Aim: Optimal cannulation strategy for acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) surgery remains debated. Recent guidelines have advocated antegrade systemic perfusion through right axillary artery (RAX) cannulation, instead of femoral artery (FA) cannulation. However, RAX cannulation can be technically challenging and time-consuming. On the other hand, direct (ascending) aorta (DA) cannulation is a swift procedure that also ensures downstream antegrade flow. In this regard, we assessed whether DA cannulation is a safe alternative to FA cannulation.

Methods: Records of all patients undergoing ATAAD surgery between 2006-2022 at the Radboud University Medical Center were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: In total, 281 patients underwent surgery for ATAAD during the investigated period. Three patients were excluded due to death before the start of extracorporeal circulation and four because of RAX cannulation. Of the remaining 274 patients, 53% (N = 145) received primary FA and 47% (N = 129) DA cannulation, with a success rate of 98% for both approaches. Surgical mortality (combined in-hospital and 30-day) was 9.9% (7.8% DA group vs. 11.7% FA group,P = 0.271). New permanent neurological damage was seen in 10.9% vs. 6.9% (P = 0.248), respectively. In multivariate analysis, cannulation strategies were not significantly associated with surgical mortality nor postoperative new permanent neurological damage.

Conclusion: DA cannulation offers a safe and fast alternative to FA cannulation in ATAAD surgery. There were no significant differences in mortality and neurological complications. Future studies should focus on the differences between RAX and DA cannulation strategies on postoperative outcomes in ATAAD surgery.