Cava endoluminal balloon occlusion as an adjunct technique to perform less invasive cardiopulmonary bypass procedures.
OBJECTIVE
A cardiopulmonary bypass technique was developed with the aim of achieving a less invasive approach to right-sided lesions of the heart or to avoid extensive dissection in reoperations.


METHODS
Cavae endoluminal balloon occlusion (CEBO) was achieved with balloon catheters, introduced through cannulas inserted in the right jugular and one of the femoral veins. This procedure can be used in association with a standard femoral cardiopulmonary bypass or with the port-access technique.


RESULTS
Twenty-two patients were operated, through a right thoracotomy, for atrial septal defect (19) and tricuspid valve regurgitation associated with mitral valve pathology (3). There were two intra-operative complications, partially related with the development of this technique and lack of appropriate designed material. There was no mortality and a shorter and easier postoperative care was achieved in almost all patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The CEBO technique is an useful and safe adjunct to perform miniinvasive or complex reoperations on the right side of the heart.
Melo
J Q
JQ
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Hospital de Santa Cruz, Carnaxide, Portugal.
Neves
J P
JP
Abecassis
M
M
Pinto
M M
MM
D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass / Q000379:methods*; D002404:Catheterization; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D003325:Coronary Care Units; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000601:surgery; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014261:Tricuspid Valve / Q000601:surgery; D014684:Venae Cavae