INTRAVASCULAR SPINAL PERFUSION AND COOLING FOR USE DURING AORTIC SURGERY

摘要

Cooled, and oxygenated blood is shunted from the heart (10) or proximal aorta (12) into the open ends of intercostal arteries (14) severed during thoracotomy abdominal aortic surgery to prevent or minimize the effects of spinal ischemia. Cooled perfusion can be performed with a branched multiple vessel perfusion assembly (200), which includes a branched conduit comprising a common portion, and branch portions. Cooled perfusion can also be performed with a chambered multiple vessel perfusion assembly (200), which includes a conduit with an inflow cannula (204) formed at one end, and a perfusion chamber (206) formed at the other end. The perfusion chamber (206) comprises a plurality of vessel engaging outlets (219) through which the open ends of the severed intercostal arteries (14) can be disposed. In operation, oxygenated blood flows from the aorta (12), through the blood flow conduit (204), into the perfusion chamber (206), and into the lumens of the intercostal arteries (14).