Brain and spinal cord protection during aortic surgery.

In our experience, single-stage open repair of descending thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms with concurrent aortic arch disease is technically feasible via a high left thoracotomy or a thoracolaparotomy. Distal aortic and antegrade brain perfusion, in combination with brain and spinal cord protection, seems to contribute to adequate surgical and neurological outcome.