ABSTRACT
Hazim ]. Safi, Charles C. Miller III, Samer Koussayer Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAA) involves the portion of the aorta
located in the chest and abdomen from the left subclavian artery to the iliac bifurca tion. Because the many aspects of aneurysm graft replacement can affect multiple organs with potentially severe side effects, the operation has always been a formi dable endeavor. Surgeons first performed successful TAA graft replacement half a century ago and since then morbidity rates have steadily declined, but patients remain at risk for postoperative complications of the lungs, heart or kidneys. Injury to the spinal cord may be the most dreaded complication, occurring in 13% of nondissecting TAA patients. Ischemia of critical intercostal arteries, which flow to the spinal cord from the upper segment of thoracoabdominal aorta, for as little as 8 minutes can bring about neurologic damage.
