Cannula Placement for Cerebral Protection Without Circulatory Arrest in Patients Undergoing Hemiarch Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

BACKGROUND: Aortic aneurysms involving the proximal aortic arch, which require hemiarch-type repair, typically require circulatory arrest with antegrade cerebral perfusion. Left carotid antegrade cerebral perfusion (LCP) via distal arch cannulation without circulatory arrest was used in this study's patient population. The goal was to assess the operative efficiency and clinical outcomes of using a distal arch cannulation technique that would not require any hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) time compared with more traditional brachiocephalic artery cannulation with right-sided unilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion (RCP) and HCA. METHODS: A single-center retrospective review of patients with replacement of the distal ascending aorta involving the proximal arch was performed. Patients with an intramural hematoma or dissection were excluded. Between January 2015 and December 2019, 68 adult patients had undergone a hemiarch repair because of aneurysmal disease. Analysis of baseline demographics, operative data, and clinical outcomes was performed. RESULTS: Comparing the 68 patients: 21 patients were treated with RCP (via brachiocephalic artery graft with HCA), and 47 patients were treated with LCP (via distal aortic arch cannulation with cross-clamp between the brachiocephalic and left common carotid arteries without HCA). Baseline characteristics and outcomes were evaluated for both groups. The LCP group was younger (LCP median [IQR] age, 60 [53-65] years vs RCP median [IQR] age, 67 [59-71] years]. Sex, race, body mass index, comorbidities, and ejection fraction were similar between the groups. Cardiopulmonary bypass time (LCP, 123 minutes vs RCP, 149 minutes) and unilateral cerebral perfusion time (LCP, 17 minutes vs RCP, 22 minutes) were longer in the RCP group. Bleeding, prolonged ventilatory support, kidney failure, and length of stay were similar. In-hospital mortality was 2% in the LCP group vs 0% in the RCP group. Stroke occurred in 2 patients (4.2%) in the LCP group and in 0% of the RCP group. Mortality at 6 months in the LCP and RCP groups was 3% and 10%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Distal arch cannulation with LCP without HCA is a reasonable and safe alternative strategy for patients requiring hemiarch replacement for aneurysmal disease. This technique may provide additional benefits by avoiding circulatory arrest in these complex cases.

Robotic Level IV Inferior Vena Cava Thrombectomy Using an Intrapericardial Control Technique: Is It Safe Without Cardiopulmonary Bypass?

PURPOSE: We introduce an intrapericardial control technique using a robotic approach in the surgical treatment of renal tumor with level IV inferior vena cava thrombus to decrease the severe complications associated with cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight patients with level IV inferior vena cava thrombi not extending into the atrium underwent transabdominal-transdiaphragmatic robot-assisted inferior vena cava thrombectomy obviating cardiopulmonary bypass/deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (cardiopulmonary bypass-free group) by an expert team comprising urological, hepatobiliary, and cardiovascular surgeons. The central diaphragm tendon and pericardium were transabdominally dissected until the intrapericardial inferior vena cava were exposed and looped proximal to the cranial end of the thrombi under intraoperative ultrasound guidance. As controls, 14 patients who underwent robot-assisted inferior vena cava thrombectomy with cardiopulmonary bypass (cardiopulmonary bypass group) and 25 patients who underwent open thrombectomy with cardiopulmonary bypass/deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (cardiopulmonary bypass/deep hypothermic circulatory arrest group) were included. Clinicopathological, operative, and survival outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Eight robot-assisted inferior vena cava thrombectomies were successfully performed without cardiopulmonary bypass, with 1 open conversion. The median operation time and first porta hepatis occlusion time were shorter, and estimated blood loss was lower in the cardiopulmonary bypass-free group as compared to the cardiopulmonary bypass group (540 vs 586.5 minutes, 16.5 vs 38.5. minutes, and 2,050 vs 3,500 mL, respectively). Severe complications (level IV-V) were also lower in the cardiopulmonary bypass-free group than in cardiopulmonary bypass and cardiopulmonary bypass/deep hypothermic circulatory arrest groups (25% vs 50% vs 40%). Oncologic outcomes were comparable among the 3 groups in short-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Pure transabdominal-transdiaphragmatic robot-assisted inferior vena cava thrombectomy without cardiopulmonary bypass/deep hypothermic circulatory arrest represents as an alternative minimally invasive approach for selected level IV inferior vena cava thrombi.

Bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion may be the winner as an adjunct for brain protection.

Brain protection during open distal aortic arch replacement surgery is of utmost importance. Hypothermia in combination with cerebral perfusion offers optimal results by maintaining the brain's metabolic supply. Both retrograde cerebral perfusion and antegrade cerebral perfusion, used in combination with hypothermia, produce comparable results when the hypothermic circulatory arrest times are short; in contrast, for longer perfusion times, most aortic surgery centers are trending toward the use of antegrade rather than retrograde cerebral perfusion. Our own preference has been to use a bilateral mode of delivering antegrade cerebral perfusion instead of a unilateral approach, as bilateral perfusion appears to be more protective. We maintain that there is no harm in perfusing both brain hemispheres, so long as an appropriate balloon-tipped catheter is used carefully and manipulation of the head vessels is avoided.

The risk factors for postoperative cerebral complications in patients with Stanford type a aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative cerebral complications (PCC) are common and serious postoperative complications for patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection (AAD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for PCC in these patients and to provide a scientific basis for effective prevention of PCC. METHODS: In this retrospective case-control study, 125 patients with AAD who underwent thoracotomy in our department from October 2017 to October 2018 in the department of cardiovascular surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital were divided into two groups: patients with PCC (n = 12), and patients without PCC (n = 113). The general clinical data, the types of corrective surgeries, the intraoperative situations, the postoperative complications, and the midterm outcomes of the patients were analyzed. RESULTS: The patients with PCC were significantly older than the patients without PCC (P = 0.016), and the incidence of the preoperative cerebral disease history in the patients with PCC was significantly higher than those of the PCC (-) group (P = 0.024). The Euro SCORE II of patients with PCC was dramatically higher than the patients without PCC (P = 0.005). There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of the duration of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) (P = 0.010) and the length of moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest (MHCA) combined with selective cerebral perfusion (SCP) (P = 0.000). The monitoring of rcSO2 indicated that there was significant difference between the two groups in terms of the bilateral baseline (P = 0.000). Patients with PCC were observed to have experienced significantly longer intubation times (P = 0.000), ICU stays (P = 0.001), and postoperative hospital stays (P = 0.009), and they also had dramatically higher rates of pulmonary infection (P = 0.000), multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (P = 0.041) and tracheotomy (P = 0.022) after surgeries. The duration of MHCA+SCP (OR:9.009, P = 0.034) and the average baseline value of rcSO2 (OR:0.080, P = 0.009) were ultimately identified as significant risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: PCC has a serious influence on the prognoses of patients following surgical treatment with AAD. The duration of MHCA+SCP and the average baseline value of rcSO2 were the independent risk factors for PCC.

Varying Evidence on Deep Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest in Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Surgery.

Cardiovascular surgeons have long debated the safe duration of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest during thoracic aortic aneurysm surgery. The rationale for using adjunctive cerebral perfusion (or not) is to achieve the best technical aortic repair with the lowest risk of morbidity and death. In this literature review, we highlight the debates surrounding these issues, evaluate the disparate findings on deep hypothermic circulatory arrest durations and temperatures, and consider the usefulness of adjunctive perfusion.

The management of extracorporeal circulation in modified total arch replacement combined with stented elephant trunk / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective To study the clinical experience of extracorporeal circulation management in modified total arch replacement combined with stented elephant trunk.Methods Fifty-eight patients with Stanford A aortic dissection underwent modified total arch replacement combined with stented elephant trunk.With the modified surgical technique,the technology of extracorporeal circulation was also modified with bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion,the management of the temperature and blood protection.Results All patients were operated successfully.The operative time was 248-485 (396 ± 67) min,extracorporeal circulation time was 175-260 (181 ± 33) min,cross clamp time was 64-104 (85 ± 12) min,stop circulation time was 22-48 (32 ± 5) min,and selective cerebral perfusion time was 26-54 (39 ± 7) min.The ventilator assisted breathing time was 5.0-35.5 (23.0 ± 4.5) h,and ICU monitoring time was 24-140 (88 ± 12) h.Postoperative complications included transient neurologic deficit in 3 cases (5.2％,3/58),renal dysfunction in 5 case (8.6％,5/58),and pulmonary infection in 4 cases (6.9％,4/58).Conclusion To modified total arch replacement combined with stented elephant trunk,the modified management of extracorporeal circulation with bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion,the management of temperature and blood protection,has a low prevalence of morbidity and mortality.

Neuroprotection of selective antegrade cerebral perfusion on pig model exposed to deep hypothermia circulatory arrest / 实用医学杂志

Objective To explore the expression of TLR4/NF-κB pathway in cerebral injury resulting from DHCA ( deep hypothermia circulatory arrest ) as well as the effect of SACP ( selective antegrade cerebral perfusion). Methods Twelve pigs were randomly assigned to DHCA group (n = 6) or SACP group (n = 6) at 18 ℃ for 80 min. IL-6 was assayed by ELISA. Apoptosis and NF-κB proteins were detected by fluorescence TUNEL and Western blot, respectively. The level of TLR4 was determined through qRT-PCR and Western blot. Results Serum IL-6 level of SACP group was significantly lower at the end of circulation arrest and experiment and apoptotic index and NF-κB protein were apparently lower in SACP group (P < 0.05). The level of TLR4 protein and mRNA from SACP group decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Conclusions TLR4/NF-κB pathway plays a critical role in pathogenesis of DHCA cerebral injury and attenuating TLR4/NF-κB cytokines probably contributes to neuroprotection of SACP. TLR4/NF-κB pathway may be a novel target for DHCA.

S100 and S100β: biomarkers of cerebral damage in cardiac surgery with or without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass / S100 e S100β: biomarcadores de dano cerebral em cirurgia cardíaca com ou sem o uso de circulação extracorpórea

Objective: The present study is to describe the clinical impact of S100 and S100β for the evaluation of cerebral damage in cardiac surgery with or without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Methods: Quantitative results of S100 and S100β reported in the literature of the year range 1990-2014 were collected, screened and analyzed. Results: Cerebrospinal fluid and serum S100 levels showed a same trend reaching a peak at the end of CPB. The cerebrospinal fluid/serum S100 ratio decreased during CPB, reached a nadir at 6 h after CPB and then increased and kept high untill 24 h after CPB. Serum S100 at the end of CPB was much higher in infant than in adults, and in on-pump than in off-pump coronary artery bypass patients. ∆S100 increased with age and CPB time but lack of statistical significances. Patients receiving an aorta replacement had a much higher ∆S100 than those receiving a congenital heart defect repair. Serum S100β reached a peak at the end of CPB, whereas cerebrospinal fluid S100 continued to increase and reached a peak at 6 h after CPB. The cerebrospinal fluid/serum S100β ratio decreased during CPB, increased at the end of CPB, peaked 1 h after CPB, and then decreased abruptly. The increase of serum S100β at the end of CPB was associated with type of operation, younger age, lower core temperature and cerebral damages. ∆S100β displayed a decreasing trend with age, type of operation, shortening of CPB duration, increasing core temperature, lessening severity of cerebral damage and the application of intervenes. Linear correlation analysis revealed that serum S100β concentration at the end of CPB correlated closely with CPB duration. Conclusion: S100 and S100β in cerebrospinal fluid can be more accurate than in the serum for the evaluations of cerebral damage in cardiac surgery. However, cerebrospinal fluid biopsies are limited. But serum S100β and ∆S100β ...

Objetivo: O presente estudo descreve o impacto clínico de S100 e S100β para a avaliação do dano cerebral em cirurgia cardíaca com ou sem o uso de circulação extracorpórea (CEC). Métodos: Os resultados quantitativos de S100 e S100β relatados na literatura entre os anos 1990 e 2014 foram recolhidos, rastreados e analisados . Resultados: Os níveis do fluido cerebroespinal e níveis séricos S100 mostram uma mesma tendência, atingindo um pico no final da CEC. A relação de fluido cerebroespinal e soro S100 diminuiu durante a CEC, chegando a um nadir 6 h após a CEC, aumentando e mantendo alta até 24 h após a CEC. O soro S100 no final da CEC foi muito maior no infantil do que em adultos, e em pacientes de revascularização miocárdica com CEC do que em pacientes sem CEC. ∆S100 aumentou com a idade e tempo de CEC, mas sem significância estatística. Os pacientes que receberam substituição da aorta tinham um ∆S100 muito maior do que aqueles que fizeram reparo dos defeitos cardíacos congênitos. Soro S100β atingiu um pico no final da CEC, enquanto líquido cefalorraquidiano S100 continuou a aumentar e atingir um pico 6 h após a CEC. A proporção entre soro S100β e líquido cefalorraquidiano diminuiu durante a CEC, aumentando no final da CEC, com pico 1 h após a CEC, em seguida, diminuiu abruptamente. O aumento de soro S100β no final da CEC foi associado com o tipo de operação, menor idade, menor temperatura do coração e danos cerebrais. ∆S100β exibiu tendência decrescente com a idade, tipo de operação, encurtamento da duração da CEC, o aumento da temperatura do coração, diminuindo a gravidade do dano cerebral e da aplicação de intervenções. Análise de correlação linear revelou que a concentração sérica de S100β no final da CEC está intimamente relacionada com a duração do procedimento. Conclusão: Níveis de S100 e S100β no líquido cefalorraquidiano podem ser mais precisos do que no soro para as avaliações ...

Anticoagulation with bivalirudin during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest in a patient with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is a well-recognized complication of anticoagulation with heparin. We present the case of a patient with recent heparin-induced thrombocytopenia who subsequently needed surgery on an emergency basis for acute type A aortic dissection. This article reports the successful use of bivalirudin, a direct thrombin inhibitor, as an alternative to heparin throughout cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. We contend that bivalirudin is a safe alternative to heparin when performing surgery for aortic dissection and should be considered as an option for use in patients who present with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

Risk factors and treatments for neurological complications after deep hypothermic ciculatory arrest operation / 中国医师杂志

Objective To investigate the risk factors for neurological complications after deep hypothermic ciculatory arrest (DHCA) operation.Methods From January 2009 to October 2013, 70 patients who were diagnosed as aortic dissection or aortic an-eurysm underwent aortic operations under DHCA .According to the occurrence of neurological complications after surgery , patients were divided into neurological complication group (26 patients) and normal group (44 patients).Risk factors of neurological complications after surgery were evaluated by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis .Results Central neurological compli-cations occurred in 26 patients (37.14%) , including 18 patients with temporary neurological dysfunction and 7 patients with perma-nent neurological dysfunction , 1 patient with paraplegia , 1 patient died of cerebral infarction .Univariate analysis showed that hyperten-sion disease( P =0.001), emergency surgery within 72 hours( P =0.009),cardiopulmonary bypass time ( P =0.015),antegrade se-lective cerebral perfusion ( ASCP) ( P =0.005 ) , hemodilution degree ( P =0.001 ) , erythrocyte ( P =0.033 ) and plasma ( P =0.034 ) transfusion volume in the perioperative period , oxygen index <200 mmHg in 4 hours postoperatively ( P =0.043 ) , arterial blood pressure instability ( P =0.037 ) and hypernatremia in 24 hours postoperatively ( P =0.001 ) , and the Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score are the risk factors for central neurological complication .Hypertension disease( P =0.017 ) , emergency surgery within 72 hours ( P =0.048 ) , ASCP ( P =0.015 ) , hypernatremia in 24 hours postoperatively ( P =0.008 ) were independent determinats for central neurological complication .Conclusions A series of procedure including evaluating patients condition correctly before operation , controlling hypertension effectively in the perioperative period , applying the ASCP and the suitable hemodilution degree in operation , maintaining electrolyte balance , and correcting hypernatremia timely in the postoperative pe-riod maybe reduce the incidence of neurological complications after DHCA operation .

Pulmonary endarterectomy: with use of moderate hypothermia and antegrade cerebral perfusion without circulatory arrest.

Pulmonary endarterectomy is the treatment of choice in suitable patients who have chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. The most common surgical technique involves the use of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Herein, we describe a modified aortic clamping technique with selective antegrade cerebral perfusion, performed with moderate hypothermia but without circulatory arrest. This technique avoids the adverse effects of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and also establishes a bloodless surgical field. We achieved good surgical results and acceptable long-term outcomes in 3 patients with use of this technique, which we recommend as a feasible alternative to the standard operative practice.

Surgical management of a giant ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm.

Aortic pseudoaneurysm is a rare, life-threatening complication after cardiac or aortic root surgery. When a pseudoaneurysm has eroded bony structures in the chest, the surgeon's challenge is to choose the safest approach for sternotomy. Herein, we report the case of a 74-year-old woman who presented with a giant pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta, 8 years after undergoing aortic valve replacement. The 8.9×5.8-cm formation arose in the anterior aortic sinus, extended to the retrosternal region, exerted mass effect on the main pulmonary artery, and eroded the bony structures of the sternum and medial upper chest. A new aortic valved tissue conduit was placed, and the coronary arteries were reimplanted. The patient recovered without neurologic sequelae. We discuss the characteristics of this case and explain our surgical decisions.