| abstract |
The invention provides devices and methods for thoracoscopically arresting the heart and establishing cardiopulmonary bypass, thus facilitating a variety of less invasive surgical procedures on and within the heart and great vessels of the thorax. In one embodiment, the invention provides a thoracoscopic system for arresting a patient's heart including a clamp (32) configured for introduction into the patient's thoracic cavity through a percutaneous intercostal penetration in the patient's chest. The clamp is positionable about the patient's ascending aorta between the coronary arteries and the brachio-cephalic artery. The clamp (32) is coupled to the distal end of an elongated handle means (36) for manipulating the clamp (32) from a location outside of the patient's thoracic cavity. A means for actuating the clamp (36) is coupled to the proximal end (23) of the handle means (36). When actuated, the clamp (32) blocks blood flow through the ascending aorta. A delivery cannula (44) may be used to deliver cardio-plegic fluid into the ascending aorta upstream from the clamp (32) to arrest cardiac function. |