Early outcome and mid-term survival after open arch repair using selective antegrade cerebral perfusion

The introduction of selective antegrade cerebral perfusion technique as method of cerebral protection improved the outcome of open arch surgery. The aim of this study was to report early outcomes using this technique.

Between 1997 and 2017, data were collected retrospectively for all patients who underwent surgical replacement of the aortic arch using selective antegrade cerebral perfusion (n = 938). To confirm the effectiveness of this cerebral protection method, early outcome and results were evaluated.

The incidence of postoperative permanent neurological dysfunction was 6.4%. Overall hospital mortality was 11.9% (n = 112). On multivariable analysis, age >75 years, female gender, euroscore at increment of 1 point, chronic renal failure, extension of thoracic aorta replacement and CPB time emerged as independent risk factors for hospital mortality. The mid-term survival at 1, 5, 10 and 15 years was 92%, 78%, 60% and 49%, respectively. The competing risk analysis for permanent neurological dysfunction and aortic reoperations was performed excluding the patients who died during the hospital stay. The cumulative incidence of permanent neurological dysfunction and aortic reoperations was 2% at 3 years, 3% at 5 years, 6% at 10 years, 12% at 3 years, 15% at 5 years and 19% at 10 years, respectively.

From the early 90s to the present day, the selective antegrade cerebral perfusion has confirmed to be a useful and "safe" method of brain protection in aortic arch surgery in terms of postoperative neurological complications.