Published online by Cambridge University Press: 19 August 2008
A 29-year-old woman who had tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary atresia with major aortopulmonary collateral arteries developed aortic regurgitation due to infectious endocarditis. Isolated aortic valve replacement was undertaken because of heart failure unresponsive to medical therapy. Excessive flow through the aortopulmonary collateral arteries during cardiopulmonary bypass was controlled by means ofintraaortic balloons which were inflated to occlude the origin of the collateral arteries. Arterial return from the pump was delivered through separate cannulation of the ascending aorta and the right femoral artery. We believe that this method should be considered in those circumstances when excessive flow through systemic-to-pulmonary arteries is expected during cardiopulmonary bypass.