Crawford type II thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair using deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and continuous proximal aortic perfusion

We successfully operated a patient with Crawford type II dissecting thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm using deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and continuous proximal aortic perfusion. A 70-year-old male who had a history of chronic Stanford type B aortic dissection treated by Y-graft replacement of the abdominal aorta 2 years ago underwent dissecting thoracoabdominal aotic aneurysm repair due to expansion of the aneurysm. A preoperative examination revealed 90% stenosis in his coronary system. We used deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (bladder temperature: 22 degrees C) and continuous proximal aortic perfusion as adjuncts to prevent organ malperfusion (including the coronary arteries) or embolism because sequential aortic clamping seemed impossible and the true lumen became narrowed. To minimize the duration of the extracorporeal circulation (ECC), visceral branches were reattached using a selective shunt after conclusion of ECC. The duration of aortic cross-clamping, ECC, and operation was 170, 302, and 1,020 minutes, respectively. The patient required mechanical ventilation for 12 days but survived the operation and was discharged after 42 days hospitalization without any neurologic sequela. A perioperative intensive treatment must be required to prevent morbidities related to extensive thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair.     

Visceral and limb perfusion during thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Patients undergoing thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair are at high risk of operative morbidity and death. Aortic clamping and unclamping stresses the myocardium, interrupts visceral and limb perfusion, and leads to metabolic acidosis. Use of a simple technique to preserve distal perfusion during the period of aortic clamping may reduce perioperative morbidity. We describe a technique of visceral and limb perfusion that may reduce surgical risk in high-risk patients.     

Selective intercostal arterial perfusion during thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm surgery

BACKGROUND: This clinical study evaluated changes in motor evoked potentials (MEP) elicited by direct cerebral cortical stimulation and evoked spinal cord potentials (ESCPs) elicited by direct spinal cord stimulation during selective intercostal arterial perfusion for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair. We also determined the efficacy of this perfusion method for prevention of paraplegia. METHODS: Two kinds of ESCPs and MEPs were monitored during the prosthetic replacement step for TAAA surgeries. We performed selective intercostal arterial perfusion from the T7 intercostal artery to the L1 intercostal artery through a small piece of Dacron graft while monitoring spinal cord potentials in five cases of TAAA. RESULTS: The MEP amplitude decreased after clamping the aorta but quickly recovered after selective perfusion of intercostal arteries. Other spinal cord potentials did not change during the reconstruction of intercostal arteries. Postoperative paraplegia or parapalesis did not occur in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring of MEPs during selective intercostal arterial perfusion was a useful adjunct to prevent postoperative paraplegia in TAAA surgery.     

Selective visceral and renal perfusion in thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: Whether or not selective visceral and renal perfusion during thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair has a protective effect on visceral and renal function remains unknown. The aim of this study was to clarify if selective perfusion has such an effect. METHODS: From May 1982 to December 1997, 82 consecutive patients underwent TAAA repair. Patients receiving hypothermic circulatory arrest or cooling of the kidney using Ringer's lactate solution were excluded, thus 73 patients were enrolled into this study. They were divided into three groups: those in whom selective visceral and renal perfusion was performed using a roller pump (n = 41), those in whom it was performed using a centrifugal pump with a reduced heparin regimen (n = 22) and those who underwent simple aortic clamping alone (n = 10). RESULTS: Serum creatinine, total bilirubin and alanine aminotransferase levels were elevated postoperatively in patients undergoing simple cross-clamp repair, but remained almost within normal limits in patients undergoing TAAA repair with selective visceral and renal perfusion. Urine output was more in selective perfused patients than in non-perfused patients. Renal dysfunction, defined by requirement of hemodialysis or by a serum level of creatinine above 3 mg/dl, occurred in four patients (10%) of the roller pump group and in two patients (9%) of the centrifugal pump group, while in four patients (40%) of the simple cross-clamping group. CONCLUSION: Our experience suggests that selective visceral and renal perfusion has a protective effect on hepato-renal function during TAAA repair.     

Selective visceral perfusion during thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of selective visceral perfusion during repair of an thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA), we compared the postoperative renal and hepatic functions (blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, total bilirubin, glutamate pyruvate transaminase) between the two groups with and without perfusion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We operated on 52 patients with TAAA. Among them, the visceral vessels were reconstructed in 22 patients with selective visceral perfusion and in 12 patients without perfusion. The average selective perfusion time was 49.5+/-25.5 min. in the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries and 32.8+/-18.8 min. in the renal arteries. The average perfusion flow rate per each visceral vessel was 155.4+/-97.4 ml/min. RESULTS: There were five hospital deaths. There was no significant difference between the groups in the postoperative value of four factors. The selective perfusion time for vessel reconstruction in the selective visceral perfusion group was significantly longer than the arterial clamp time for vessel reconstruction in the non-perfusion group (49.5+/-25.5 min. vs. 25.6+/-13.4 min.). CONCLUSION: Our selective visceral perfusion method is not only beneficial for organ protection, but also provides us with the necessary time to reimplant the visceral as well as intercostal or lumbar arteries.     

Thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair using cardiopulmonary bypass,profound hypothermia,and circulatory arrest via left side of the chest incision

Purpose: Although some authors advocate hypothermic circulatory arrest for spinal cord protection in descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal repair, this method has been associated with high morbidity and mortality rates in other studies. The safety and effectiveness of this surgical adjunct were evaluated. Methods: Between February 1991 and April 1997, 409 patients underwent thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic repair. Because of an inability to gain proximal aortic control because of anatomic or technical difficulty, hypothermic circulatory arrest was used in 21 patients (4.9%). Thirteen patients were men, 8 were women, and the median age was 57 (range, 21 to 81 years). Four patients (19%) had Marfan's syndrome, and 1 had aortitis. Seven patients (33%) had aortic dissection (4 chronic type A, 2 chronic type B, 1 acute B), and 1 had aortic laceration. All but 6 patients had hypertension. Fifteen patients (73%) were operated on for repair of the distal arch and descending thoracic aorta, 4 (19%) for repair of the distal arch and thoracoabdominal aorta, and 2 for repair of either the thoracoabdominal or descending thoracic aorta alone. Surgery for 9 patients (43%) also included bypass grafts to the subclavian or innominate arteries. Six operations (29%) were urgent. Results: The overall 30-day mortality rate was 29% (6 of 21 patients). Among urgent patients, the mortality rate was 50% (3 of 6 patients) versus 20% (3 of 15) for elective patients. Of the remaining 15 patients, renal failure occurred in 1 (7%) and heart failure in 2 (13%). Ten patients (67%) had pulmonary complications. Encephalopathy occurred in 5 patients (33%) and stroke in 2 (13%), and spinal cord neurologic deficit developed in 2 (13%). The median recovery was 28 days (range, 10 to 157 days). Conclusion: Hypothermic circulatory arrest did not reduce the incidence of deaths and morbidity to a rate comparable with our conventional methods. We recommend the judicious application of this method in rare instances when proximal control is not feasible or catastrophic intraoperative bleeding leave the surgeon with no other option. (J Vasc Surg 1998;28:591-8.)     

Epidural cooling for regional spinal cord hypothermia during thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair

Purpose: We investigated the feasibility of achieving regional hypothermia of the spinal cord with an infusion of iced (4° C) saline solution administered into an epidural catheter while monitoring cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) temperature in eight patients undergoing thoracic or thoracoabdominal aneurysm resection.Methods: As part of the anesthetic management, an epidural catheter was placed at T11-12, and a subarachnoid thermistor catheter was placed at L3-4. Approximately 30 minutes before aortic cross-clamping, iced (4° C) saline solution was infused into the epidural catheter until CSF temperature decreased to approximately 25° C. The infusion was then adjusted to maintain this temperature until the aorta was unclamped. The subarachnoid catheter was also used to measure CSF pressure and provide for CSF drainage. Surgery was performed in all patients with a clamp-and-sew technique with selective intercostal vessel reattachment.Results: Infusion of a mean volume of 489 ml (range 80 to 1700 ml) of iced saline solution into the epidural space before aortic cross-clamping led to a decrease in mean CSF temperature to 26.9° C (range 25° to 28.8° C) in 15 to 90 minutes. During cross-clamping and aortic replacement the mean CSF temperature was maintained between 25.2° to 27.6° C and, with discontinuation of the infusion, returned to within 1° C of body core temperature by the end of the procedure. Body core temperature was not significantly affected by the epidural infusion. Mean CSF pressure increased during the epidural infusion but could be reduced by removing saline solution from the epidural space. No postoperative neurologic deficits were observed.Conclusion: Epidural cooling appears to be a satisfactory method of achieving regional spinal cord hypothermia in patients requiring resection of thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. (J VASC SURG 1994;20:304-10.)     

Individual temperature management during thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair using separate perfusion of upper and lower torso

We report thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair using separate perfusion of upper and lower torso that can control temperature of each organ individually. This novel modality can maintain mild hypothermic organ perfusion in upper torso and protect the heart under empty beating, while lower torso is further cooled to protect the spinal cord and visceral organs. Therefore this technique may be useful for patients with heart disease who require complex reconstruction of the intercostal arteries or visceral branches. We used this technique successfully in a patient who has a history of surgical repair of the aortic arch and the abdominal aorta. A 70-year-old male who had a history of abdominal aortic aneurysm repair and aortic arch aneurysm repair using stented elephant trunk underwent Crawford's type II thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Three pairs of the intercostal arteries and 4 visceral branches were reconstructed using this technique successfully.     

Outcome of thoracoabdominal aortic operations using deep hypothermia and distal exsanguination

BACKGROUND: Operation of the descending and thoracoabdominal aorta may be affected by a significant perioperative morbidity, mainly because of ischemic damage of the spinal cord and malperfusion of the abdominal organs. METHODS: A comparative analysis was performed on two consecutive series of patients operated between 1982 and 1998. Group 1 consisted of 90 patients operated with moderate hypothermic left heart bypass. Group 2 included 38 patients operated using deep hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass and a period of circulatory arrest while performing the proximal anastomosis and distal exsanguination during confection of the distal anastomosis. RESULTS: Main demographic factors and causes of the aortic disease were similar in both groups. Early mortality was significantly higher in the group of patients with aortic cross-clamping (15 of 90, 16%) than in those operated with circulatory arrest (2 of 38, 5.2%), p < 0.001. Paraplegia occurred in 8 patients in the group operated with mild hypothermia (8.8%) but in only 1 patient (2.6%) when deep hypothermia had been used. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, deep hypothermia combined with distal exsanguination significantly improved the early postoperative outcome after operation of the descending and thoracoabdominal aorta. This technique allowed easy confection of proximal and distal anastomoses, and the duration of the operation was not prolonged significantly through this approach.     

Regional hypothermia with epidural cooling for spinal cord protection during thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair

Several techniques have been developed and clinically applied to reduce the spinal cord ischemia complications that follow thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAA) repair. Hypothermia as a protective adjunct is a concept that has been used throughout the evolution of cardiac and central aortic surgery. Because experimental regional hypothermic perfusion delivered directly to the epidural or intrathecal space showed protective effects against cord injury, we developed and applied a method for providing regional cord hypothermia with epidural cooling during TAA repair. This review describes the technical considerations with epidural cooling and the clinical results obtained in our experience.     

Right axillary arterial perfusion for descending thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair with open proximal anastomosis through left thoracotomy

Background

We examined the effectiveness of right axillary arterial perfusion through an interposed Dacron graft in the prevention of cerebral embolism or complications related to ascending aortic cannulation in open proximal anastomosis technique of descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest through left thoracotomy.

Methods

Between May 2000 and August 2012, 44 patients underwent TAA or TAAA repair using open proximal technique under DHCA. These patients were divided into two groups for evaluation of the effectiveness of right axillary arterial perfusion. Group A included patients who underwent TAA or TAAA repair with ascending aortic cannulation (n = 15). Group B was composed of patients who had TAA or TAAA repair with right axillary arterial perfusion through the interposed Dacron graft (n = 29).

Results

Mortality in this series was 4.5 % (2 of 44 patients; 1 in each group); wherein, the causes were sepsis due to graft infection and aortic dissection (Stanford type A). The incidence rates of cerebral embolism were 27 % (4 of 15 patients in group A) and 3.4 % (1 of 29 patients in group B) (p = 0.0392, Fisher’s exact test). The rates of complications in relation to the aortic cannulation site (dissection or bleeding) were 13 % (2 of 15 patients in group A) and 0 % (0 of 25 patients in group B).

Conclusions

Right axillary perfusion facilitates easy evacuation of air and allows prompt recommencement of upper body circulation. Consequently, it minimizes the risk of cerebral embolism or complications in relation to aortic cannulation through left thoracotomy.     

Aortic arch and proximal supraaortic arterial repair under continuous antegrade cerebral perfusion and moderate hypothermia.

PURPOSE: In this prospective study the clinical and neurological outcome of continuous antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) and moderate hypothermia was evaluated in patients undergoing ascending and aortic arch repair including reconstruction of the proximal supraaortic arteries. METHODS: In 50 consecutive patients (mean age 47 yr, range 22-70) aortic arch and supraaortic arterial repair was performed: ascending aorta and aortic arch (n=34) and aortic arch and Bentall procedure (n = 16). In 12 patients the distal anastomosis was performed using the elephant trunk technique. Test-clamping of the innominate artery for 3 min was performed under EEG-monitoring followed by the same procedure for the left carotid artery. Cardiopulmonary bypass was instituted and the innominate artery replaced by a polyester graft before antegrade perfusion was carried out through the graft. While cooling to 28-30 degrees C, the left carotid artery was similarly treated with subsequent antegrade cerebral perfusion. The distal anastomosis was made at or beyond the left subclavian artery under circulatory arrest. During rewarming the innominate and carotid polyester grafts as well as the subclavian artery were anastomosed to the main graft, while antegrade cerebral perfusion was continued. RESULTS: In 46 patients antegrade cerebral perfusion was achieved with a mean volume flow of 12 ml/kg/min and a mean arterial pressure of 54 mmHg. EEG-monitoring delineated stable and symmetrical recordings. In four patients antegrade flow (mean 15 ml/kg/min) and pressure (mean 65 mmHg) had to be increased to establish baseline EEG-recordings. The mean time of circulatory arrest was 18 min.The overall hospital mortality was 6%: two patients died from cerebral infarction and one patient suffered from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Three patients (6%) developed a temporary neurological deficit which resolved spontaneously. Two patients (4%) developed renal failure requiring temporary hemodialysis. Pulmonary complications occurred in 12 patients (25%). CONCLUSION: Continuous antegrade cerebral perfusion via selective grafts to the innominate and carotid arteries offers adequate protection in patients undergoing replacement of the ascending aorta or aortic arch and great vessels. This technique allows radical repair and optimal vascular reconstruction without time restrains and avoids the necessity for profound hypothermia