Perioperative complications in combined aortic valve replacement and extraanatomic ascending descending bypass

Background In adult patients, the combination of severe aortic valve stenosis and coarctation is rare. Surgical options comprise either a two-stage approach with valve replacement and subsequent repair of the coarctation or a one-stage repair involving valve replacement and insertion of an extraanatomic bypass graft from the ascending to the descending aorta. Methods We report the cases of 2 adult patients with this combined lesion who underwent simultaneous aortic valve replacement and transpericardial bypass of the coarctation. Results Weaning from extracorporeal circulation and restoration of spontaneous circulation required resuscitative measures. By increasing mean arterial perfusion pressure using norepinephrine, the observed hemodynamic instability could be controlled effectively. Conclusions Changes in the hemodynamics of the thoracic vascular bed resulting in coronary malperfusion are discussed to be the major cause of heart failure and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias seen in our patients after aortic valve replacement and insertion of an ascending-descending aorta bypass graft. Awareness of the complications described is considered important for successful management of these high-risk patients.