To deal with calcified ascending aorta during coronary artery bypass grafting, we describe an alternative technique to create a clampless proximal anastomosis using a Foley catheter and polypropylene suture. In 30 patients, the number of distal anastomoses averaged 3.1 ± 0.7, and mean time of proximal anastomosis was 18.9 ± 1.3 minutes. Neither early nor late death occurred. Stroke occurred in 2 high-risk patients. At mean 1.6 ± 0.5 years of follow-up, 1 patient sustained recurrent angina, and graft patency was 93%. These favorable outcomes show that this alternative technique is a safe and effective approach to calcified ascending aorta in coronary artery bypass grafting.
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