A single, multichannel catheter is useful for extracorporeal circulation of blood
to a patient undergoing cardiovascular treatments or surgery. The catheter has
three independent channels and an expandable balloon at one end of the catheter.
The first channel is largest and allows for delivery of blood to a patient in an
amount sufficient to maintain the patient's metabolism and perfusion throughout
the treatment or surgery. The second and third channels are smaller and integrated
into the wall of the first channel. The second channel is for delivering a biologically
active fluid to the heart and/or venting the left heart. The third channel is for
delivering a fluid to the balloon for its expansion when positioned in the ascending
aorta to occlude the flow of blood to the heart. One or more perfusion openings
may be located in the descending aorta.
