Direct aortic cannulation for port-access mitral or coronary artery bypass grafting.

A technique is described for direct aortic arterial cannulation during Port-Access mitral valve or coronary artery bypass grafting. Femoral arterial cannulation is avoided, and endoaortic balloon occlusion is used for cardioplegic arrest. To date, excellent results have been obtained in 45 patients.

Comparison of direct aortic and femoral cannulation for port-access cardiac operations.

Background: Differences in outcome after direct aortic cannulation (AORT) in the chest versus standard femoral arterial cannulation (FEM) have not been defined for minimally invasive cardiac operations utilizing the port-access approach.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed of 165 patients undergoing port-access cardiac mitral valve operation (n = 126) or coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 39). In 113 patients, FEM was used, while in 52 patients, AORT was accomplished through a port in the first intercostal space.

Mitral valve operation via Port Access versus median sternotomy.

Objective: The advantages and disadvantages of minimally invasive Port Access mitral valve operation have not been defined relative to standard median sternotomy. A study was therefore designed to delineate differences in outcome from mitral operation via Port Access versus sternotomy in comparable patients.

Methods: The records of 41 consecutive patients undergoing isolated mitral valve replacement (n = 14) or repair (n = 27) were examined.