The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 43, 338-340, Copyright © 1987 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Pulmonary vein clamping during cardiopulmonary bypass: enhancement of operative field visualization and myocardial hypothermia
PO Daily, T Kinney and TA Steinke
In certain diagnostic entities temporary occlusion of the pulmonary veins
during cardiopulmonary bypass essentially eliminates the left ventricular
return of blood. This, in turn, improves visualization of the operative
field and enhances myocardial hypothermia by preventing rewarming of the
left ventricle to the perfusate temperature. Two methods of easily
accomplishing pulmonary vein clamping are described.