title: Distal leg protection for peripheral cannulation in minimally invasive and totally endoscopic cardiac surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The introduction of minimally invasive and totally endoscopic cardiac surgery is associated with increased use of femoral artery perfusion. Selective antegrade perfusion of the cannulated artery may be a helpful strategy to avoid ischemia of the lower extremities. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of selective distal vessel perfusion under continuous monitoring of oxygen saturation using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients (n = 236) who underwent peripheral cannulation for remote access perfusion and endoaortic balloon occlusion for minimally invasive or totally endoscopic cardiac surgery were prospectively analyzed. Perioperative complications, creatine kinase levels, and major complications at the long-term follow-up were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Minor or major complications of leg perfusion occurred in only 4 patients (1.7%); the complications in 2 of the patients were associated with an additional arterial cannula placed at the contralateral side. NIRS monitoring revealed diminished perfusion in 5 cases. Even patients with complications associated with remote-access perfusion had a rapid recovery, and no residual peripheral vascular complication was detected during follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of antegrade selective perfusion of the lower extremity at the side of peripheral cannulation for port-access perfusion and endoaortic occlusion is of utmost importance in patients undergoing minimally invasive or endoscopic cardiac surgery. NIRS monitoring has proved to be very helpful for the diagnosis of impaired leg perfusion.
authors: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria. Nikolaos.bonaros@i-med.ac.at
authors: Nikolaos
authors: N
authors: Bonaros
authors: Dominik
authors: D
authors: Wiedemann
authors: Johann
authors: J
authors: Nagiller
authors: Gudrun
authors: G
authors: Feuchtner
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Kolbitsch
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Kaufmann
authors: Johannes
authors: J
authors: Bonatti
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Schachner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult