Transapical aortic cannulation in the operation of acute type A aortic dissection

From June 2003 to November 2006, transapical aortic cannulation was performed in 73 patients (41 men and 32 women, mean age 63 years, 64 hemiarch repair and 9 total arch replacement) with acute type A aortic dissection. A 1-cm incision was made in the apex of the left ventricle, and a 7-mm soft and flexible cannula was passed through the apex and across the aortic valve until positioned in the ascending aorta under guidance by transesophageal echocardiography. In all cases, cardiopulmonary bypass flow was sufficient. There were no malperfusion events. Our results showed that transapical aortic cannulation was secure and useful for repair of acute type A aortic dissection.