ObjectiveTo compare the cerebral protective effect of unilateral and bilateral antegrade selective cerebral perfusion during total aortic arch replacement, particularly with respect to neuropsychological outcome.MethodsFrom June 2003 to March 2004, 16 patients who underwent total aortic arch replacement were randomly allocated to one of two methods of brain protection: unilateral antegrade selective cerebral perfusion (unilateral group, n =8) or bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion (bilateral group, n =8). Preoperative and postoperative neurological examination, brain computed tomography(CT) scan, and cognitive function tests were performed.ResultsAll patients survived the operations and were discharged from hospital. No new brain infarction occurred. Transient neurologic dysfunction occurred in 1 patient of each group. There were no intergroup differences in the scores of preoperative and post operative cognitive function ( P gt;0.05).ConclusionBoth methods of brain protection for patients undergoing total aortic arch replacement result in favorable and similar effect of brain protection in term of cognitive function provided the circle of Willis is patent and collateral flow is adequate.
Objective To investigate the surgical approach and efficacy of reconstruction of the isolated left vertebral artery (ILVA) in single upper hemisternotomy for total aortic arch replacement. Methods From March 2017 to October 2023, patients who underwent total aortic arch replacement under single upper hemisternotomy in General Hospital of Northern Theater Command were selected. According to the presence of ILVA, they were divided into a conventional group and an ILVA group. All the ILVA group underwent intraoperative ILVA reconstruction. The perioperative clinical data between two groups were compared. Results A total of 504 patients were collected, including 471 males and 31 females, with an average age of 50.4±11.4 years. There was no increase in the duration of cardiopulmonary bypass or postoperative hospitalization in the ILVA group (n=31) compared to the conventional group (n=473), and the rates of perioperative complications and in-hospital mortality were not significantly different between the two groups. There were 2 (6.45%) patients of acute cerebral infarction and 2 (6.45%) patients of perioperative death in the ILVA group, with no spinal cord injuries. Conclusion ILVA reconstruction during total aortic arch replacement in single upper hemisternotomy is feasible, safe, and effective, and prioritizing off pump ILVA-left common carotid artery transposition.