Protection from postischemic spinal cord injury by perfusion cooling of the epidural space during most or all of a descending thoracic or thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair.
OBJECTIVE
It is reported that hypothermia has some protective effect against ischemia of the spinal cord during thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair. However, it has not been elucidated clinically whether regional spinal cord hypothermia by epidural perfusion cooling is effective and safe. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect and safety of perfusion cooling of the epidural space during most or all of descending thoracic or thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair.


METHODS
From January 1998 to December 2007, a total of 102 patients with a mean age of 61 years underwent replacement of most or all of the descending thoracic aorta or thoracoabdominal aorta with the aid of mild hypothermia via epidural perfusion cooling and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage. Risk factors for spinal cord injury and hospital death were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses. The actuarial survival rate was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method.


RESULTS
The mean lowest CSF temperature was 23.3 degrees C during epidural perfusion cooling. The mean temperature difference between the nasopharynx and CSF was 8.4 degrees C. The incidence of spinal cord injury was 3.9% (4/102), and that of hospital death was 5.9% (6/102). There was no significant risk factor associated with spinal cord injury. Type III aneurysm and postoperative cerebrovascular accident, respiratory failure, liver failure, and infection were predictors of hospital death. The actuarial survival rates at 3 and 5 years were 82.1% and 75.9%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Epidural perfusion cooling is a safe method to employ in clinical situations. Our contemporary management strategies enabled patients to undergo thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair with excellent early and late survival and acceptable morbidity.
Tabayashi
Koichi
K
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, 1-1 Seiryo-cho, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan. ktaba@mail.tains.tohoku.ac.jp
Saiki
Yoshikatsu
Y
Kokubo
Hiroaki
H
Takahashi
Goro
G
Akasaka
Junetsu
J
Yoshida
Seijirou
S
Hata
Masaki
M
Niibori
Koki
K
Miura
Makoto
M
Konnai
Toshiaki
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000401:mortality; D004824:Epidural Space; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010477:Perfusion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D020760:Spinal Cord Ischemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
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