[Application of a large occlusion balloon catheter to re-do open heart surgery]

A very rare case having re-do open heart surgery four times during two years was reported. The case was 30 year-old-male complicated with aortitis syndrome and underwent mitral valve replacement because of infective endocarditis. But the prosthetic valve repeated detachment over and over again after first MVR in spite of complete treatment of steroid for aortitis syndrome. When fourth re-operation, it was easily expected that median sternotomy, cannulation and clamping would be difficult because of tough adhesion. So large occlusion balloon catheter was used to clamp the ascending aorta and operative field was exposed by left thoracotomy under femoro-femoral bypass. We could accomplish the operative procedure safely under "instrument free" operative field. Large occlusion balloon catheter is very useful for aortic clamping in case of not only reoperation but calcified aorta and so on.