A novel cardioport for beating-heart, image-guided intracardiac surgery

Objective Intracardiac beating-heart procedures require the introduction and exchange of complex instruments and devices. To prevent potential complications such as air embolism and bleeding, a universal cardioport was designed and tested. Methods The design consists of a port body and a series o...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Vasilyev, Nikolay V., Kawata, Mitsuhiro, DiBiasio, Christopher M., Durand, Keith V., Hopkins, Jonathan, Traina, Zachary J., Slocum, Alexander H., del Nido, Pedro J.
Other Authors: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering
Format: Article
Language:en_US
Published: Elsevier 2015
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/99395
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5048-4109
Description
Summary:Objective Intracardiac beating-heart procedures require the introduction and exchange of complex instruments and devices. To prevent potential complications such as air embolism and bleeding, a universal cardioport was designed and tested. Methods The design consists of a port body and a series of interchangeable sleeves. The port uses a fluid purging system to remove air from the instrument before insertion into the heart, and a valve system minimizes blood loss during instrument changes. Results The cardioport was tested ex vivo and in vivo in pigs (n = 5). Beating-heart procedures, such as septal defect closure and mitral valve repair, were modeled. Ex vivo trials (n = 150) were performed, and no air emboli were introduced using the port. In comparison, air emboli were detected in 40% to 85% of the cases without the use of the port-based purging system. Port operation revealed excellent ergonomics and minimal blood loss. Conclusions A novel cardioport system designed to prevent air entry and blood loss from transcardiac instrument introduction was shown to be an enabling platform for intracardiac beating-heart surgery. The port system improves safety and facilitates further development of complex instruments and devices for transcardiac beating-heart surgery.