Kyobu geka. The Japanese journal of thoracic surgery
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Between October, 1991, and October, 2001, 60 patients underwent aortic arch replacement with or without an aortic arch branched graft for atherosclerotic arch aneurysms. Their mean age was 70.1 +/- 8.6 years. Eight (13.3%) patients were operated on an emergency basis because of rupture or impending rupture of aneurysms. ⋯ A subsequent aortic operation was necessary for the treatment of an aortic abnormality distal to the arch in 6 patients. Reoperation free rate was 85.2 +/- 5.8%. In conclusion, cerebral protective effect of antegrade selective cerebral perfusion and total arch replacement with an aortic arch branched graft could substantially reduce in-hospital mortality and postoperative neurologic dysfunction and a satisfactory long-term results could be obtain in patients with atherosclerotic arch aneurysms.