Abstract
The use of moderate hypothermia to 30°C is an established technique in the surgical repair of intracranial aneurysms and angiomata. At this temperature level circulatory occlusion can be undertaken to provide a partial or completely bloodless field. In a series of twenty cases aortic occlusion, after median sternotomy, has been performed at oesophageal temperatures of 30·5–31·5°C. Circulatory arrest was maintained for periods of up to 8 minutes, more than one period of arrest sometimes being required. There were five deaths, none of which was attributable to the hypothermia technique, and the necessity for median sternotomy has not resulted in increased postoperative mortality.
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