The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 30, 495-498, Copyright © 1980 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Obstruction of the true lumen during retrograde perfusion of type I aortic dissections: a simplified solution
GV Parr, NJ Manley, DR Williams and RM Montesano
Retrograde perfusion of the false lumen in cases of type I dissection of
the thoracic aorta may not permit reperfusion of the coronary arteries when
the aortic cross-clamp is removed. We have employed a Y connector between
the coronary perfusion outlet of the oxygenator and cardioplegia delivery
system. This allows reperfusion of the coronary arteries through the
ascending aortic graft. As cardiopulmonary bypass is discontinued, the true
aortic lumen is reexpanded and the false lumen collapsed by forward flow of
blood from the heart. The successful use of this system is described.