Open heart surgery for a very-low-weight (660 g) premature infant.

An intracardiac calcified thrombus in a premature infant weighing only 660 was successfully removed using normothermic caval inflow occlusion. This technique avoids the use of a heart-lung machine with its deleterious effects for this specific group of patients. In addition, closure of the persistent ductus arteriosus by ligation was accomplished. Because the authors see increasing numbers of preterm neonates who need intensive care management, their experience may be helpful for those dealing with this group of patients.