Orthotopic Heart Transplant with Concurrent Supracoronary Ascending Aortic Replacement

Abstract

We report a case of successful orthotopic heart transplant with concurrent supracoronary ascending aortic replacement (SCAAR) using a vascular conduit. An orthotopic heart transplant was performed on a 29-year-old White man with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and reduced ejection fraction (20%). During the revision of the donor heart, a wall defect was detected in the ascending part of the donor aorta that could not be corrected. It was decided to perform a SCAAR using a 22-mm polytetrafluoroethylene vascular conduit and double-patch sandwich technique with Teflon patches. Two months later postoperative computed topography scan demonstrated sufficient patency of the vascular conduit and aorta with an improvement in the general somatic and functional state of the patient, and normal systolic and diastolic function of the transplanted heart. Our clinical case is unique in the complexity of the procedure with potential high intraoperative and early postoperative risks as well as the fact that SCAAR was performed immediately after heart transplant. In this clinical case, reconstruction of the ascending aorta with a vascular conduit is a strategically correct solution in the event of aortic defects that cannot be corrected with a suture technique.