Method of occluding a patient's ascending aorta and delivering cardioplegic fluid

An extracorporeal support system coupled to a blood circulation, comprising:

• an extracorporeal support apparatus;
• an arterial circulation support catheter including a blood lumen with a proximal end coupled to the extracorporeal support apparatus and a distal end inserted into the blood circulation;
• an arterial circulation support catheter occluding member positioned in an interior or at an exterior of the arterial circulation support catheter;
• a vent lumen with a distal end positioned in the left ventricle and provide direct venting of the left ventricle, wherein the vent lumen is positioned in the interior or the exterior of the arterial circulatory support lumen.
• a venous circulation support catheter including a blood lumen with a proximal end coupled to the extracorporeal support apparatus and a distal end inserted into the blood circulation;
• and
• a venous circulation support catheter occluding member to occlude the superior vena cava and the inferior vena cava, the venous circulation support catheter occluding member being positioned in an interior or at an exterior of the venous circulation support catheter.

A method for venting a left ventricle of a heart, comprising:

• providing an extracorporeal circulation support system including an extracorporeal support apparatus, a venous circulation support catheter, an arterial circulation support catheter and a vent lumen;
• introducing the arterial circulation support catheter into a blood circulation;
• introducing the venous circulation support catheter into the blood circulation;
• positioning a vent lumen distal end into a left ventricle of the heart;
• and
• venting the left ventricle rough the vent lumen.