Methods: Femoral artery cannulation (group F) was used in 88 (51.2%) and axillary artery cannulation (group A) was used in 84 (48.8%) of 192 patients. All patients had their aortic roots or one segment of their aortae replaced and/or repaired.

Results: The mean degree of hypothermia, mean duration of intensive care and length of hospital stay were lower in group A patients. The mortality rate was 8% (n=7) in group F and 3.6% (n=3) in group A (p=0.330). Seven patients (8%) in group F and 10 patients (11.9%) in group A had neurologic complications following surgery. Postoperative incidences of bleeding, pulmonary complications and infections were higher in group F. Logistic regression analysis showed that previous cardiac surgery and postoperative neurologic complications were independently related to the postoperative mortality.

Conclusion: Axillary artery cannulation is useful to decrease the operation time and use lesser degrees of hypothermia. Patients have less intensive care and hospital stays and also pulmonary and infectious complications and postoperative bleeding are reduced.