Bailout after failed biventricular management of critical aortic stenosis: another application of the hybrid approach.

The decision between a single-ventricle and biventricular strategy can be particularly difficult in patients with critical left ventricular outflow obstruction who have marginal left ventricular size or function. Overzealous pursuit of a biventricular strategy in borderline cases can lead to death or require conversion to a single-ventricle physiology at increased risk. We describe novel use of the hybrid approach as a bailout option for a patient with critical aortic stenosis who, despite balloon valvuloplasty, exhibited persistent severe left ventricular dysfunction. This approach provides a simple and effective pathway to treat patients with a failed biventricular circulation, at a considerably lower risk, while keeping all therapeutic options open.