Frozen Elephant Trunk Without Circulatory Arrest in Acute Aortic Dissection

Abstract

Aortic arch repair with frozen elephant trunk is increasingly offered to patients with extensive thoracic aortic disease. Given the magnitude of such a procedure, reported postoperative mortality and morbidity have to be considered adequate but not negligible. To further improve postoperative outcomes we developed a hybrid approach allowing frozen elephant trunk to be performed without hypothermia and circulatory arrest. After an initial experience in patients with chronic aneurysms, we successfully adopted the same approach in a patient with type 1 acute aortic dissection. Transfemoral stent-graft deployment, balloon clamping, and an always antegrade aortic perfusion are key elements of the approach presented here.