Antegrade and retrograde arterial perfusion strategy in minimally invasive mitral-valve surgery: a propensity score analysis on 1280 patients

Abstract

Minimally invasive mitral valve procedure can be performed with low morbidity and mortality. The use of retrograde perfusion is associated with a higher incidence of neurological complications and aortic dissection when compared with antegrade perfusion. Central aortic cannulation allows the avoidance of complications associated with retrograde perfusion while extending the suitability of minimally invasive mitral procedures also to those patients who have an absolute contraindication to femoral artery cannulation.