Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest in Median Sternotomy Hemorrhage During Redo Aortic Surgery

INTRODUCTION: This study summarizes the clinical data of patients who developed sternotomy hemorrhage during redo aortic surgery and analyzes the clinical experience of using hypothermic circulatory arrest. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients who developed sternotomy hemorrhage during redo aortic surgery from May 2018 to August 2021. General anesthesia with single-lumen tracheal intubation was used. Femoral artery, vein, and superior vena cava cannulation were used if cardiopulmonary bypass was required according to the situation, and right superior vein or apical cannulation was selected for left heart drainage. RESULTS: A total of 11 patients were enrolled in this study, comprising nine males and two females, with an average age of 44.3±16.7 years. All cases were successfully completed without cerebrovascular complications or paraplegia. Two patients died during hospitalization, two patients died during the follow-up after discharge, and the remaining patients are recovering well. CONCLUSION: The femoral-femoral bypass with hypothermic circulatory arrest technique is a safe and reliable method to use in cases of sternotomy hemorrhage during redo aortic surgery.