OBJECTIVE The optimal diameter at which replacement of the ascending aorta should be performed in patients with bicuspid aortic valve disease is not known. METHODS We reviewed all patients with bicuspid aortic valves undergoing aortic valve replacement at our institution from 1979 through 1993 (n = 201). Patients undergoing concomitant replacement of the ascending aorta were excluded. RESUL...

OBJECTIVES To validate ascending aorta-lower abdominal aorta bypass grafting treatment for patients with descending aortic coarctation and an aortic valve disease. METHODS The three patients in whom a descending atypical aortic coarctation was associated with an aortic valve disease were treated with one stage surgical treatment with aortic bypass grafting through the diaphragm and aortic val...

Massive intra-abdominal hemorrhage represents a challenging operative emergency. Temporary control of the aorta and inferior vena cava (IVC) using intra-luminal balloon occlusion, preemptive trans-thoracic clamping or infra-diaphragmatic clamping has been achieved with variable success. We report the use of wooden spoons with convex arches cut from their bases as a cheap and effective alternati...

BACKGROUND Acute chest pain represents a common presentation at emergency department. Aortic dissection in young patients, however, is fortunately rare. METHODS We report a case of giant ascending aortic aneurysm with Stanford type A aortic dissection in an otherwise well 22-year-old male patient. Operative aortic valve and root replacement was undertaken with favourable outcome. RESULTS Hi...

Vascular injuries of the thoracic inlet and mediastinum present formidable difficulties in terms of exposure and management. The majority of patients with gunshot wounds to the thoracic aorta and brachiocephalic vessels do not reach the operating room alive, but those who do present unique problems for thoracic and vascular surgeons. In such cases, operative repair must be individualized and of...

Aging of the population and the increase in patients on dialysis have led to an increasing frequency of “porcelain aorta” (subtotal circumferential calcification of the ascending aorta) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.1) Porcelain aorta is reported to be associated with higher morbidity and mortality, especially related to stroke.2,3) Cardiac surgery is more complex in patients with porc...

From the Department of Surgery, Section of General Surgery, University of Michigan Medical Center and Veterans Administration Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Reprint requests to S. M. Lindenauer, M.D., 2215 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105. Two canine preparations have generally been used for the experimental evaluation of prosthetic arterial implants. The more popular of these has been re...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy of temporary balloon occlusion of the abdominal aorta assisting open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) in the treatment of complex acetabular fracture. MATERIAL AND METHODS From August 2000 to October 2011, a total of 48 patients with complex acetabular fracture were enrolled in this study. Average operative time, intraoperative ...

Aortic false aneurysm is a rare complication of surgery of the aorta that can occur several months to years after the initial operation. We reviewed our results with false aneurysm repair using deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest. Three patients were reoperated for false aneurysm of the ascending aorta. Femorofemoral cardiopulmonary bypass with a heparinized system was used in all patients....

BACKGROUND The management of mild to moderate dilatation of the ascending aorta of less than 5 cm is controversial, particularly when concomitant surgical correction of aortic valve is required. We investigate the impact of a simple method of aorta reduction using Dacron graft wrapping during aortic valve replacement on the rest of the aorta. METHODS We studied 14 patients who had ascending a...