Control of Aortic Haemorrhage by Balloon Catheter

Abstract

Haemorrhage from the majority of leaking aneurysms of the abdominal aorta can be controlled by cross-clamping below the origin of the renal arteries. Nevertheless, occlusion of the aorta at a more proximal level may be necessary either when the aneurysm involves the renal vessels or when there is profuse bleeding from the posterior portion of the proximal anastomosis between graft and aorta. The use of conventional vascular clamps in these situations necessitates further dissection of the aorta behind the upper part of the lesser sac. An altemative yet little-known method makes use of the Foley-type catheter. The intraluninal inflation of the balloon of one of these catheters provides a simple, safe, and rapid way of occluding the proximal aorta, and we report here its successful use during aortic resection. © 1971, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.