What was applied after the aorta and atrium were exposed?

The application of an aortic cross-clamp after exposing the aorta and atrium is crucial during certain cardiac surgical procedures, particularly those that involve access to the heart or its valves. The primary function of the aortic cross-clamp is to temporarily stop blood flow through the aorta, allowing the surgeon to operate on the heart under clearer conditions and reducing the risk of ischemic damage to the tissues. By clamping the aorta, it facilitates a bloodless surgical field, which is essential for procedures such as valve repair or replacement, congenital heart defect corrections, or other cardiac interventions.

The use of an aortic cross-clamp also helps in maintaining hemodynamic stability, as it can be part of a controlled cardiopulmonary bypass setup, where blood is redirected to an external machine that takes over the function of pumping and oxygenating the blood. This allows for extended periods of time for the surgical team to work safely.

The other options relate to different aspects of cardiac care or intervention. Iced slush may be used for myocardial protection during surgery but is not specifically a direct intervention like the aortic cross-clamp. Anti-platelet medication is generally used to prevent clot formation but does not have a role in the immediate surgical context