UTILIZATION OF A MASS-INFUSION SYSTEM IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RUPTURED ABDOMINAL AORTIC-ANEURYSMS - AN ALTERNATIVE APPLICATION FOR DEVICES EMPLOYED IN CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS

To stabilize the hemodynamics before and during ruptured abdominal aor tic aneurysmal repair, a mass-infusion system was developed and succes sfully employed in the treatment of two patients, The system consists of a combination of devices used in cardiopulmonary bypass, namely: su ction, a reservoir, a heat exchanger, a bubble trap, and an intracaval large-sized venous femoral cannula for infusion, It proved extremely useful to tide the patients over hypovolemic shock before cross-clampi ng of the proximal aorta, preventing intraoperative hypothermia, which is known to cause multiple physiologic derangement associated with an adverse outcome, Moreover, the employment of a large-sized cannula al lowed for a temporary switch from the preceding venous infusion suppor t to the hypothermic circulatory assist with central aortic cannulatio n, using the caval cannula for drainage, This system provides an optio nal advantage for patients requiring an open proximal anastomosis.