Elimination of Venting in Coronary Artery Surgery

The present study is a prospective analysis of 78 consecutive patients undergoing coronary operation without venting of the left ventricle. Results indicate that with cardioplegic arrest left ventricular distention does not occur when the venous lines are positioned in the right atrium. The technique described here has simplified the pump setup, shortened the operative time, and eliminated the potential hazards associated with venting the left ventricle