Comparative Study of Antegrade Versus Retrograde Cerebral Perfusion in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection: A Prospective Study

This prospective study investigated the comparison of effectiveness of antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) and retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP) in providing cerebral protection during the surgical treatment of acute Type A aortic dissection (TAAD). Acute type A aortic dissection presents an aortic tear at its ascending portion, posing considerable risk with high morbidity and mortality incidence, especially from neurological insults. In total, 116 patients with acute type A aortic dissection were randomly assigned to undergo surgical intervention with either ACP through axillary artery cannulation or RCP through superior vena cava cannula placed during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Primary objectives focused on measuring and comparing the postoperative neurological complication rates associated with transient neurological deficits (TND) and permanent neurological deficits (PND). Secondary outcomes of interest included the duration of mechanical ventilation, length of stay in the ICU and hospital, and mortality.