Temporary diversion from the left ventricle to the descending aorta

In the plastic operations on the thoracic aorta, it is necessary not to interrupt the circulation for a long time. Therefore, the blood must be diverted. I described already the central diversion of the blood by intubation of the aorta. I attempted also to established a communication between the left ventricle and the descending aorta, by means of a paraffined rubber tube or a vein preserved in cold storage. I succeeded twice to direct the blood directly from the heart into the descending aorta. The ascending aorta was then clamped, and the circulation reversed through the upper part of the descending aorta. The purpose of these experiments is to develop a technique permitting operations on the first part of the arch of the aorta.