Cava endoluminal balloon occlusion as an adjunct technique to perform less invasive cardiopulmonary bypass procedures

Abstract

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. 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. 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. The CEBO technique is an useful and safe adjunct to perform miniinvasive or complex reoperations on the right side of the heart.