One known risk of pediatric heart surgery is the possibility for brain damage. In may cases this problem results from a lack of oxygen rick blood flow to the brain during surgery. Recently, a technique has been developed that allows for adequate blood flow to the brain during surgery, thus decreasing the chances that brain injury will occur as a result of heart surgery. This technique, called selective cerebral perfusion, is not the technique of choice for surgeons operating to repair the aortic arch, but it is sometimes used. The aorta is the main artery that comes out of the heart and carries oxygen rick blood to the body. This large vessel is connected to the heart on one end and then extends upward and forms an arch. At the top of the arch, three vessels branch off and provide the upper part of the body, including the brain, with blood.