[Long-term results of aortic arch replacement using combination of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and retrograde cerebral perfusion; comparison of result for atherosclerotic aneurysm and aortic dissection].

Between 1992 and 2001, 73 patients with aortic arch lesion underwent surgical treatment. The aneurysm was characterized by atherosclerosis in 54 patients (TAA) and by aortic dissection in 19 patients (DAA). All patients received graft replacement under combination of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and retrograde cerebral perfusion. The hospital mortality rate for all patients was 15.6%. The follow-up period of 61 survival patients ranged from 2 to 90 months (mean 33.2 months). The actuarial survival rate was 93.2%, 83.5%, and 79.7% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. No significant difference was noted between TAA and DAA in the actuarial survival rate. The freedom from vascular complication was 97.9%, 95.8%, and 95.8% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. The rate was significant higher in the patients of DAA than in those of TAA (TAA: 100%, 100%, and 100%, DAA: 90.9%, 81.8%, and 81.8%). The freedom from cardiac complication was 96.4%, 89.7%, and 84.1% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. There was no significant difference between TAA and DAA. The freedom from cerebrovascular complication was 100%, 97.6%, and 83.4% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. No significant difference was noted between TAA and DAA. The late result of surgical treatment for the aortic arch using combination of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and retrograde cerebral perfusion was satisfied. The long-term survival rate was higher in TAA patient than in DAA one. The possibility remained that fatal vascular complication affected the long-term survival rate.