[Dynamic functional assessment of internal carotid artery tortuosity in patients with multifocal atherosclerosis]. / Dinamicheskaya funktsional'naya otsenka patologicheskikh izvitostei vnutrennikh sonnykh arterii u bol'nykh s mul'tifokal'nym aterosklerozom. Klinicheskii sluchai.

A personalized approach with attention to anamnesis and specific symptoms is necessary in patients with internal carotid artery tortuosity. Neuroimaging (especially before elective surgery) or functional stress tests following ultrasound of supra-aortic vessels may be necessary depending on medical history and complaints. In addition to standard Doppler ultrasound, these patients should undergo rotational and orthostatic transformation tests. We analyze changes in shape and hemodynamic parameters within the tortuosity area in various body positions. This is especially valuable for patients with concomitant carotid artery stenosis. The article presents a clinical case illustrating the importance of such approach.

[Surgical treatment of a patient with syphilitic aortitis]. / Khirurgicheskoe lechenie patsienta s sifiliticheskim aortitom.

Syphilitic aortitis is a rare disease caused by Treponema pallidum affecting the aorta and leading to inflammation. Syphilitic aortitis is one of the causes of aortic aneurysms. This article presents surgical treatment of a patient with syphilitic aortitis and thoracic aortic aneurysm. This clinical case confirms the difficulties of surgical treatment.

The Frozen Elephant Trunk Procedure Using New Russian Hybrid Prosthesis "Soft Elephant Trunk": the Early Experience.

Aim      To present the first experience of performing the Frozen Elephant Trunk (FET) surgery in patients with thoracic aorta disease using a new Russian hybrid stent graft "Soft Elephant Trunk".Material and methods  Between 2014 and 2021, 170 patients with thoracic aortic disease underwent complete aortic arch replacement using the FET technique. In 70 of these cases (since June 2019), a hybrid graft "Soft Elephant Trunk" was used. A specific feature of this graft is the conical reduction of the radial force of nitinol crowns and the soft distal end without radial force. The study endpoints were early postoperative results, as well as the absence of reoperations on the aorta, absence of stent-graft-associated complications, including distal stent-graft-induced fenestration, and survival at a mid-term follow-up of up to 2.5 years.Results Interventions were performed in patients with A type aortic dissection (n=51; 72.9 %), type B aortic dissection (n=13; 18.6 %), and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) (n=6; 8.5 %). In 14 (20 %) of these cases, interventions were performed after a primary intervention on the proximal aorta. Acute aortic dissection was diagnosed in 17 (24.3 %) cases. Aortic root replacement was performed in 21 (30 %) cases, David procedure in 5 (7.2 %) cases, Bentall-DeBono procedure in 11 (15.7 %) cases, and supracoronary graft placement in 33 (47.1 %) cases. There were no cases of paraplegia or paraparesis. Respiratory insufficiency was observed in 8 (11.4%) cases. In one (1.4%) case, acute renal failure developed, which required renal replacement therapy. In-hospital mortality was 4.3 % (3 patients died). Mean follow-up duration was 9 [4.25; 16] months. Three-year survival was 94 % (95 % confidence interval, CI: 88-99.9) and absence of reoperation was 96.6 % (95 % CI: 90.1-100). There were no cases of distal stent-graft-induced fenestration in this group.Conclusion      The new hybrid graft, due to its specific structure, provides prevention of distal stent-graft-induced fenestration and, thereby, a stable long-term result. Using this stent-graft is effective in patients with thoracic aorta pathology undergoing the FET surgery. However, further studies are needed to determine potential advantages and disadvantages of this new hybrid graft, to obtain long-term results and accumulate experience.

[Quality of Life and Pain Syndrome in Patients With Thoracic Aorta Repair Using a Mini-Sternotomy].

Aim      To determine the effect of minimally invasive interventions on the quality of life (QoL), pain syndrome, and cosmetic effect in patients with a pathology of chest aorta as compared with a group of traditional access.Material and methods  From 2016 through 2020, 77 of 226 (34%) patients with an aneurysm in the proximal chest aorta and mini-sternotomy were prospectively selected starting from 2017. To evaluate differences between the effects of mini-sternotomy and the traditional access on QoL and pain syndrome a control group of patients with full sternotomy (n=77) was formed using pseudorandomization. Intergroup comparison of QoL, pain syndrome, and cosmetic parameters was performed at various time points.Results Mini-sternotomy provided a decrease in pain syndrome both during the early period (day 3), and during movements upon discharge. Also, mini-sternotomy decreased the duration of stay in the hospital compared to full sternotomy (8.1±2.1 vs. 8.9±2.5 days, respectively; р>0.0331). A more frequent use of analgesics by patients with full sternotomy was noted. Mini-sternotomy was associated with a faster recovery of most QoL parameters according to the SF-36 questionnaire at one year after surgery. The questionnaire included summarizing parameters of physical and mental health components (Physical Health Component, Physical Health (PH): 54.3±11.9 vs. 58.2±8.2, respectively; p=0.046; Mental Health Component, Mental Health (MH): 53.8±6.8 vs. 57.8±9.5, respectively; p=0.013). In addition, patients with minimal access showed higher values of the cosmetic effect by a 5-score scale (4.08±0.8 vs. 4.39±0.8, respectively; p=0.049) and a greater interest to having a minimal access surgery.Conclusion      Mini-sternotomy beneficially influences the pain syndrome, cosmetic outcome, and QoL and provides a shorter duration of rehabilitation and a sooner return to work and everyday life compared to full sternotomy.

[Aortic arch debranching in hybrid thoracic aortic replacement]. / Pereklyucheniya vetvei dugi pri gibridnykh vmeshatel'stvakh na grudnoi aorte.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the outcomes of aortic arch debranching in hybrid thoracic aortic replacement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were 107 patients who underwent hybrid thoracic aortic repair with debranching of supra-aortic vessels between 2015 and 2021. Patients underwent total and partial debranching (subtotal debranching and subclavian-carotid anastomosis/bypass). Debranching was performed in patients with type 3 dissection, type B aneurysms, post-traumatic aortic isthmus and arch aneurysms, thoracoabdominal aneurysms type A and DeBakey type 1 dissections. RESULTS: One patient (0.9%) died from thoracic aorta rupture after retrograde dissection. There was a moderate decrease of blood flow velocity through the left vertebral artery after subtotal debranching without severe hemodynamic disorders. Despite mild surgical trauma, subtotal and especially total debranching are characterized by higher risk of thrombosis of branches with potential fatal outcomes. In young patients requiring subtotal aortic arch debranching, open reconstruction or repair with fenestrated stents is preferred. We recommend a Bavaria type II hybrid procedure for patients with high surgical risk. In our opinion, more physiological hybrid interventions with anatomical arrangement of supra-aortic vessels such as Elephant Trunk and Frozen Elephant Trunk procedures are preferred.

[Risk factors for neurological complications in the late period after operations on the ascending aortic arch]. / Faktory riska nevrologicheskikh oslozhnenii v pozdnem periode posle operatsii na voskhodyashchem otdele i duge aorty.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk factors for unfavorable neurological outcomes in the long-term follow-up periods (after 5 and 10 years) in patients undergoing planned operations on the ascending and arch of the aorta. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The prospective study included 100 patients who were operated on at the FSBSI Petrovsky Russian Research Center of Surgery and were observed over a long period of time (up to 10 years). Patients of group I (n=50) underwent surgery on the aortic arch with antegrade cerebral perfusion and hypothermic circulatory arrest (26 °C). Patients of group II (n=50) underwent prosthetics of the ascending aorta with extracorporeal circulation with moderate hypothermia (32 °C). All patients performed cognitive tests before and after surgery, as well as 5 and 10 years after reconstruction. Possible risk factors were analyzed with respect to 3 expected negative consequences: postoperative delirium, neurocognitive dysfunction and long-term neurological disorders after 5 and 10 years of follow-up. RESULTS: Long-term cognitive impairments were statistically significantly associated with the following predictors: age, baseline presence of mild cognitive impairment, episodes of intraoperative microembolism, episodes of decreased cerebral perfusion, and delirium. The presence of short-term cognitive impairments in the immediate postoperative period was a significant risk factor for detecting impairments 5 and 10 years after surgery. CONCLUSION: For the possibility of preventing long-term unfavorable outcomes of the intellectual sphere, the main attention should be directed to the dynamics of the patient's neurological state in the immediate postoperative period.

[Surgical treatment of mega aorta syndrome: a single-center experience]. / Khirurgicheskoe lechenie sindroma megaaorty: opyt odnogo tsentra.

OBJECTIVE: To present our experience in the treatment of severe patients with mega aorta syndrome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were 49 patients with mega aorta syndrome for the period from May 2015 to March 2021. All patients underwent total aortic replacement from sinotubular junction (with staged aortic root repair, if necessary) to abdominal aorta bifurcation. All surgeries were elective. All patients were divided into two groups: group I (n=33; 67.3%) - staged replacement, group II (n=16; 32.7%) - one-staged replacement of the aorta via thoracophrenolumbotomy. The primary endpoints were mortality, perioperative parameters and complications. We also analyzed long-term freedom from aortic redo surgery and survival rate. RESULTS: Both groups were comparable by pre-, intra- and postoperative parameters. The interval between surgeries for staged approach was 7.1±2.3 months. Rehabilitation time considering two stages was longer in group I (13±2 vs. 5.5±1.1 months, p=0.0001). Between-stage mortality rate was 12% (n=4). Intraoperative mortality was absent in both groups. In-hospital mortality was 3% and 12% (p=0.25), overall mortality with between-stage interval - 10.2% and 12% (p=1.000), respectively. The follow-up period was similar (18±22.7 (range 1-71) and 23.3±19.1 (range 1-51) months, respectively (p=0.63)). In group I, 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rate considering between-stage mortality was 89% (95% CI 78-100%), 77.1% (95% CI 60.1-98.8%), 77.1% (95% CI 60.1-98.8%), respectively. In group II, 1-year and 3-year survival rate was 86.5% (95% CI 70.5-100%), plog-rank=0.88. Overall freedom from redo surgery was 92.9% (95% CI 80.3-100%) vs. 90.9% (95% CI 75.4-100%), plog-rank=0.072. CONCLUSION: One-stage total aortic replacement via thoracophrenolumbotomy is safe surgical treatment for mega aorta syndrome, especially in young patients with low surgical risk. Favorable outcomes may be expected in specialized centers with extensive experience in aortic surgery. Compared to staged approach, total aortic replacement eliminates the risks of between-stage aortic rupture. Therefore, it is a worthy alternative to other methods.

[Endovascular treatment of common iliac artery aneurisms]. / Rezul'taty endovaskulyarnogo lecheniya anevrizm obshchei podvzdoshnoi arterii.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate endovascular management of common iliac artery aneurysms with iliac branch devices and to discuss some technical aspects of these interventions including bilateral procedures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair with concomitant implantation of iliac branch devices was performed in 9 patients at the Petrovsky National Research Center of Surgery for the period from January 2019 to December 2020. Mean age of patients was 64.8± years (min 52; max 72 years). Preoperative planning and morphometric analysis were based on CT data with a slice thickness of 1 mm. Angiographic reconstruction was made using Osirix 3D software (OsiriX Foundation, Geneva, Switzerland). Abdominal aortic aneurysm was combined with common iliac artery aneurysm in 7 patients (77.7%). Three (33.3%) patients had isolated common iliac artery aneurysm without significant abdominal aorta enlargement (Reber type I). Bilateral common iliac artery aneurysms were detected in 1 (11.1%) patient. All patients had iliac artery aneurysms over 4 cm. Iliac branch device implantation was accompanied by endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair in all patients. RESULTS: Technical success rate was 100%. Six-month results were followed-up in 5 patients (55.5%), annual outcomes - in 2 patients (22.2%). Control examination consisted of a telephone interview, ultrasound of abdominal aorta, pelvic and lower limb arteries and computed tomography. All patients had no endoleaks, stent-graft thrombosis, as well as signs of ischemia of pelvic organs and lower extremities. Incidence of iliac artery aneurysm combined with abdominal aortic aneurysms is about 20%. Until recently, treatment of these patients was performed exclusively with covering of internal iliac artery. Improvement of technologies and development of iliac branch devices made it possible to preserve blood flow in internal iliac artery after endovascular management. This approach allowed avoiding of ischemic complications associated with embolization of internal iliac arteries.

[Evaluation of immediate complications and 10-years neurological outcomes in patients after reconstructive interventions on the ascending aorta and the aortic arch]. / Otsenka blizhaishikh i 10-letnikh nevrologicheskikh iskhodov u patsientov posle rekonstruktivnykh vmeshatel'stv na voskhodyashchem otdele i duge aorty.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the frequency of early postoperative neurological complications in patients undergoing planned surgery on the ascending aortic and arch of the aorta, and their long-term outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The prospective study included 100 patients who were operated on at the FSBSI Petrovsky Russian Research Center of Surgery. In group I (n=50), operations were performed on the aortic arch with hypothermic circulatory arrest (26 °C) and antegrade cerebral perfusion. Patients in group II underwent prosthetics of the ascending aorta with extracorporeal circulation and moderate hypothermia (32 °C). All patients underwent monitoring of cerebral and tissue oxygenation, transcranial Doppler and testing of cognitive functions before and after surgery, and after 5 and 10 years of follow-up. RESULTS: Postoperative stroke in group I was observed in 1 (2%) patient, no cases were observed in group II. Delirium was detected in 14% of patients in group I and 6% of patients in group II, its subsyndromal form was found in 6 and 4%, respectively. Moderate cognitive impairment in the immediate postoperative period was found in 42 and 26%; severe in 8% of group I. After 5 years of follow-up, the number of patients with moderate and severe cognitive impairment was 23.1 and 12.8%, respectively. After 10 years, severe disorders were identified in 37.5 and 21.9% of patients. CONCLUSION: In cardiac surgery patients, intraoperative multimodal monitoring allows dynamic regulation of antegrade cerebral perfusion. Dynamic testing of cognitive functions and early detection of delirium in the immediate postoperative period improve long-term neurological treatment outcomes.

[Multi-component multi-stage treatment of a patient with infection of thoracic aorta prosthesis, deep sternal wound infection and soft tissue deficit of the chest]. / Mnogokomponentnoe, mnogoetapnoe lechenie patsientki s infektsiei proteza vsei grudnoi aorty, osteomielitom grudiny i defitsitom myagkikh tkanei grudnoi kletki.

We report a comorbid patient after redo Frozen Elephant Trunk procedure followed by recurrent infection of thoracic aortic prosthesis, deep sternal wound infection and extensive soft tissue defect. Closure with skin-muscle thoracodorsal flap and graft-sparing technique with omentoplasty is an alternative to total graft replacement for thoracic aortic graft infection in comorbid patients with concomitant extensive defect of the chest wall or recurrent infection in early postoperative period.

[Liver transplantation for hepatoblastoma in children]. / Transplantatsiya pecheni pri gepatoblastome u detei.

OBJECTIVE: To improve the outcomes in children with hepatoblastoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were 160 children with focal liver lesions who underwent surgery at the department of liver transplantation in 2008-2019. Patients with malignant tumors made up 77% (n=123). Hepatoblastoma (HB) prevailed (86%, n=106). Liver transplantation was performed in 19 (18%) patients with HB. Median follow-up after transplantation was 24.3 months by December 2019. Follow-up period did not exceed 4 years in more than 2/3 of patients. RESULTS: Overall and disease-free 10-year survival was 87.1% and 82.7%, respectively. Similar values were observed after resections (91.1% and 86.6%). At the same time, actuarial 4-year survival after liver transplantation for HB was 68%. CONCLUSION: Improvement of treatment outcomes may be achieved through multidisciplinary interaction ensuring timely drug therapy and liver transplantation.

Results of Minimally Invasive Valve-Sparing Aortic Root Valve Surgery: Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

Aim      Evaluation of efficacy and safety of minimally invasive, valve-sparing interventions on the aortic root and a comparative analysis of outcomes versus a group of patients with a complete sternotomy intervention using the method of propensity score matching (PSM).Materials and methods From 2016 through 2019, 458 interventions on the aortic root were performed, including 160 (36.6 %) interventions with mini-sternotomy. The study included 106 patients with the valve-sparing surgery (David procedure). Two groups of 30 patients each were formed using PSMC: group 1, complete sternotomy (CS) and group 2, J-shaped mini-sternotomy (MS). Immediate and long-term outcomes were evaluated at 13.8±10.3 (1-38 months (min-max) in the MS group and 42±21 (1-61 months (min-max) in the CS group.Results Statistically significant differences in death rate, echocardiographic indexes, absence of reoperations and complications in the postoperative period were not observed. In group 2, durations of extracorporeal circulation (p=0.04) and period of myocardial ischemia (p=0.004) were increased. The same group showed decreased intraoperative blood loss (p=0.001), postoperative drainage losses (p=0.0001), extubation time (р=0.0001), duration of stay in resuscitation and intensive care units and in the department of reconstructive recovery cardiovascular surgery (p=0,005).Conclusion      The David procedure with mini-sternotomy is a safe and effective alternative to the traditional approach. This technique significantly reduces the time of rehabilitation and duration of patients' stay in the hospital without significant differences in the long-term period, which suggests advantages of this method. However, despite these promising results, the retrospective nature of this study, a small sample of patients, and a short follow-up period warrant further study.

[Hybrid aortic repair in patients with type III aortic dissection and concomitant proximal aortic lesion]. / Gibridnye operatsii u patsientov s rassloeniem aorty III tipa i porazheniem ee proksimal'nogo otdela.

OBJECTIVE: To report our own experience of hybrid treatment using FET technique in patients with type A aortic dissection and concomitant lesion of aortic arch and ascending aorta. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were 90 (28,3%) FET procedures for the period from January 2010 to August 2019. Type B aortic dissection was diagnosed in 19 (45,2%) patients. Type B aortic dissection combined with aortic arch aneurysm occurred in 11 (58%) cases, ascending aorta aneurysm - 15 (79%) cases. Patients underwent total arch and ascending aorta replacement via median sternotomy (upper partial J-shaped sternotomy in 3 cases). Valve-sparing interventions were performed in 58% of cases (aortic root repair - 6 (32%) patients, David procedure - 5 (26%) cases). Intraoperative features, early postoperative morbidity and in-hospital mortality were retrospectively analyzed. In long-term period, distal aortic remodeling, survival rate and incidence of redo interventions were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean CPB time was 166±27 min, aortic cross-clamping time - 93±23 min, duration of circulatory arrest - 43±11 min. Neurological complications and paraplegia were absent. In-hospital mortality was absent. Reversible acute renal failure without need for hemodialysis developed in 2 cases (11%). Two patients underwent repeated intervention (TEVAR) due to dSINE and negative aortic remodeling. Annual survival rate was 100%. Freedom from redo aortic surgery was 89,5%. CONCLUSION: FET surgery is an adequate alternative treatment for type B aortic dissection combined with lesion of aortic arch and ascending aorta. This approach ensures a one-stage repair in patients with contraindications to TEVAR. Unlike thoracotomy, FET procedure is valuable for simultaneous correction of cardiac and proximal aortic lesion, stabilizing the distal segments of dissected aorta. This is obvious advantage of this technique.

[Postoperative care in patients with DeBakey type I aortic dissection: criteria of aortic remodeling and risk factors of disease progression]. / Osobennosti techeniia posleoperatsionnogo perioda u patsientov s rassloeniem aorty I tipa po DeBakey: kriterii otsenki remodelirovaniia aorty i faktorov riska progressirovaniia zabolevaniia.

AIM: To present current treatment modes for DeBakey type I aortic dissection, to compare their early and mid-term postoperative results, to evaluate predictors of negative aortic remodeling after surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort analysis included 78 patients with DeBakey type I aortic dissection who underwent surgical treatment in 2009-2017. Patients were divided into 3 groups depending on type of intervention: group I (n=22) - Elephant Trunk procedure, group II (n=29) - hybrid interventions, group III (n=27) - proximal aortic replacement alone. Early postoperative results and aortic remodeling in mid-term postoperative period were compared. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in postoperative morbidity, in-hospital mortality and freedom from aortic death. However, 7 patients were lost for follow-up in group III. Analysis of false lumen patency showed results in favor of more aggressive approach (groups I and II) with significantly higher rate of false lumen thrombosis in segments 1 and 2 (p<0,001 and p=0,004 respectively). Freedom from negative aortic remodeling was also significantly higher in groups I and II. Risk factors of patent false lumen were residual fenestration, large volume of false lumen in segment 2, dissection of supra-aortic vessels and connective tissue disorders. Risk factors of negative aortic remodeling were connective tissue disorders, patent false lumen and dissection of supra-aortic vessels. CONCLUSION: Advanced surgical approach (Elephant Trunk procedure or hybrid interventions) should be preferred for DeBakey type I aortic dissection.

[Early and long-term cognitive disorders after carotid endarterectomy]. / Kognitivnye rasstroistva v rannem i otdalennom periodakh u patsientov posle karotidnoi éndarteréktomii.

AIM: To identify correlation of carotid endarterectomy with neurocognitive function and psycho-emotional state changes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were 120 patients with internal carotid arteries (ICA) stenoses for the period from September 2013 to December 2016. The main group consisted of 100 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy for internal carotid artery stenosis, control group - 20 patients who refused surgery in 2014-2016. Cognitive function and psycho-emotional state were assessed preoperatively, after 24 hours, 7 days and 3, 6 months postoperatively using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Frontal assessment battery (FAB), Information-Memory-Concentration Test, Clock Drawing Test and Schulte`s test, Luria Memory Words Test, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Covi Anxiety Scale. RESULTS: Moderate preoperative cognitive impairment was observed in 39 (39%) patients of the main group. De novo postoperative cognitive dysfunction occurred in 65 patients on the 1st day after surgery (65%). Disturbances were noted after 1 week in 26%, after 3 months - in 15%, after 6 months - in 10% of patients. Improved status was noted in 31 (31%) patients of the main group within 1 day after surgery. Improved results were observed after 7 days in 52 (52%) patients, after 3 months - in 67 (67%), after 6 months - in 78 (78%) patients. Mean values of psycho-emotional testing in the main group were high before surgery and significantly decreased on the 1st day after operation. However, advanced anxiety and aggravation of depression occurred in 14% of patients (n=14) that affected cognitive sphere (p<0.01). Progressive cognitive impairment was noted in the control group. CONCLUSION: Carotid endarterectomy has a positive long-term effect on initially impaired neurocognitive functions (3 and 6 months) (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in cognitive testing data in subgroups of eversion and classical procedures (p>0.05). Early postoperative depressive disorders significantly increase the risk of postoperative cognitive dysfunction.

[Surgical treatment of DeBakey type 1 aortic dissection]. / Opyt khirurgicheskogo lecheniia bol'nykh s rassloeniem aorty 1-go tipa po DeBakey.

The article is devoted to the founder of Russian Research Center for Surgery, academician B.V. Petrovsky, who created a multi-field surgical institution of the highest world standards. Treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms and dissections being the most difficult and laborious has been solved at the Russian Research Center for Surgery from initial procedures to the most difficult hybrid interventions and total aortic repair.

[Subclavian-carotid replacement in chronic cerebrovascular insufficiency management]. / Podkliuchichno-vnutrennesonnoe protezirovanie v lechenii khronicheskoi ishemii golovnogo mozga.

AIM: To present own experience of subclavian-carotid replacement for chronic cerebrovascular insufficiency management. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For 12 years 7 subclavian-carotid reconstructions were performed that was 1.2% of all carotid repairs during this period. Great saphenous vein was always used as a graft. Carotid endarterectomy from proximal internal carotid artery was additionally performed if it was necessary. Patients had severe advanced lesion of supra-aortic vessels including bilateral carotid lesion and significant stenosis of ipsilateral proximal common carotid artery. The vast majority of them had cerebrovascular insufficiency grade 3-4. RESULTS: All patients underwent surgery without significant complications despite initially severe state due to advanced lesion of brachiocephalic arteries. Long-term postoperative patency of the grafts was satisfactory within the period from 12 years to 1.5 months. There were no neurological impairment and stroke. CONCLUSION: Subclavian-carotid grafting is an effective alternative for carotid endarterectomy in patients with advanced atherosclerotic lesion of common and internal carotid arteries.

[Cardiopulmonary bypass in thoracic surgery]. / Iskusstvennoe krovoobrashchenie v torakal'noi khirurgii.

AIM: To analyze advisability of cardiopulmonary bypass in thoracic surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We estimated early and long-term results of CPB-assisted thoracic interventions in 31 patients with malignant and benign thoracic diseases and invasion into vital mediastinal structures or with concomitant cardiovascular pathology. RESULTS: Acceptable rates of mortality and morbidity confirm safety of CPB in thoracic surgery while satisfactory long-term outcomes are arguments in favor of this direction of thoracic oncology.