Emergency cannulation for proximal perfusion in descending thoracic aorta procedures

Acute cardiac failure during descending thoracic aorta operations, although rare, may have catastrophic consequences. Under these circumstances, the u se of partial veno arterial bypass is advantageous, allowing an assisted pe rfusion of both proximal and distal circulation districts. Traditionally, t he ascending aorta or the aortic arch are the preferred sites of cannulatio n for proximal arterial reinfusion, but some limitations, such as extensive calcifications or extreme fragility of these segments, may hamper or at le ast delay this action. Herein, we describe a simple technique for rapid can nulation of proximal aorta in emergency circumstances. (C) 1999 by The Soci ety of Thoracic Surgeons.