Coronary ostial stenosis: a complication of aortic valve replacement of coronary perfusion

Coronary ostial stenosis developing after aortic valve replacement is a clinically well-recognized entity. This non-atheromatous intimal proliferation may be limited to the proximal part of the coronary artery, probably as a complication of intra-operative coronary perfusion. It may also occur in association with widespread intimal thickening in the aortic root, presumedly as a reaction to turbulence around aortic ball valve prostheses. We have encountered this process in 2/508 patients (0.4%), who underwent aortic valve replacement with the Björk-Shiley tilting disc valve prosthesis. The coronary perfusion technique was identical in all the operations.