A new balloon catheter for Selective Cerebral Perfusion

Selective cerebral perfusion (SCP) is a better method than hypothermic circulatory arrest for brain protection in aortic arch surgery because of fewer time limitations; however, it is more troublesome during surgery. We developed a new catheter for SCP, the SP Stud catheter, with a rib-surface balloon to reduce slipping to eliminate the need for snaring or clamping. To evaluate the slipping resistance of the new catheter, we compared it with two different balloon catheters: a Foley balloon catheter with a smooth-surface balloon as long as the SP Stud catheter, and a Retro-TH catheter with a smooth-surface balloon of discoid shape half as long as the SP Stud catheter. The "draw-strength," which refers to the slipping resistance, was measured in 20 autopsy carotid arteries in the three groups. The average draw-strengths of SP Stud catheter, Foley balloon catheter, and Retro-TH catheter were 92.3 ± 4.0, 20.8 ± 1.5, and 17.9 ± 0.8g, respectively, in sclerotic carotid arteries. The SP Stud catheter demonstrated approximately four times more resistance to slipping than the Foley balloon or Retro-TH catheters. The SP Stud catheter demonstrated a higher slipping resistance than conventional catheters, which may allow selective cerebral perfusion without snaring or clamping the carotid arteries, minimize the chance of cerebral embolism, and clear the operative field. © The Japanese Society for Artificial Organs 1998.