Objectives: Correction of ascending aorta and proximal aortic arch pathology with numerous surgical techniques having been proposed over the years remains a surgical challenge. This study was undertaken to identify risk factors influencing outcome after aortic arch operations, requiring deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA).
Methods: Between 1993 and 2010, 207 consecutive patients were operated for ascending aorta and proximal arch correction with the use of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest with retrograde cerebral perfusion. All patients were followed up with regular out-patient clinics, transthoracic echocardiography and, when required, chest computed tomography.
Results: There were 102 (49.3%) emergencies (acute type A dissection) and 105 (50.7%) elective cases. Mean age: 63.5 ± 12 years. Mean circulatory arrest time was 25.4 ± 13 min. Unadjusted analysis of factors associated with 30-day mortality revealed emergency status, preoperative hemodynamic instability, acute dissection, reoperation, increased circulatory arrest time, postoperative bleeding, postoperative creatinine levels and presence of neurological dysfunction. Multi-adjusted analysis revealed duration of circulatory arrest as the only and main factor related to death. Thirty-day mortality was 2.4% for the elective and 7.2% for emergencies cases. Survival during long-term follow-up was 93, 82 and 53% at 1, 5 and 10 years, respectively.
Conclusions: Ascending aorta and proximal aortic arch replacement with brief duration of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest combined with retrograde cerebral perfusion is a safe method with acceptable short- and long-tem results.