Neonatal aortic arch surgery is associated with neurological morbidity of varying severity which is detected and potentially limited through neuroprotective strategies. We conducted a survey of healthcare professionals at all neonatal cardiac surgery centres in the United Kingdom and Ireland to determine current intraoperative neuromonitoring and neuroprotection practice.

An online cross-sectional survey was sent to congenital cardiac surgeons, cardiac anaesthetists, clinical perfusion scientists, and clinical neurophysiology professionals in all 12 level 1 paediatric cardiac surgical centres. Information was sought on their current clinical practice in neonates undergoing aortic arch surgery, including pharmacological management, cardiopulmonary bypass, acid-base and blood pressure management, neuromonitoring, and hypothermic circulatory arrest, and the feasibility and willingness to participate in a future clinical trial of neuroprotective strategies in these patients.

We received 55 (34%) responses, including representatives of all four clinical disciplines in 9 (75%) centres. Cooling to a nasopharyngeal temperature of 18°C before hypothermic circulatory arrest, selective antegrade cerebral perfusion, and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) monitoring are common practice, whereas pharmacology, acid-base management, blood pressure and flow parameters, and NIRS-based interventions vary. In 7 (58%) centres, respondents from all four disciplines were willing to consider participation in a future clinical trial on neuroprotection.

Aspects of intraoperative neuroprotection and neuromonitoring are common across centres, although key areas of practice differ between practitioners and institutions. Most respondents were willing to participate in a future multi-centre clinical trial, which suggests clinical equipoise in the optimal strategy to protect the neonatal brain during aortic arch surgery.