Initial experience of an arterial shunt for bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion during hypothermic circulatory arrest

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to describe an intravessel cerebral shunt that allows perfusion of both cerebral hemispheres through the axillary artery. Description. The cerebral shunt is a 10-cm to 12-cm long cannula with a lumen for blood perfusion and two balloons, one at each distal end. The proximal ballon is adapted for retaining the proximal end of the catheter in the innominate artery; the second inflatable balloon is adapted for retaining the distal end of the catheter into the left common carotid artery. Evaluation. Three consecutive patients received bilateral brain perfusion through the right axillary artery with the use of this cerebral shunt. Conclusions. The cerebral shunt allowed bilateral cerebral perfusion as verified with cerebral oxymetry in the absence of any evident neurologic dysfunction.