Does arterial cannulation site for aortic dissection repair impact surgical outcomes?

Background: Establishing cardiopulmonary bypass remains critical to the successful repair of an acute type A aortic dissection. A recent trend away from femoral arterial cannulation has occurred in part due to concerns of stroke risk from retrograde perfusion to the brain. The purpose of this study was to determine if arterial cannulation site for aortic dissection repair impacts surgical outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School from January 1st, 2011 to March 8th, 2021. Of the 135 patients included, 98 (73%) underwent femoral arterial cannulation, 21 (16%) axillary artery cannulation, and 16 (12%) direct aorta cannulation. The study variables included demographic data, cannulation site, and complications.

Results: The mean age was 63.6±14 years, with no difference between the femoral, axillary, and direct cannulation groups. Eighty-four patients (62%) were male, with similar percentages amongst each group. The rates of bleeding, stroke, and mortality specifically due to the arterial cannulation did not significantly differ based on cannulation site. None of the patients had strokes that were attributable to cannulation type. No patients died as a direct complication of arterial access. The overall in-hospital mortality was 22%, similar between groups.

Conclusions: This study found no statistically significant different in rates of stroke or other complications based on cannulation site. Femoral arterial cannulation thus remains a safe and efficient choice for arterial cannulation in the repair of acute type A aortic dissection.