A sterile technique for adjustment of intra-aortic balloon catheter position after closure of the groin incision.
Following insertion or prolonged pumping, intraaortic balloon position is occasionally found well below the desired site with the concomitant loss of mechanical advantage. Repositioning may mean having to advance a semisterile catheter into the arterial lumen. To alleviate this risk, a new technique of balloon catheter insetion is suggested whereby a 10 inch length of prosthetic material is sewn into the artery. The redundant length is allowed to protrude beyond the skin closure. If prolonged pumping is envisaged, the cuff may be left intact altogether or else it is amputated upon satisfying oneself that the balloon is placed in the desired position.
D001243:Assisted Circulation; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D006354:Heart, Artificial; D006801:Humans