Bilateral axillary artery cannulation for severely calcified aorta and branches: a case report

BACKGROUND Aortic valve surgery in patients with severely calcified aortas is technically challenging. Additionally, the choice of arterial cannulation site and whether to perform an aortic clamp to prevent neurological complications are poorly defined. CASE PRESENTATION We describe a patient with a severely calcified aorta and stenosis of its side branches. He successfully underwent aortic valve replacement with bilateral axillary artery cannulation and short-term moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest for cross-clamping of a severely calcified aorta to prevent neurological complications. CONCLUSIONS Bilateral axillary artery cannulation and short-term moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest for cross-clamping of the porcelain aorta is a suitable option to prevent neurological complications in patients with a severely calcified aorta and stenosis of its side branches who need aortic valve replacement.