Systematic Innominate Artery Cannulation Strategy in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection: Better Perfusion, Better Results

(1) Background: Arterial cannulation in type A acute aortic dissection (TAAAD) is still subject to debate. We describe a systematic approach of using the innominate artery for arterial perfusion (2) Methods: The hospital records of 110 consecutive patients with acute TAAAD operated on between January 2014 and December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The effect of the cannulation site on early and late mortality, as well as on cardio-pulmonary perfusion indices (lactate and base excess levels, and cooling and rewarming speed) were investigated. (3) Results: There was a significant difference in early mortality (8.82% vs. 40.79%, p < 0.01) but no difference in long-term survival beyond the first 30 days. Using the innominate artery enabled the use of approximately 20% higher CPB flows (2.73 ± 0.1 vs. 2.42 ± 0.06 L/min/m² BSA, p < 0.01), which resulted in more rapid cooling (1.89 ± 0.77 vs. 3.13 ± 1.62 min/°C/m² BSA, p < 0.01), rewarming (2.84 ± 1.36 vs. 4.22 ± 2.23, p < 0.01), lower mean base excess levels during CPB (-5.01 ± 2.99 mEq/L vs. -6.66 ± 3.37 mEq/L, p = 0.01) and lower lactate levels at the end of the procedure (4.02 ± 2.48 mmol/L vs. 6.63 ± 4.17 mmol/L, p < 0.01). Postoperative permanent neurologic insult (3.12% vs. 20%, p = 0.02) and acute kidney injury (3.12% vs. 32.81%, p < 0.01) were significantly reduced. (4) Conclusions: systematic use of the innominate artery enables better perfusion and superior results in TAAAD repair.