Norwood operation without circulatory arrest: A new surgical technique

Circulatory arrest (CA) is associated with potential neurologic injury. We have developed a new surgical technique to eliminate CA during the Norwood operation. A modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (BTS) was fully constructed bef ore cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass. The aortic cannula was inserted in the patent ductus arteriosus to allow systemic cold perfusion. When dee p hypothermia was reached, the aortic cannula was redirected into the pulmo nary artery (PA) confluence. Both cerebral and systemic perfusion were main tained through the right PA and BTS into the innominate artery. (Ann Thorac Surg 2000;70:1730-3) (C) 2000 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.