Neurologic Deficit Following Aortic Arch Replacement: The Influence of the Aortic Atherosclerosis

Abstract Background Postoperative neurologic deficits are associated with significant morbidity in aortic arch replacement. Methods A group of 198 consecutive patients undergoing isolated total aortic arch replacement using antegrade cerebral perfusion were analyzed for the risk factors of neurologic deficit. Using computed tomography, atherothrombotic lesions (defined as extensive intimal thickening exceeding 4 mm) were identified in the proximal aorta (the ascending aorta or aortic arch) in 26.2% of cases and in the distal aorta in 34.9% of cases. Results Permanent neurologic deficits occurred in 11.1% (including non-disabling stroke confirmed by imaging) and transient neurologic deficits in 8.1% of patients. A univariate analysis identified proximal atherothrombotic aorta (p=0.0057), distal atherothrombotic aorta (p=0.032), and retrograde systemic perfusion from the femoral artery in the presence of distal atherothrombotic aorta (p=0.0022) as risk factors for neurologic deficits. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified atherothrombotic proximal aorta (odds ratio, 2.4, p=0.033) as the independent risk factor. The presence of carotid stenosis did not affect the rate of neurologic deficit. Intracranial hemorrhagic lesions were found in 23% of permanent neurologic deficit cases. Conclusions Atherothrombotic lesions found by objectively graded computed tomography were predictors of neurologic deficit. Retrograde perfusion in the presence of a distal atherothrombotic lesion should be avoided whenever possible. S trategies based on the full assessment of the whole aortic morphology appear to be mandatory. Anticoagulation therapy should be performed very carefully to avoid intracranial hemorrhagic changes.