Moderate Versus Deep Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest for Elective Aortic Transverse Hemiarch Reconstruction

The authors conducted a retrospective review of two concurrent groups undergoing elective aortic transverse hemiarch reconstruction:  Group DHCA underwent deep hypothermic circulatory arrest with retrograde cerebral perfusion; group MHCA underwent moderate hypothermic (>25 degrees C) circulatory arrest with antegrade cerebral perfusion.  A total of 376 patients were included in their study.  All preoperative demographics were similar, except the MHCA patients were significantly older.  Intraoperative CPB and X-clamp times were significantly shorter for the MHCA group, and postoperative outcomes for both groups were excellent and equivalent.  Hence–at least according to this retrospective single-center study–moderate hypothermia along with antegrade cerebral perfusion may be a viable strategy for patients undergoing elective hemiarch surgery.