Techniques of aortic arch replacement: profound hypothermia versus moderate hypothermia with innominate artery...

Aortic arch resection remains a challenging problem. At present, the most reliable technique appears to be profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest, although long cardiopulmonary bypass times and coagulopathy remain significant problems. Interest in alternative procedures continues. Herein, we report our experience of aortic arch replacement in eight patients using profound hypothermia (12 to 17 degrees C) and circulatory arrest in six patients (Group I) and moderate (20 degrees C) hypothermia with low flow (200 ml/min), pressure-monitored (100 mm Hg) innominate artery perfusion by way of a 14 Ga. cannula in 2 (Group II). Arch repair was by patch graft in two, and tube graft in six. Concomitant ascending aortic replacement was performed in five, aortic valve replacement in four, and coronary bypass in two. Circulatory arrest times ranged from 15 to 71 minutes in Group I and were 15 minutes and 35 minutes in Group II. All patients survived. One patient in Group I had a neurologic injury of moderate severity, probably due to a hypoxic postoperative cardiac arrest. We have found low flow pressure-monitored innominate artery perfusion and moderate hypothermia to be simple and expedient, and we will continue use of this technique.