[Brain protection in the surgical reconstruction of the supra-aortic arteries]

The importance of brain protection in surgical handling of supra-aortic arteries may be derived from the specific nature of cerebral blood flow and from the pathophysiology of damaged cerebral vessels. There is a wide range of special protective methods which have proved to be effective, including strict observance of established rules on surgical indication and tactics, maintenance of circulatory homoeostasis, heparinisation, and use of an intra-luminal shunt. Results obtained from operations on 486 patients for occlusion of supra-aortic arteries are discussed, with particular emphasis being laid on the need for intra-operative EEG monitoring. Reference is also made to measures of brain protection in the postoperative phase.