Antegrade selective cerebral perfusion in thoracic aorta surgery: safety of moderate hypothermia.

Objective: Although antegrade selective cerebral perfusion (ASCP) has been demonstrated to be the best method of protection of brain ischemia during aortic arch surgery, there is no consensus regarding optimal temperature during ASCP. The study analyzed the outcomes of aortic surgery using ASCP at different degree of systemic hypothermia.

Methods: Between November 1996 and November 2005, 305 patients underwent thoracic aorta surgery using ASCP.