Combined valve-sparing root replacement and total arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk

Abstract

We report a case of simultaneous repair of an extensive thoracic aortic aneurysm from the aortic root to the distal aortic arch. A 54-year-old male had annuloaortic ectasia and a transverse aortic and distal arch aneurysm. Aneurysms of the descending aorta and the abdominal aorta were also demonstrated. The patient underwent aortic valve-sparing root reconstruction, replacement of the aortic arch and placement of a frozen elephant trunk stent-graft concomitantly through a median sternotomy incision. Because a complicated procedure was necessary, root reconstruction was performed first and coronary perfusion was resumed. This case suggests that the surgical procedure should be determined on the bases of the situation of thoracic aortic aneurysm and the general condition of the patient. Treatment for extensive diseased aorta from the aortic root to the distal aortic arch is a surgical challenge. Although single-stage repair is one of the options for this condition, it is very invasive. Total arch replacement with the frozen elephant trunk technique is efficacious to exclude distal arch aneurysm or descending aortic aneurysm through median sternotomy. An aortic valve-sparing operation was developed to preserve the native aortic valve function in order to improve the patient's quality of life. We herein report a case of concomitant total arch replacement using a frozen elephant trunk and aortic valve-sparing operation for extensive thoracic aortic aneurysm. © 2011 Published by European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.