Retrograde replacement of the thoracic aorta.
A technique is described for replacement of the entire thoracic aorta. In this "pull-through" technique, which utilizes hypothermic circulatory arrest, the graft is implanted in a retrograde fashion, thus providing protection for the spinal cord and brain and avoiding injury to the vagus and phrenic nerves.
Cooley
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DA
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, St. Luke's Hospital, Houston 77030, USA.
D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000601:surgery*; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000601:surgery*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply; D006324:Heart Arrest, Induced; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D010791:Phrenic Nerve / Q000293:injuries; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply; D013536:Suture Techniques; D061223:Vagus Nerve Injuries