What Is the Efficacy of Bilateral Antegrade Cerebral Perfusion in Cerebral Protection?

Acute type A aortic dissection is among the many types of catastrophic cardiovascular emergencies. The development of serious morbidity, especially neurological complications after the operation, remains a huge threat. We aimed to present comparatively the results of using unilateral or bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion to minimize these threats and to demonstrate the postoperative effects of antegrade cerebral perfusion choices. The 147 patients who underwent emergency acute type A aortic dissection surgery between January 2018 and January 2023 were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups: those who underwent unilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion (Group 1) (n = 89) and those who underwent bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion (Group 2) (n = 59). Baseline demographics, and preoperative, operative, and postoperative data of patients were compared statistically. When the analyses of baseline demographics, and preoperative and operative data were evaluated, no significant difference was found between the groups. In addition, when comparing postoperative results, no statistical difference was found between the groups except for new-onset permanent neurological complications. The rate of postoperative new-onset permanent neurological complications was found to be 17.9% in group 1, where unilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion was applied, and 5.1% in group 2, where bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion was applied, and this comparison was statistically significant. The competence of the Willis Polygon should not be relied upon without any evidence, and we believe that bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion can be performed with a technique that does not compromise surgical comfort.