Prosthetic aortic arch replacement. A new experimental technique.

An experimental method for rapid replacement of the transverse aortic arch is presented. Branched intraluminal prostheses were fashioned of varying sizes containing ascending and descending aortic limbs and branches for the brachiocephalic and subclavian vessels. Rigid rings were sewn into the ends to allow rapid fixation of the grafts using extraluminal ligatures. In 31 dogs, arch prostheses were inserted using inflow occlusion at normothermia. Twenty-seven animals successfully underwent aortic arch replacement during periods of circulatory arrest from 2.5 to 6.5 minutes. One animal was electively sacrificed 3 years after arch replacement. Various sized aortic arch prostheses manufactured for clinical use would have the potential advantages of technical simplicity of insertion and reduced cardiopulmonary bypass. Alternatively, varying sized tubular grafts for the brachiocephalic branches could be attached to the currently available tubular intraluminal grafts.