title: Cannulation of the right atrium via left thoracotomy.
abstract: Described here is a technique of right atrial cannulation to establish cardiopulmonary bypass for repairing descending thoracic/aortic arch aneurysms via left thoracotomy. This technique provides satisfactory venous return and can be used for retrograde cerebral perfusion during aortic surgery. The technique is safe and has been extensively used by the authors.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Pankaj
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Saxena
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Prashanth
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vallabhajosyula
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA pochettino.alberto@mayo.edu.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pochettino
mesh_terms: D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000601:surgery*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass / Q000379:methods*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D006325:Heart Atria; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Aortic surgery; Cardiopulmonary bypass; Cerebral protection