Management of ascending suture line sepsis by excision on the ascending aorta and insertion of a left ventricular apex to aorta conduit.

A new technique used in the management of infection of an aortic suture line following aortic valve replacement and subsequent episodes of severe hemorrhage resulting from suture line disruption is described. In a planned, staged procedure, a left-ventricular-apex-to-aorta conduit was inserted followed by excision of the supracoronary aortic root and ascending aorta, incorporating all infected tissue. This technique demonstrates that near total excision of the ascending aorta is possible and coronary artery flow can be maintained with only a minimal supravalvular aortic chamber.