Reply from the authors: The optimum arterial cannulation site during open aortic arch repair: Is it the axillary artery?

Thank you for thoughtful comments. I agree with your comment that the possibility of bias exists from combined axillary artery (AA) cannulation. We carried out an analysis comparison outcome of pure AA and non-AA groups. Pure AA (n  = 177) and non-AA (n = 159) groups were reviewed. Results revealed that the AA group showed a lower rate in early stroke (2.8% vs 8.2%, P = .03), as well as lower trends in hospital (5.5% vs 10.1%, P = .09) and 30-day mortality rate (4.5% vs 9.4%, P = .08). In matching data (pairs = 87) , the AA group also showed a lower rate in early stroke (2.3% vs 8.2%, P = .04).
Source: The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery - Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Tags: Adult: Aorta: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research