Ascending aorta and aortic arch replacement combined with antegrade stent grafting of the descending thoracic aorta represents an emerging hybrid surgical approach for complex and extensive thoracic aortic disease. We present a case of a patient at low risk for spinal cord ischemia who underwent hybrid thoracic aortic surgery (aortic arch replacement and E-vita prosthesis implantation) and developed a spinal cord injury (SCI) after the intervention. Treatment aimed at increasing spinal cord perfusion pressure with the aid of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage was effective in recovering neuromuscular function.
© 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.