Improved brain and myocardial protection during complex aortic reinterventions

Abstract

In redo aortic surgery, an important issue of brain and myocardial protection is raised in patients presenting with large aneurysm (or pseudoaneurysm) adherent to the sternum and severe aortic valve regurgitation. We present our technique involving antegrade brain perfusion before resternotomy and left ventricle venting through the apex using a small anterolateral left thoracotomy.