Preferential cerebral hypothermia with elective cardiac arrest: resection of "giant" aneurysm

The technique of preferential cerebral hypothermia is reported in its application to a patient with a "giant" anterior communicating artery aneurysm. The method utilizes elective ventricular fibrillation and differential or "preferential" hypothermia induced by a combination of external skin cooling and perfusion of core organs with 0 degree buffered electrolyte solution. The value of the technique lies in its provision of a period of safe circulatory arrest approaching one hour without the need for anticoagulation, heart-lung bypass, open chest resuscitation or major vessel clamping. Because of the absence of blood flow and because of the clear fluid washout of the cerebral vessels, it was possible to open the aneurysm, evacuate its contents and resect it in several sections. It was not necessary to clip the feeding arteries until all dissection and total removal of the aneurysm were completed. The application of the technique to neurosurgery and cardiovascular surgery is discussed.