Professional
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
aortic cross-clamp
Surgical instrument used to occlude the ascending aorta during cardiac procedures requiring cardiopulmonary bypass.
Full Definition
An aortic cross-clamp is a specialized vascular clamp applied to the ascending aorta to completely stop blood flow to the coronary arteries and left ventricle during cardiac surgery. This creates a bloodless operative field while the patient is supported by cardiopulmonary bypass. The duration of cross-clamping is critical as it represents the period of myocardial ischemia and determines the need for myocardial protection strategies.
Usage
Usage note: Often referenced with timing (cross-clamp time) as a quality metric.
In Context
- "The aortic cross-clamp was applied after initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass." — Operative report
- "Aortic cross-clamp time was 45 minutes with excellent myocardial protection." — Post-operative summary
Also known as
aortic clamp
cross-clamp
Contrasted with
aortic unclamping
clamp release
Don't confuse with
partial occlusion clamp
side-biting clamp