title: Transthoracic intra-aortic balloon pump removal without repeat sternotomy.
abstract: Transaortic balloon catheter insertion for intra-aortic balloon assistance is a practical alternative to the standard transfemoral cannulation in patients with significant aortoiliac occlusive disease. We describe a technique whereby a transthoracic balloon is removed with the aid of video-assisted thoracoscopy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, UK. drsoo@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Alan W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Soo
authors.forename: Haralabos
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Parissis
mesh_terms: D020878:Device Removal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007423:Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012086:Reoperation; D056346:Sternotomy; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; D016896:Treatment Outcome