[Superior vena cava replacement with autologous pericardial conduit in redo cardiac surgery].
BACKGROUND
Iatrogenic lesions needing repair can occur during redo cardiac surgery. Lacerations of the superior vena cava in redo cardiac surgery have been underreported. There is still debate around what prosthesis is best to replace the superior vena cava. A case of superior vena cava replacement for iatrogenic injury in a case of redo mitral valve surgery is reported. Use of fresh autologous pericardium to create a total conduit restoring the continuity of the superior vena cava is described.


METHODS
54-year-old female with previous cardiac surgery undergoing prosthetic mitral valve replacement. During the course of the procedure, a major laceration in the superior vena cava was detected and successfully repaired by interposing a total conduit of fresh autologous pericardium.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of autologous pericardium in order to make a total conduit for the superior vena cava reconstruction can be recommended because no long-term anticoagulation is required, and there is no additional economical cost and virtually no risk of infection.
Departamento de Cirugía Cardiaca. Hospital de Enfermedades, Cardiovasculares Núm. 34, IMSS. Monterrey, Nuevo León, México. ovidiogv@hotmail.com
Ovidio Alberto
OA
García-Villarreal
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass; D005260:Female; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D010496:Pericardium / Q000637:transplantation; D012086:Reoperation / Q000379:methods; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000601:surgery*; D015607:Stents; D013536:Suture Techniques; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000188:drug therapy; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014261:Tricuspid Valve / Q000601:surgery; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000601:surgery*
D000925:Anticoagulants