Balloon Occlusion of the Renal Artery Using Contrast Material Instead of Air

Abstract

Occlusion of the ipsilateral renal artery prior to nephrectomy is facilitated by substituting contrast material for air in the balloon of the Swan-Ganz catheter. The higher specific gravity of the contrast medium causes the balloon to settle in the bloodstream instead of floating in it, permitting it to be carried rapidly into the renal artery.