Aortic stenosis caused by the felt strip used in repair for acute aortic dissection.
OBJECTIVE
We report a rare complication--stenosis of the proximal anastomotic site caused by an inside felt strip--in surgery for acute type A aortic dissection.


METHODS
Eight weeks after the emergent repair, the patient suffered from anemia and persistent high-grade fever. Computed tomography and transesophageal echocardiography revealed considerable aortic stenosis, while laboratory data showed hemolytic anemia associated with some inflammatory changes.


RESULTS
After surgical relief of the aortic stenosis, inflammatory change improved and anemia also disappeared.


CONCLUSIONS
It is evident that the inner felt strip used for reinforcement of the proximal anastomosis can cause remarkable stenosis, resulting in hemolytic anemia and inflammatory changes.
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, National Cardiovascular Center, 5-7-1 Fujishirodai, Suita, Osaka, Japan 565-8565.
Kaoru
K
Matsuura
Hitoshi
H
Ogino
Kenji
K
Minatoya
Hiroaki
H
Sasaki