Antegrade cerebral perfusion via the right subclavian artery during open distal arch or proximal descending aortic repair from left thoracotomy

Abstract

In the current endovascular era, open surgery through left posterolateral thoracotomy with moderate to deep hypothermic circulatory arrest remains an alternative for treating chronic distal arch or proximal descending aortic diseases, allowing cardiovascular surgeons to definitively repair the aorta in a single stage. When utilizing this approach, this report illustrates an alternative surgical technique for antegrade body perfusion during cooling, antegrade selective cerebral perfusion and rewarming, through a prosthetic graft on the right subclavian artery. This report shows the safety and feasibility of this technique during open distal arch and/or proximal descending aortic surgery through left posterolateral thoracotomy, after shifting the patient from a supine to the right lateral decubitus position.

Keywords: Antegrade selective cerebral perfusion; Cerebral protection; Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest; Left posterolateral thoracotomy; Right subclavian artery.