Apicoaortic conduit implanted without cardiopulmonary bypass: a useful contingency technique

Apicoaortic conduit implantation is easier and safer with cardiopulmonary bypass. We present an analysis of two cases in which the operation was successfully concluded without the bypass. The first patient had a simultaneous correction of aortic coarctation and tunnelliform subaortic stenosis 8 years ago and is asymptomatic at present. The second patient suffered from hyperlipoproteinemia, calcification of the ascending aorta and femoral arteries and severe aortic stenosis. One month after surgery be suffered cardiac arrhythmia and died. Although this experience is limited, we believe that information about this alternative method may be useful in some cases.