Minimizing circulatory arrest by using antegrade cerebral perfusion for aortic arch reconstruction in infants causes fewer postoperative adverse events.

BACKGROUND

Because deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) carries a risk for neurological damage, antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) is used increasingly for aortic arch surgery in infants. We assessed the short-term effects of minimal DHCA (< 30 minutes) versus prolonged DHCA (> 30 minutes) during biventricular aortic arch reconstruction.

METHODS

Twenty-six infants (< 3 months of age) who had undergone aortic arch reconstruction were retrospectively analyzed: 15 infants without DHCA (group A) and 11 infants with DHCA (group B). Group B was further divided into < 30 minutes DHCA (group B1, n = 6), and >or= 30 minutes DHCA (group B2, n = 5). Additionally, minimal DHCA (group A + B1) was compared to prolonged DHCA (group B2).

RESULTS

In the minimal DHCA group (A + B1), 29 % of the patients had a postoperative adverse event, compared to 80 % in the prolonged DHCA group (B2) ( P < 0.05). Average length of stay in hospital was 25 days shorter for the minimal DHCA group (15 days versus 40 days, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Minimal DHCA results in fewer adverse events and a reduced length of stay, compared with prolonged DHCA. Therefore, during aortic arch surgery in infants, DHCA should be minimized by using antegrade cerebral perfusion.