Aortic valve replacement in a patient with Takayasu's disease without cross-clamping the calcified ascending aorta.

The case of a 42-year-old female requiring surgical management of aortic regurgitation, secondary to Takayasu's disease, with a co-existing heavily calcified ascending aorta is described. In order to address aortic valve surgery with such calcific disease affecting the ascending aorta and peripheral vessels, we present a simple and safe technique that allows aortic valve replacement using a vascular intra-aortic occlusion catheter.