ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To compare the impact of straight and bent-tip aortic cannulae on stroke occurrence, location, and severity. METHODS: Prospective data were collected on 8,129 patients (coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and/or valvular surgery). 'Bent-tip' aortic cannulae were used in 15.6% of cases and 'straight' end-hole cannulae in 84.4% of cases. RESULTS: There were a total of 137 strokes: right anterior 52, left anterior 39, bilateral 23, posterior 18, and location not established 5. With the use of bent-tip cannulae, the incidence of strokes was 0.9% versus 1.8% with straight cannulae (chi2, p = 0.026). Bilateral and posterior strokes occurred more often with the use of straight cannulae (chi2, p = 0.015). Straight cannulae also related to the severity of strokes (chi2, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: There is an influence of the type of cannula on the occurrence, location, and severity of strokes. Straight cannulae cause significantly more often and more severe bilateral and posterior strokes than bent-tip cannulae.
