Association of Cerebral Oximetry With Brain Ischemic Lesions and Functional Outcomes in Arch Repair.

Background: This exploratory analysis of the randomized controlled Aortic Surgery Cerebral Protection Evaluation CardioLink-3 trial sought to determine if cerebral oximetry desaturation during elective proximal arch repair is associated with detrimental postoperative neuroradiologic and neurofunctional outcomes.

Methods: Cerebral oximetry and pre- and postoperative brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 101 participants were analyzed. Oximetry data from the trial allocation groups were compared; the relationships between cerebral oximetry indices and new ischemic cerebral lesions on magnetic resonance imaging and neurologic outcomes were also evaluated.

Results: Total cerebral desaturation events (>20% decrease from baseline) on the left (median [interquartile range], 1 [1-3] vs 1.5 [0.5-3] with innominate and axillary cannulation; P = .80) were comparable to those on the right (1 [1-3] vs 1 [0-3]; P = .75) as were the total area under the curve of desaturation (left, P = .61; right, P = .84). Seventy patients had new ischemic lesions, among whom 36 had new severe lesions. Total desaturation events and area under the curve of desaturation were similar in patients with and without new ischemic lesions or severe lesions. The nadir regional cerebral saturation was lower on the left (49% [41-56]) than the right (53% [44-59]); left desaturation episodes were associated with lower postoperative cognitive test scores (P = .004).

Conclusions: The innominate and axillary cannulation techniques for elective proximal arch repair with unilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion were associated with similar occurrences of cerebral oximetry desaturation and neither were associated with new ischemic lesions.