Direct (apical) drainage of the left ventricle

Abstract

Extracorporeal circulation was designed to provide the surgeon with a « dry heart », while oxygen supply to the tissues was maintained. However, even « total bypass » does not answer th is purpose because several normal and pathologie pathways shunt blood from the systemic circulation to the heart and lungs. Therefore, « coronary suction » is necessary to remove blood from the operating field (a more adequate name is « field suction »). In addition, measures have to be taken to prevent dangerous accumulation of blood in the heart and lungs. Our paper deals with this problem.