Descending Aortic Replacement with Third-Part Left Axillary Artery Graft Perfusion

We introduce a unique perfusion method for open descending aortic repair through a left thoracotomy. Perfusion from femoral artery cannulation is generally adopted in descending aortic replacement surgery. However, in cases with shaggy or partially thrombosed chronic aortic dissection, retrograde perfusion alone has a high risk of embolization and alternative perfusion methods should be considered. Our perfusion method from the third part of the left axillary artery graft is safe, simple, and useful for avoiding postoperative cerebral complications. In the present study, we report the advantages and challenges of this graft-interposed perfusion via the distal left axillary artery for descending aortic replacement.