AXILLARY ARTERY CANNULATION DURING REPAIR OF ASCENDING AORTIC ANEURYSM OR TYPE I AORTIC DISSECTION

Axillary artery cannulation during replacement of ascending-arcus aorta is increasingly practiced. Four patients (2 females, 2 males, mean age 59.5±3.1) underwent right axillary artery cannulation during the repair of ascending aortic aneurysm (n=3) and Type I aortic dissenction (n=1). Cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermiccirculatory arrest were utilized during the operations. Patients were discharged at 14±2.5 days postoperatively. No brachial plexsus injury or axillary artery thrombosis was observed at follow-up. At 3 to 6 monhts follow-up, Doppler examination revealed blood flow pattern and anatomy of the axillary artery as normal. Axillary artery cannulation during replacement of ascending-arcus aorta can be a safa alternative to the cannulation of femoral artery or ascending aorta.