The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Vol 78, 131-135, Copyright © 1979 by The American Association for Thoracic Surgery and The Western Thoracic Surgical Association
Prospective analysis of valvular replacement without venting the left ventricle
TA Salerno and EJ Charrette
The present study is a prospective analysis of a series of consecutive
valve replacement and combined (valvular plus coronary artery) operations
performed without left ventricular decompression. Results indicate that
left ventricular venting (direct or indirect) is unnecessary provided that
cardioplegic arrest is used, that the venous line is positioned in the
right atrium, and that left-sided pressures are monitored. Left ventricular
distention, as measured by left ventricular pressure recording, did not
occur; air embolism, as determined clinically and by
electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring, was not encountered. The routine
use of a left ventricular vent has been abandoned in most intracardiac
operations at our center.