title: Transthoracic intraaortic balloon cannulation to avoid repeat sternotomy for removal.
abstract: Cannulation of the ascending aorta for intraaortic balloon assistance is a practical alternative to the standard transfemoral cannulation in patients with significant aortoiliac occlusive disease. One disadvantage of ascending aortic cannulation has been the requirement for a repeat sternotomy to remove the balloon. This report describes the successful implementation in 2 patients of a technique of ascending aortic balloon insertion and removal that avoids a second sternotomy.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001011:Aorta / Q000601:surgery*; D001243:Assisted Circulation / Q000379:methods*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis / Q000379:methods; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D006322:Heart Aneurysm / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery; D013909:Thorax