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  • Title: Improved spinal cord perfusion during thoracoabdominal aortic repair.
    Author: Weigang E, Hartert M, von Samson P, Pechstein U, Genstorfer J, Pitzer K, Zentner J, Beyersdorf F.
    Journal: Thorac Cardiovasc Surg; 2005 Apr; 53(2):69-73. PubMed ID: 15786003.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVES: The study's aim is to evaluate whether intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring with transcranial motor-evoked potentials (tcMEP) permits early recognition of neuronal lesions, thus making interventions to prevent irreversible spinal cord damage possible. MATERIAL AND METHODS: TcMEP monitoring was carried out in twelve patients (mean age 60 years) during open surgical thoracoabdominal aortic replacement. Current approaches for corrective, spinal cord-protecting interventions consist of: raising distal perfusion by increasing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) flow, catecholamine application, reducing central venous pressure, reimplantation of segmental arteries, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage. RESULTS: Nine patients exhibited loss of tcMEP after segmental aorta clamping. In five patients we observed a recovery of tcMEP through counteractive measures. Three patients died intraoperatively, one patient presented with postoperative paraplegia and loss of tcMEP. CONCLUSION: TcMEP loss is associated with spinal cord ischaemia, causing postoperative paraplegia. TcMEP monitoring is an excellent method to detect spinal cord ischaemia at an early stage.
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