From 1987 to February 1991, we have repaired or replaced the aortic arch in ten patients using deep hypothermic systemic circulatory arrest with continuous retrograde cerebral perfusion (CRCP). CRCP can be implemented using the bypass connecting the arterial and venous lines of the extracorporeal circuit to reverse the flow into the superior vena cava cannula after induction of circulatory arrest. CRCP flow required to maintain an internal jugular vein pressure of 20 mmHg ranged from 100 to 500 ml/min. After completion of suturing of the aortic arch graft, air is evacuated retrogradely from the open arch vessels prior to reestablishing the usual arterial return. Two patients died, one from sepsis and the other from liver cirrhosis 1 month postoperatively. CRCP times ranged from 11 to 56 min, and minimal nasopharyngeal temperatures ranged from 16 degrees to 18 degrees C. The difference in oxygen content between the perfused blood and the blood draining from the arch vessels during CRCP most likely reflected the steady-state metabolism of the brain during the deep hypothermic state. This technique offers advantages including the need for dissecting and clamping the arch branches, providing sufficient metabolic support to the brain during deep hypothermia, and eliminating embolism of particulate debris from the aortic arch.

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