A new temporary shunt: its use in surgery of the abdominal aorta

A temporary mechanical shunt bypassing the necessary clamp during aortic surgery is described. In rare specific situations, it can be a favourable adjuvant since the shunt may protect tissue distal to the cross-clamping from ischemic changes and prevent deleterious hemodynamic effects of the clamping procedure. A mechanical bypass machine with a roller type pumphead was utilised to connect one brachial artery with both the femoral/iliac arteries. Two automatic magnetic clamps alternated the whole blood flow to each artery at a fixed time interval. In this way the blood flow resembled a pulsative one. Through a second pump heparin could be given continuously. The bypass machine was equipped with pressure guards and a bubble detector for safety monitoring. The technical aspects are discussed.