypothermic circulatory arrest were 160 ± 44 and 31 ± 12 minutes, respectively. Stroke occurred in 8 (3.7%) patients, and spinal cord ischemic injury occurred in 10 (4.6%) patients (8 with paraplegia and 2 with paraparesis). Temporary dialysis for new-onset renal failure was required in 3.6% of hospital survivors. Thirty-day and 1-year mortality rates were 7.3% and 24.5%, respectively. After emergency operations, the 30-day mortality rate was 33.3% compared with 5.0% after elective operations (P = .001). Five- and 10-year survivals were 55% and 23%, respectively. Twenty-five patients required reoperation on the graft or contiguous aorta at a mean of 5 ± 3 years after the initial procedure. Five- and 10-year rates of freedom from reoperation were 87% and 60%, respectively.

Cardiopulmonary bypass with hypothermic circulatory arrest can be safely used for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair, providing excellent protection against end-organ injury. Early mortality and morbidity rates do not exceed those reported for endovascular repair, with particularly favorable outcomes among patients undergoing elective operations.