title: Patch aortotomy for aortic valve replacement after previous coronary artery bypass grafting.
abstract: Exposure for aortic valve operations after previous coronary artery bypass grafting may be technically difficult owing to the presence of patent vein grafts on the proximal aorta. A patch or "island" aortotomy technique that allows excellent exposure of the aortic valve is presented here. In select patients this approach may facilitate cardioplegia administration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, New England Medical Center Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sindhi
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Belisle
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Cleveland
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Diehl
mesh_terms: D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D012086:Reoperation