Heartport Endoclamp for Complex Cardiac Repairs With Total Circulatory Arrest

A method of performing redo cardiac operations using port-access technology and total circulatory arrest is described. The technique was useful in 2 cases requiring re-intervention within 4 months of the primary procedure. The indications were repair of an infected ventricular aneurysm and recurrence of a postinfarction ventricular septal defect. Dense mediastinal adhesions were avoided by approaching the site of pathology directly via a left anterior thoracotomy.