A New Proximal Anastomosis Technique In Two Patients With Severely Calcified Aorta

Abstract

A severely calcified aorta carries a high risk of atheroemboli and bleeding for cardiac surgery with an incidence range of 14% to 29%. Various techniques were described avoiding cannulation and clamping of the aorta. Nowadays, the no-touch beating heart technique seems to be the best alternative in patients with calcific aorta. Herein, we present a closed proximal anastomosis technique in this high-risk patient group. (Ann Thorac Surg 2011;92:1914-6) (C) 2011 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons