Recent advancements of total aortic arch replacement

Abstract

Recent advancements in total aortic arch replacement achieved by our approach were presented. From January 2002 to December 2010, 321 consecutive patients (mean age 69.8 ± 13.3 years) underwent total arch replacement through a median sternotomy at our institute. Aortic dissection was present in 94 (28.3%) patients and shaggy aorta in 36 (11.2%), with emergency/urgent surgery required in 106 (33.0%). Our current approach included the following: (1) meticulous selection of arterial cannulation site and type of arterial cannula; (2) antegrade selective cerebral perfusion; (3) maintenance of minimal tympanic temperature between 20 °C and 23 °C; (4) early rewarming just after distal anastomosis; (5) after 2004, bolus injection of 100 mg of sivelestat sodium hydrate into the pump circuit at the initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass; (6) after 2006, maintaining fluid balance below 1000 mL during cardiopulmonary bypass. Overall hospital mortality was 4.4% (14/321) and was 1.9% (4/215) in elective cases. Permanent neurologic deficit occurred in 4.4% (14/321) of patients and in 2.8% (6/215) of elective cases. Prolonged ventilation was necessary in 53 (16.5%), with a significant reduction after 2006 (22.8% vs 12.6%; P = .02). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that risk factors for hospital mortality were octogenarian (odds ratio, 4.32; P = .03), brain malperfusion (odds ratio, 21.2; P = .001) and cardiopulmonary bypass time (odds ratio, 1.01; P = .04). Survival at 3 and 5 years after surgery was 82.4% ± 2.5% and 78.5% ± 3.1%, respectively. Our current approach for total aortic arch replacement was associated with low hospital mortality and morbidities and with favorable long-term outcome.