The Annals of thoracic surgery
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Circulatory arrest during profound hypothermia is a safe technique of cardiac surgery when used in selected instances. Despite its proven safety, the degree of cerebral protection offered by this technique is still poorly defined. Ten dogs anesthetized with Pentothal (thiopental sodium) were surface cooled to 32 degrees C. ⋯ The fixed brains were examined by a neuropathologist. No gross or microscopic evidence of cerebral hypoxia was seen in any of the animals. We conclude that one hour of circulatory arrest under profoundly hypothermic temperatures produces no detectable neurological changes or histological evidence of cerebral hypoxia.