Optimal temperature for selective cerebral perfusion.

OBJECTIVE: Although combinations of hypothermic circulatory arrest and antegrade selective cerebral perfusion are used for cerebral protection during arch surgery, there is no consensus regarding the optimal temperature during selective cerebral perfusion. This study explored the effect of different temperatures during selective cerebral perfusion on cerebral metabolism and neurologic outcome. METHODS: In this blinded study, 40 pigs (19-21 kg) were randomized into 4 groups after 30 minutes of hypothermic circulatory arrest at 20 degrees C. During a 60-minute interval of selective cerebral perfusion, with flow regulated to maintain a perfusion pressure of 50 mm Hg, pigs were perfused at 10 degrees C, 15 degrees C, 20 degrees C, and 25 degrees C. Fluorescent microspheres enabled calculation of cerebral blood flow during perfusion and recovery. Hemodynamics, intracranial pressure, cerebrovascular resistance, and oxygen consumption were also monitored. Behavioral scores were obtained for 7 days after surgery. RESULTS: Cerebral blood flow decreased significantly ( P < .002) during cooling in all groups: it was significantly higher throughout selective cerebral perfusion in the 20 degrees C to 25 degrees C versus the 10 degrees C to 15 degrees C group ( P = .0001) and remained higher during recovery ( P = .0001). Oxygen consumption decreased significantly with cooling ( P = .0001), remained low during perfusion, and rebounded with rewarming but was significantly lower at 10 degrees C to 15 degrees C than at 20 degrees C to 25 degrees C throughout selective cerebral perfusion ( P = .003) and after CPB was discontinued ( P = .001). Postoperative behavioral scores were significantly better after selective cerebral perfusion at 10 degrees C to 15 degrees C than at 20 degrees C to 25 degrees C ( P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that selective cerebral perfusion at 10 degrees C to 15 degrees C provides better cerebral protection than selective cerebral perfusion at 20 degrees C to 25 degrees C, even though oxygen consumption remains low for hours after selective cerebral perfusion at 10 degrees C to 15 degrees C. Prompt return of metabolism to baseline levels after hypothermic circulatory arrest/selective cerebral perfusion does not necessarily predict superior behavioral outcome.

Composite aortic root replacement in acute type A dissection: time to rethink the indications?

OBJECTIVE: The indications for aortic root replacement in acute type A dissection are unclear. We reviewed the immediate and long-term outcome of consecutive patients in a series in which a low-threshold policy of composite aortic root replacement had evolved. METHODS: From a prospectively compiled aortic surgery database, we identified 162 patients who had either supracoronary interposition grafting, Group A (n=89), or composite root replacement, Group B (n=73) for acute type A dissection. Patients receiving total arch replacements were excluded. Operative and clinical details were analyzed and patient survival was compared to an age and gender matched census cohort. Need for reoperation on the proximal or distal aorta was also noted. Follow-up totaled 795.5 patient-years. RESULTS: Hospital mortality rates were identical in both groups (12.3%: 11 deaths in group A; 9 in group B). Chronic pulmonary disease, diabetes, malperfusion, hemodynamic compromise and aortic root dilatation were independent risk factors for hospital death. Actuarial survival estimates at 1, 5 and 10 years were 79% (71-88%), 64% (53-75%), and 55% (41-68%) for group A, and 79% (70-86%), 73% (62-83%), and 65% (52-78%) for group B (P=0.48). Age and operative patency of the ascending false lumen were independent risk factors for death after hospital discharge. Proximal aortic reoperation was required for four patients in group A and none in group B (P=0.085). CONCLUSION: A strategy of replacement rather than repair of the dissected aortic root for specific indications in type A dissection yielded high survival and low proximal reoperation rates. These results support an aggressive policy of composite root replacement in acute type A dissection.

Mild hypothermia protects the spinal cord from ischemic injury in a chronic porcine model.

OBJECTIVES: During thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair, prolonged compromise of spinal cord blood supply can result in irreversible spinal cord injury. This study investigated the impact of mild hypothermia during aortic cross-clamping on postoperative paraplegia in a chronic porcine model. METHODS: The thoracic aorta was exposed and cross-clamped in 30 juvenile pigs (20-22 kg) for different intervals at normothermia (36.5 degrees C), and during mild hypothermia (32.0 degrees C). Three pigs were evaluated at each time and temperature. Myogenic motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) were monitored, and postoperative recovery evaluated using a modified Tarlov score. RESULTS: There were no significant hemodynamic or metabolic differences between individual animals, and the groups had equivalent arterial pressures (mean 64.3+/-3.6 mmHg). Time to recovery of MEPs correlated with severity of injury; all animals with irreversible MEP loss suffered postoperative paraplegia. At normothermia, animals with 20 min of aortic cross-clamping emerged with normal motor function, but those cross-clamped for 30 min suffered paraplegia. With mild hypothermia, animals tolerated 50 min of aortic cross-clamping without evidence of neurologic injury, but were all paraplegic after 70 min of ischemia. Animals appeared to recover normal motor function after 60 min of aortic cross-clamping at hypothermia initially, but exhibited delayed-onset paraplegia 36 h postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations indicate that mild hypothermia dramatically increases the tolerance of the spinal cord to ischemia in the pig, and therefore suggests that cooling to 32.0 degrees C should be encouraged during surgery which may compromise spinal cord blood supply. An ischemic insult of borderline severity may result in delayed paraplegia.