[Aneurysm of the aortic arch. Surgical therapy. 60 cases]

Sixty patients with aortic arch aneurysm have been operated upon at the Foch Medico-Surgical Centre between 1964 and 1984. This period can be subdivided into: January, 1964 to December, 1975 (24 cases) and January, 1976 to April, 1984 (36 cases). The technique used (closure by patch or segmental replacement prosthesis) depended on the type of lesion encountered. In most cases, the cardiopulmonary bypass was between the femoral artery and the right atrium. After experimenting with different methods, we now protect the brain by selective cold blood carotid perfusion, using independent circuit and heat-exchanger. Operative mortality was 12% in series I (1964-1975) and 0% in series II (1975-1984) patients. Hospital mortality was 25% in series I and 13% in series II patients. The improvements obtained during the last few years, using cold blood carotid perfusion and circulatory arrest in the lower half of the body, have made it possible to perform open distal anastomoses. This method ensures excellent brain protection and short cardiopulmonary bypass period.