Reversed Root for Entirely Biological Aortic Valve and Ascending Aorta Replacement in a Patient with Endocarditis and Mediastinitis

Abstract

A 59-year-old patient developed endocarditis with coagulase-negative staphylococci after aortic composite graft replacement and pacemaker implantation. She underwent complete pacemaker removal and tricuspid valve reconstruction. Pus was present in and around the aortic graft. Re-replacement of the aortic root and ascending aorta using only biological material was performed. A 23-mm full root stentless prosthesis (Vascutek Root Elan, Vascutec, Terumo, Leeds, UK) was used for aortic root replacement, and a second 25-mm full root prosthesis with removed cusps implanted in a reversed fashion was used for ascending aorta and proximal aortic arch replacement.