deep hypothermic circulatory arrest
Also written as: DHCA — Deep Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest
Technique involving profound cooling and temporary cessation of circulation to protect organs during complex surgery.
Full Definition
A specialized technique used in complex cardiac and aortic surgery where the patient is cooled to 14-18°C and all circulation is temporarily stopped. This provides a bloodless surgical field for procedures such as aortic arch reconstruction or repair of complex congenital heart defects. The profound hypothermia provides neuroprotection and organ preservation during the arrest period, which typically should not exceed 30-45 minutes. Anesthesiologists must carefully manage the cooling and rewarming phases to prevent complications.
Usage
Usage note: Commonly abbreviated as DHCA in clinical documentation.
In Context
- "Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest was employed for 28 minutes during the aortic arch reconstruction." — Operative report
- "The patient was successfully cooled to 16°C before initiating deep hypothermic circulatory arrest." — Perfusion log