Comparison of outcomes between axillary and femoral artery cannulations in aortic arch surgery

  AIM  To compare the outcomes between axillary and femoral artery cannulations in adult aortic arch surgery.

  METHODS  A total of 58 patients undergoing the surgery of aortic arch between January 2015 and June 2016 were divided into axillary group (n=31), in which the right axillary artery was cannulated and femoral group (n=27) in which the femoral artery was cannulated. We recorded and compared between the two groups the patients’ general conditions, cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic clamping time, cerebral perfusion time, postoperative recovery time, tracheal intubation time, time stay in intensive ca reunit (ICU), postoperative heartfunction recovery, cannulation-related complications and postoperative cognitive dysfunction.

  RESULTS  Three patients died out of the 58 patients and the other patients were cured and discharged from the hospital. There were no differences between the two groups in aortic clamping time (113±18 vs. 117±16)min, cerebral perfusion time (25±6 vs. 25±6)min, cardiopulmonary bypass time (266±24 vs. 267±24)min, postoperative recovery time (37±26 vs. 37±26)h, intubation time (64±6 vs. 63±7)h, stay time in ICU (8±2 vs. 8±2)d, postoperative stoke, neurologic outcomes and cannulation-related complications.

  CONCLUSION  There is no difference in postoperative neurologic outcomes and cannulation-related complications between axillary and femoral artery cannulations in aortic arch surgery. The cannulation site should be carefully chosen on a case-by-case basis and measures should also be taken to prevent intraoperative malperfusion syndrome.