|
|
||||||||
J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1998;115:162-167
© 1998 Mosby, Inc.
SURGERY FOR CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE |
From the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Oxford Heart Center, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Received for publication Feb. 10, 1997; accepted for publication August 27, 1997. Revisions requested August 5, 1997; revisions received August 27, 1997. Address for reprints: Stephen Westaby, MS, FRCS, Oxford Heart Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom.
| Abstract |
|---|
|
|
|---|
| Introduction |
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
| Patients and methods |
|---|
|
|
|---|
|
Arterial return was first established with a short, angled cannula in the ascending aorta (Fig. 3). The site was chosen to avoid potential embolic material, where the manual palpation of the ascending aorta was routinely given for calcification. Venous return to the pump oxygenator was through a right-angled venous cannula in the main pulmonary artery and passed through the pulmonary valve into the right ventricle. These cannulas were secured anteriorly in the wound, away from the main operative field. Cardiopulmonary bypass was then established with cooling of the nasopharyngeal temperature to 20° C. Meanwhile the left phrenic nerve and left recurrent laryngeal nerve were identified, mobilized from the aneurysm, and protected. When coronary grafts were required, the distal anastomoses were performed during the cooling period. At 20° C the patient was tilted, head down, and the circulation arrested. Venous blood was drained into the oxygenator. For patients having coronary bypass, the ascending aorta was temporarily crossclamped and cold crystalloid cardioplegic solution (St. Thomas' Hospital solution) infused. Cardioplegia was not used for aortic resection alone when relatively short periods of total circulatory arrest (less than 30 minutes) were required. The aortic arch was then opened and for complete arch replacement the head vessels were mobilized collectively on a single aortic patch. The aortic arch was replaced by anastomosing this patch to a collagen-impregnated vascular graft, the proximal end of which was then used to replace the appropriate length of ascending aorta. If the ascending aorta was normal, the arterial cannula was left in its original position. When the whole ascending aorta was replaced, the arterial cannula was repositioned within the vascular graft. Single tube grafts were used for the arch and the descending aorta. The new ascending aorta and arch were then deaired, and a vascular clamp was placed on the graft distal to the left subclavian artery. In patients with complete arch replacements, temporary retrograde venous perfusion was used to dispel air and debris from the carotid vessels through a balloon catheter introduced into the right internal jugular vein through the innominate vein. We did not use continuous retrograde jugular venous perfusion. After a short period of total circulatory arrest for the two aortic anastomoses (Table II), cardiopulmonary bypass was reestablished to restore antegrade cerebral perfusion, together with coronary flow. The descending thoracic aorta was then replaced without time constraint, thereby allowing careful attention to intercostal reimplantation and hemostasis. Rewarming was initiated at restoration of pump flow because the low perfusion rates (1 L/min) at this time do not cause rewarming of the cold ischemic viscera. Proximal coronary anastomoses were performed during rewarming and great care taken to deair the descending aortic graft so as to avoid visceral air embolism. The extent of aortic resection or repair is shown for each patient in Table I.
|
|
|
Statistical analysis.
The incidence of adverse and other events is shown as percentage and 95% confidence limits.
| Results |
|---|
|
|
|---|
The remaining 17 patients all recovered satisfactorily and were extubated within 48 hours of operation. None required reintubation or special weaning techniques. Mean transfusion requirement for the entire group during the perioperative period was 7.4 units of packed red cells (range 3.0 to 12 units). Fourteen patients received platelet concentrates and fresh frozen plasma. Twelve of the 18 patients received low-dose inotropic support. One patient had sustained elevation of serum creatinine (180 mg/L) greater than preoperative levels, but he maintained a normal urinary output and did not require dialysis. Only one patient sustained a possible neurologic complication (5.6%, range 0.14% to 27%, p = 0.05). This 69-year-old woman underwent distal aortic arch and proximal descending thoracic replacement and had isolated weakness of the right arm. Movement was preserved against resistance and the limb was normal within 1 week of operation. A computed tomographic scan showed no abnormality. Although deemed a neurologic event, this could have been related to the position of the arm on the operating table. Two patients who had left recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy preoperatively had persistent hoarseness after the operation. No new phrenic or left recurrent laryngeal nerve palsies occurred as a result of surgery. The mean duration of postoperative hospital stay was 9 days (range 5 to 19 days). None had problems with sternal healing. Thirteen of the 18 patients were discharged in less than 10 days. All 17 hospital survivors are alive and well after a mean follow-up period of 3.5 years (range 0.2 to 5.6 years).
| Discussion |
|---|
|
|
|---|
Our preference for antegrade cerebral perfusion now extends to the combination of aortic root and aortic arch disease. Whereas these cases would previously have been approached by means of femoral arterial cannulation, we now preferentially cannulate the proximal aortic arch. Transesophageal echocardiography can be used to ensure absence of thrombus or friable atheroma at the cannulation site. During circulatory arrest, the cannula is removed and then reinserted into the vascular graft. We find no contraindication to guided cannulation of pathologic aorta that will be excised later. Echocardiography also provides information about the satisfactory position of the cannula tip and documents effective carotid flow. The method described is applicable to patients with a preexisting ascending aortic graft, but we would selectively perfuse the left subclavian artery in patients with chronic dissection of the ascending aorta.
Extension of the left thoracotomy across the sternum provides access for safe, standard, ascending aortic cannulation, and we have had no morbidity from this incision. Venous return from the right ventricle, as popularized by Kouchoukos, provides excellent flow with expedite cooling and rewarming.
4 The cannulas are conveniently situated anteriorly away from the main operative field, and access to the aortic arch and descending thoracic aorta is much better than with the sternotomy approach. In particular, the phrenic and recurrent laryngeal nerves are easily identified and preserved. From the patient's standpoint a single operation is preferable to staged aortic arch then descending aortic resection as long as the risks of morbidity are not increased. Up to 50% of our patients may otherwise have been subject to two operations. The method described provides early reperfusion of the cerebral and coronary vessels and thereby allows reconstruction of the descending thoracic or thoracoabdominal aorta without time constraint. We have not observed paraplegia with this method. In contrast, the patient whose brain is illustrated in Fig. 1 underwent total thoracic aortic replacement with aortic root repair through extended left thoracotomy but with femoral cannulation. Retrograde cerebral perfusion as a deairing maneuver failed to prevent severe cerebral damage, which negated an otherwise uneventful procedure.
It is difficult to perform a prospective randomized study to investigate the cerebral protective properties of our pharmacologic cocktail. Such an investigation would require detailed neuropsychologic tests both before and after major thoracic aortic surgery in matched patient groups with many variables. However, from experience with cerebral malperfusion in patients having aortic dissection, we have some anecdotal evidence of benefit. One of our patients with pretreated type A dissection had 15 minutes of normothermic cerebral ischemia before cerebral blood flow was established through the left ventricular apex but made a complete recovery and returned to work as an accountant. We have not observed excessive bleeding in patients treated with nimodipine, but this calcium-channel blocker is negatively inotropic, and a 10- to 15-minute period of normothermic coronary perfusion may be required before discontinuing cardiopulmonary bypass.
5,6 We are cautious in our use of aprotinin in cases of profoundly hypothermic arrest. Both hypothermia and aprotinin extend the activated clotting time and prejudice reliable heparin management.
7 We prefer to infuse aprotinin during the rewarming period of cardiopulmonary bypass in selected patients with pleural adhesions or excessive bleeding on entry.
In summary, this experience with extended left thoracotomy, a central cannulation technique, and single-stage repair of combined arch and descending thoracic aortic conditions illustrates the safety of the method. Duration of both cerebral and myocardial ischemia is relatively short with this approach, and our patients did not experience paraplegia, renal failure (requiring dialysis), or bleeding problems. The ability to visualize and protect the phrenic and recurrent laryngeal nerves contributes to expediting recovery in patients with impaired respiratory function.
| References |
|---|
|
|
|---|
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
M. Karck and H. Kamiya Progress of the treatment for extended aortic aneurysms; is the frozen elephant trunk technique the next standard in the treatment of complex aortic disease including the arch? Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., June 1, 2008; 33(6): 1007 - 1013. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Di Eusanio, M. Ciano, G. Labriola, G. Lionetti, and G. Di Eusanio Cannulation of the innominate artery during surgery of the thoracic aorta: our experience in 55 patients Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., August 1, 2007; 32(2): 270 - 273. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
H. Sasaki, H. Ogino, H. Matsuda, K. Minatoya, M. Ando, and S. Kitamura Integrated Total Arch Replacement Using Selective Cerebral Perfusion: A 6-Year Experience Ann. Thorac. Surg., February 1, 2007; 83(2): S805 - S810. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Czerny, R. Gottardi, D. Zimpfer, M. Schoder, M. Grabenwoger, J. Lammer, E. Wolner, and M. Grimm Transposition of the supraaortic branches for extended endovascular arch repair. Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., May 1, 2006; 29(5): 709 - 713. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
H. Ogino, M. Ando, H. Sasaki, and K. Minatoya Total arch replacement using a stepwise distal anastomosis for arch aneurysms with distal extension Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., February 1, 2006; 29(2): 255 - 257. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
D. Kalavrouziotis, R. J.F. Baskett, and J. A.P. Sullivan Pulmonary artery to distal bypass for surgery on the descending thoracic aorta Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery, June 1, 2005; 4(3): 170 - 172. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Di Eusanio, A. Quarti, M. D. Pierri, and G. Di Eusanio Cannulation of the brachiocephalic trunk during surgery of the thoracic aorta: a simplified technique for antegrade cerebral perfusion Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., October 1, 2004; 26(4): 831 - 833. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Czerny, D. Zimpfer, T. Fleck, W. Hofmann, M. Schoder, M. Cejna, P. Stampfl, J. Lammer, E. Wolner, and M. Grabenwoger Initial Results After Combined Repair of Aortic Arch Aneurysms by Sequential Transposition of the Supra-Aortic Branches and Consecutive Endovascular Stent-Graft Placement Ann. Thorac. Surg., October 1, 2004; 78(4): 1256 - 1260. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Di Eusanio, M. A. A. M. Schepens, W. J. Morshuis, K. M. Dossche, T. Kazui, K. Ohkura, N. Washiyama, R. Di Bartolomeo, D. Pacini, and A. Pierangeli Separate grafts or en bloc anastomosis for arch vessels reimplantation to the aortic arch Ann. Thorac. Surg., June 1, 2004; 77(6): 2021 - 2028. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. T. Strauch, D. Spielvogel, A. Lauten, J. D. Galla, S. L. Lansman, K. McMurtry, and R. B. Griepp Technical advances in total aortic arch replacement Ann. Thorac. Surg., February 1, 2004; 77(2): 581 - 590. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Czerny, T. Fleck, D. Zimpfer, M. Dworschak, W. Hofmann, D. Hutschala, D. Dunkler, M. Ehrlich, E. Wolner, and M. Grabenwoger Risk factors of mortality and permanent neurologic injury in patients undergoing ascending aortic and arch repair J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., November 1, 2003; 126(5): 1296 - 1301. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Di Eusanio, M. A.A.M. Schepens, W. J. Morshuis, K. M. Dossche, R. Di Bartolomeo, D. Pacini, A. Pierangeli, T. Kazui, K. Ohkura, and N. Washiyama Brain protection using antegrade selective cerebral perfusion: a multicenter study Ann. Thorac. Surg., October 1, 2003; 76(4): 1181 - 1189. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Czerny, T. Fleck, D. Zimpfer, J. Kilo, D. Sandner, M. Cejna, J. Lammer, E. Wolner, and M. Grabenwoger Combined repair of an aortic arch aneurysm by sequential transposition of the supra-aortic branches and endovascular stent-graft placement J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., September 1, 2003; 126(3): 916 - 918. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T. Ohata, T. Sakakibara, H. Takano, and T. Ishizaka Total arch replacement for thoracic aortic aneurysm via median sternotomy with or without left anterolateral thoracotomy Ann. Thorac. Surg., June 1, 2003; 75(6): 1792 - 1796. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Karck, A. Chavan, C. Hagl, H. Friedrich, M. Galanski, and A. Haverich The frozen elephant trunk technique: A new treatment for thoracic aortic aneurysms J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., June 1, 2003; 125(6): 1550 - 1553. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. Tominaga, K. Kurisu, Y. Ochiai, A. Nakashima, M. Masuda, S. Morita, and H. Yasui Total aortic arch replacement through the L-incision approach Ann. Thorac. Surg., January 1, 2003; 75(1): 121 - 125. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
D. Spielvogel, M. N. Mathur, and R. B. Griepp Aneurysms of the Aortic Arch Card. Surg. Adult, January 1, 2003; 2(2003): 1149 - 1168. [Full Text] |
||||
![]() |
H. Tsukui, S. Aomi, H. Tomioka, M. Nonoyama, H. Koyanagi, C. Nagasawa, and M. Nomura Arch-First Technique for Aortic Arch Operation Using Branched Graft Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann, December 1, 2002; 10(4): 318 - 321. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
D. Spielvogel, J. T. Strauch, O. P. Minanov, S. L. Lansman, and R. B. Griepp Aortic arch replacement using a trifurcated graft and selective cerebral antegrade perfusion Ann. Thorac. Surg., November 1, 2002; 74(5): S1810 - 1814. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
E. Neri, M. Massetti, L. Barabesi, G. Pula, R. Tassi, T. Toscano, E. Tucci, A. Benvenuti, G. Capannini, F. Miraldi, et al. Extrathoracic cannulation of the left common carotid artery in thoracic aorta operations through a left thoracotomy: Preliminary experience in 26 patients J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., May 1, 2002; 123(5): 901 - 910. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Y. Okita, K. Minatoya, O. Tagusari, M. Ando, K. Nagatsuka, and S. Kitamura Prospective comparative study of brain protection in total aortic arch replacement: deep hypothermic circulatory arrest with retrograde cerebral perfusion or selective antegrade cerebral perfusion Ann. Thorac. Surg., July 1, 2001; 72(1): 72 - 79. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Y. Moriyama, Y. Iguro, K. Hisatomi, G. Yotsumoto, H. Yamamoto, and R. Toda Thoracic and thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair under deep hypothermia using subclavian arterial perfusion Ann. Thorac. Surg., January 1, 2001; 71(1): 29 - 32. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
H. Ogino, Y. Ueda, T. Sugita, K. Matsuyama, K. Matsubayashi, T. Nomoto, and T. Yoshioka Aortic arch repairs through three different approaches Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., January 1, 2001; 19(1): 25 - 29. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Y. Moriyama, Y. Iguro, K. Hisatomi, R. Toda, and G. Yotsumoto Distal arch aneurysm repair using stent-grafting and ascending aorto-left axillary bypass Ann. Thorac. Surg., December 1, 2000; 70(6): 1974 - 1976. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Kuki, K. Taniguchi, T. Masai, and S. Endo A novel modification of elephant trunk technique using a single four-branched arch graft for extensive thoracic aortic aneurysm Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., August 1, 2000; 18(2): 246 - 248. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
D. Lindblom, G. Kallner, and J. van der Linden Simple method for direct cannulation of ascending aortic aneurysms Ann. Thorac. Surg., June 1, 2000; 69(6): 1964 - 1965. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. Yasuura, Y. Takagi, Y. Oohara, and Y. Takami TOTAL BODY RETROGRADE PERFUSION DURING OPERATIONS ON THE DESCENDING THORACIC AORTA J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., September 1, 1999; 118(3): 559 - 561. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Westaby Aortic dissection in Marfan's syndrome Ann. Thorac. Surg., June 1, 1999; 67(6): 1861 - 1863. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T. Katsumata and S. Westaby Operation for mid-arch coarctation Ann. Thorac. Surg., May 1, 1999; 67(5): 1386 - 1390. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Westaby, T. Katsumata, and G. Vaccari Arch and descending aortic aneurysms: influence of perfusion technique on neurological outcome Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., February 1, 1999; 15(2): 180 - 185. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Sasaguri, T. Fukuda, and Y. Hosoda Pericardial lift facilitates central cannulation in left anteroaxillary thoracotomy Ann. Thorac. Surg., February 1, 1999; 67(2): 597 - 598. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. K. Rokkas and N. T. Kouchoukos SINGLE-STAGE EXTENSIVE REPLACEMENT OF THE THORACIC AORTA: THE ARCH-FIRST TECHNIQUE J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., January 1, 1999; 117(1): 99 - 105. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T. Katsumata, A. Shinfeld, and S. Westaby Operation for chronic traumatic aortic aneurysm: when and how? Ann. Thorac. Surg., September 1, 1998; 66(3): 774 - 778. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||