The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 32, 512-514, Copyright © 1981 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Direct ascending aortic insertion of the "percutaneous" intraaortic balloon catheter in the open chest: advantages and precautions
LI Bonchek and GN Olinger
When intraoperative balloon pump support is needed for patients who cannot
be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass and when the balloon catheter will
not pass retrograde into the aorta from the femoral artery, the catheter
must be inserted into the ascending aorta directly. We have found that the
new Datascope "percutaneous" balloon catheter offers many advantages for
direct insertion into the ascending aorta, but certain precautions are
necessary to prevent cerebral emboli when the percutaneous balloon catheter
is used this way.