Professional
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
cross-clamp time
Duration that the aortic cross-clamp is applied, during which the heart receives no blood flow.
Full Definition
Cross-clamp time refers to the period during cardiac surgery when the ascending aorta is occluded with a clamp, preventing blood flow to the coronary arteries and inducing myocardial ischemia. This measurement is critical in cardiovascular anesthesia as prolonged cross-clamp times increase the risk of myocardial injury, arrhythmias, and difficulty weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass. Typical cross-clamp times range from 30 minutes for simple procedures to several hours for complex reconstructions.
Usage
Usage note: Always document both cross-clamp and total bypass times separately.
In Context
- "Cross-clamp time was 75 minutes for the double valve replacement procedure." — Operative summary
- "Prolonged cross-clamp time of 180 minutes resulted in delayed myocardial recovery." — Post-operative assessment
Also known as
aortic cross-clamp time
ischemic time
Don't confuse with
bypass time
pump time