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Current strategies for spinal cord protection during thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair

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Abstract

Surgery for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms remains challenging, with high mortality and morbidity rates despite overall improvements in the outcome of aortic surgery. Paraplegia and paraparesis remain devastating complications that severely restrict the chance of survival as well as the postoperative quality of life. Preventive measures vary considerably because the causes of spinal cord insufficiency are multifactorial. Here, we review measures to prevent paraplegia/paraparesis arising after surgery for thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.

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  1. Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan

    Hideyuki Shimizu & Ryohei Yozu

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  1. Hideyuki Shimizu
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Correspondence to Hideyuki Shimizu.

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Shimizu, H., Yozu, R. Current strategies for spinal cord protection during thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 59, 155–163 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11748-010-0705-9

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