Surgical approach to the heart

Surgical approach to the heart

Median sternotomy is the main approach during cardiac surgery . An incision is made from the suprasternal notch to the xiphisternum. The sternum is divided in the midline and retracted, exposing the thymus superiorly and pericardium inferiorly . The atrophic thymus remains relatively vascular. The thymus and pleurae are dissected from the pericardium, which is opened. Before cannulation for CPB, the patient is fully heparinised. Other incisions can be used, including - limited upper or lower sternotomy and left or right anterolateral thoracotomy (in minimally invasive operations or descending aortic surgery). Alternative uses of CPB /uni25CF /uni25CF /uni25CF /uni25CF /uni25CF /uni25CF

Rewarming in hypothermia Resuscitation in severe respiratory failure As an adjunct in pulmonary embolectomy Single- and double-lung transplantation In cardiopulmonary trauma Certain non-cardiac surgical procedures (e.g. resection of highly vascular tumours or those invading large blood vessels; e.g. the inferior vena cava in renal tumours)