Rapid control in ruptured abdominal aneurysms.

Rapid control of a ruptured abdominal aneurysm can be achieved under local anesthesia by passing a Fogarty catheter, 8/22 F, retrograde from either femoral artery up into the thoracic aorta and inflating the balloon after administering heparin to the patient. This method avoids the often fatal hypotension that may occur with induction of general anesthesia in the hypovolemic patient. In cases in which the Fogarty catheter cannot pass up the iliac artery, direct insertion of the catheter through the aneurysm can be used, but this method requires the induction of general anesthesia prior to aortic control.