[Retro-TH catheter for retrograde coronary sinus perfusion]

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Medical Device Technology
• Vascular Surgery

Context:

• Myocardial protection during open-heart surgery is critical.
• Aortic aneurysms, particularly those involving the aortic arch and thoracoabdominal regions, present complex surgical challenges.
• Selective organ perfusion techniques are essential for managing these complex cases.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Retro-TH catheter for retrograde coronary perfusion.
• To assess the utility of the Retro-TH catheter for selective cerebral, visceral, and renal perfusion in patients with aortic aneurysms.

Summary:

• The Retro-TH catheter, a 3-way balloon catheter, facilitates safer and more precise retrograde coronary perfusion for myocardial protection.
• The catheter proved effective for selective cerebral perfusion in aortic arch aneurysm repair and selective visceral/renal perfusion in thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair.
• Satisfactory results were achieved in 735 open-heart surgeries, 12 aortic arch aneurysm surgeries, and 6 thoracoabdominal aneurysm surgeries using this device between 1987 and 1992.

Impact:

• The Retro-TH catheter enhances surgical safety and precision in complex cardiovascular and vascular procedures.
• This device expands therapeutic options for myocardial, cerebral, and visceral organ protection during aortic surgery.
• Demonstrates successful clinical application of a specialized catheter in a significant number of complex surgical cases over a defined period.