Successful repair of iatrogenic acute aortic dissection with cerebral malperfusion.

We describe the successful treatment of a patient with iatrogenic acute aortic dissection including cerebral malperfusion as a complication of coronary artery surgery. After beginning cardiopulmonary bypass, a retrograde ascending aortic dissection associated with cerebral malperfusion was recognized. Systemic circulation was immediately arrested at 31 degrees C. After aortotomy, hypothermic selective antegrade cerebral perfusion was established. Replacement of the ascending aorta with coronary artery bypass grafting was performed without neurologic complications.