Selective Cerebral Perfusion with the Open Proximal Technique during Descending Thoracic or Thoracoabdominal Aortic Repair: An Option of Choice to Reduce Neurologic Complications

Purpose: Selective cerebral perfusion with the open proximal technique for thoracoabdominal aortic repair has not been conclusively validated because of its procedural complexity and unreliability. We report the clinical outcomes, particularly the cerebroneurological complications, of an open proximal procedure using selective cerebral perfusion.Methods: A retrospective chart review identified 30 patients between 2007 and 2015 who underwent aortic repair through left lateral thoracotomy with selective cerebral perfusion, established through endoluminal brachiocephalic and left carotid artery and retrograde left axillary artery.Results: The mean durations of the open proximal procedure and cerebral ischemia (the duration of the open proximal procedure minus the duration of selective cerebral perfusion) were 110.3 ± 40.1 min and 24.8 ± 13.0 min, respectively. There were two cases (7%) of permanent neurologic dysfunction (PND) but no in-hospital deaths. Multivariate analysis identified the duration of cerebral ischemia as an independent risk factor for neurologic complications including temporary neurologic dysfunction (TND; odds ratio (OR): 1.13; p = 0.007), but no correlation was found between selective cerebral perfusion duration and neurologic complications.Conclusion: Despite the relatively long duration of the open proximal procedure, selective cerebral perfusion has a potential to protect against cerebral complications during thoracic aortic repair through a left lateral thoracotomy.