title: Insertion of the intraaortic balloon pump via the ascending aorta or the aortic arch using the HEARTSTRING Proximal Seal System.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The HEARTSTRING Proximal Seal System is used to avoid aortic clamping to insert the intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) in the ascending aorta or the aortic arch. This technique is used when calcification or atheroma prevents side clamping of the ascending aorta or the aortic arch.
  
  
  METHODS
  A vein graft or a small-caliber vascular prosthesis for the later insertion of the IABP is sewn to the ascending aorta or the aortic arch using the HEARTSTRING Proximal Seal System.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In our department, this technique is applied whenever insertion of the IABP is not feasible via the femoral arteries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The technique allows the safe insertion of the IABP via the ascending aorta or the aortic arch.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Chirurgische Klinik Dr. Rinecker, Munich. Lamm@rinecker.de.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lamm
authors.forename: Gerd
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Juchem
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Reichart
authors.forename: Eckehard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kilian
mesh_terms: D001011:Aorta / Q000601:surgery*; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000601:surgery*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D007423:Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping / Q000379:methods*; D014680:Veins / Q000637:transplantation