Composite graft endocarditis: repair with a mechanical prosthesis

We report the case of a 64-year-old man who developed a mediastinal pseudoaneurysm due to severe endocarditis, 2 years after aortic root replacement with a prosthetic composite graft containing a mechanical valve. After a short period of stabilization and antibiotic therapy, the patient underwent surgery. The coronary buttons and the sewing ring of the composite graft were found to be detached from the graft and the annulus, respectively. Re-replacement with a prosthetic composite graft (Dacron graft with a mechanical valve) by the Cabrol procedure was performed. Although the homograft is considered by many surgeons to be the best graft for aortic root replacement, the synthetic composite graft can also be used to treat composite graft endocarditis successfully. The technical aspects of homograft versus synthetic aortic root replacement in patients with endocarditis are discussed briefly.