Selective antegrade cerebral perfusion during aortic arch surgery confers survival and neuroprotective advantages

Mohammad Shihata1, Rohan Mittal, A Senthilselvan

  • 1Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. mshihata@gmail.com

Insights

Antegrade cerebral perfusion during aortic arch surgery significantly improves patient survival and reduces stroke risk. This technique is particularly beneficial for complex aortic arch repairs, enhancing neurologic outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Surgery
  • Neurology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Aortic arch surgery carries risks of stroke and mortality.
  • Optimizing perfusion strategies is crucial for patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effect of antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) on survival and neurologic outcomes in aortic arch surgery.
  • To compare outcomes between patients who received ACP and those who did not.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective comparison of 46 patients with ACP and 78 patients without ACP during aortic arch surgery.
  • Statistical analysis using logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models.
  • Assessment of postoperative cerebrovascular complications, mechanical ventilation duration, and 3-year survival.

Main Results:

  • ACP group showed significantly lower rates of postoperative cerebrovascular complications (2% vs. 13%, P=.03).
  • Patients receiving ACP had shorter mechanical ventilation durations (1.15 vs. 2.13 days, P=.02).
  • Three-year survival was significantly higher in the ACP group (93% vs. 78%, P=.03).

Conclusions:

  • Antegrade cerebral perfusion is associated with improved survival and neurologic outcomes in aortic arch surgery.
  • ACP is a significant predictor of reduced stroke rates and enhanced midterm survival.
  • The benefits of ACP are particularly notable in prolonged aortic arch repair procedures.
Abstract