Endovascular stent-graft deployment: Temporary vena caval occlusion with balloons to control aortic blood flow - Experimental canine study and initial clinical experience

Vena caval occlusion was evaluated in animal experiments. In five patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms, two balloon catheters were introduced via t he femoral vein to the inferior vena cava and superior vena cava and inflat ed before stent-graft deployment. Aortic pressure and flow were immediately decreased, which minimized the downstream shift of the stent-grafts. Tempo rary vena caval occlusion is safe and effective for precise aortic stent-gr aft deployment.