• Hitoshi Ogino, Motomi Ando, Hiroaki Sasaki, and Kenji Minatoya.
• Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, National Cardiovascular Center, 5-7-1 Fujishirodai, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Japan. hogino@hsp.ncvc.go.jp
• Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2006 Feb 1; 29 (2): 255-7.

AbstractA total of 120 patients having arch to distal arch aneurysm with downstream extension underwent total arch replacement, with individual arch-vessel reconstruction through median sternotomy using a novel "stepwise" distal aortic anastomosis. Cardiopulmonary bypass was established by cannulating the right axillary artery and the ascending aorta or femoral artery. Hypothermia was at 22-28 degrees C. Through the aneurysm, the descending aorta was divided. Distal anastomosis using the stepwise technique was performed; a tube graft of length 7-12 cm was inserted into the descending aorta and anastomosed by running suture. The distal end of the inserted graft was extracted, and a further four-branched arch graft was joined to it. Selective cerebral perfusion was used for cerebral safety during arch repair. There were three hospital deaths (2.5%). Two patients (1.7%) developed permanent neurological dysfunction and three patients (2.5%) suffered transient cerebral deficits. Three patients (2.5%) required reentry for postoperative bleeding although in none of them bleeding was from the distal anastomosis site with the stepwise technique. Stepwise anastomosis is a useful and secure alternative for distal anastomosis in total arch replacement for arch to distal arch aneurysms with distal extension.

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