title: Unexpected embolization of Teflon pledget in the left main stem during: a Bentall operation.
abstract: We report the case of an 83-year-old man in whom acute left ventricular failure with ventricular arrhythmic storm developed during a Bentall operation. During re-exploration of the annular and coronary ostial anastomoses, no abnormality was seen, and none of the common sequelae of aortic root replacement was evident. The application of retrograde cardioplegia yielded a Teflon pledget that had migrated into the distal part of the left main stem. The pledget was removed, the anastomoses were reestablished, and the patient recovered uneventfully. This case suggests that left ostial anastomosis re-exploration should be carefully considered when no other cause of coronary insufficiency is obvious, and that retrograde cardioplegia may be useful to detect embolization in the left coronary system.
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Surgery Unit, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro 88100, Italy. antonio.rubino@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Antonino S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Rubino
authors.forename: Giuseppe F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Serraino
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marsico
authors.forename: Attilio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Renzulli
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D004617:Embolism / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D004867:Equipment Design; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006324:Heart Arrest, Induced; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D012086:Reoperation; D013537:Sutures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene