Objectives: To determine indications and results of axillary artery cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass.Methods: From January 2005 through December 2008, axillary artery cannulation was used in 48 patients. Mean age was 62 ±11 years and 33 patients (69%) were males. Axillary artery was approached by infraclavicular incision and the cannula introduced in a 8 millimeter Dacron side graft.Results: Indications were calcified aorta (N=18, 38%), aortic dissection (N=15, 31%), ascending and/or aortic arch aneurysm (N=11, 23%) and prior to reoperative median sternotomy (N=4, 8%). Changes in intraoperative planning occurred most often in patients with calcified aorta (100% versus 10%, P<.0001) than in patients with other indications, which follow their preoperative plan. Cardiopulmonary bypass (deep hypothermic circulatory arrest in 55% and conventional in the remaining) was uneventfully conducted in all patients but one (success rate 98%) due to undiagnosed inominate artery stenosis. Local complication was lymphatic drainage in three patients (6.2%). Bras Cir Cardiovasc 2009; 24(3): 404-408
Conclusions
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