August 27, 2009
Institutional Review Board, Hospital for Special Surgery
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Michael K. Urban, MD
Fifteen patients for thoraco-lumbar spinal fusions. All study data will be collected intraoperatively.
Patients 18 years or older presenting for multiple level (>5) posterior thoraco-lumbar spinal fusions are included.
Patients with severe pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular failure, aortic insufficiency and/or stenosis will be excluded.