Cerebral protection during surgery of the thoracic aorta: a review
Di Eusanio, M.; Di Eusanio, G.
Italian Heart Journal Official Journal of the Italian Federation of Cardiology 5(12): 883-891
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 1129-471X PMID: 15706992 Document Number: 573186
Operations on the aortic arch remain a major challenge for the cardiac surgeon and neurologic injuries represent the most feared complication. During the last decades, different cerebral protection techniques, including deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, and retrograde and antegrade cerebral perfusion have been introduced into clinical practice to reduce the incidence of such complications. All three methods present advantages and disadvantages. In this review, the theoretical impact of the current methods of brain protection is reported and discussed.