Aortic Resection and Replacement for Coral Reef Aorta Involving Severe Obstructive Calcification: A Case Report.
Yoshiaki Sone1, Shunta Hayakawa1, Yukihide Numata1
1Cardiovascular Surgery, Nagoya City University East Medical Center, Nagoya, JPN.
Cureus
|July 21, 2025
Summary
Coral reef aorta (CRA), a rare condition causing severe aortic stenosis, was successfully treated with prosthetic graft replacement in a 74-year-old female. This surgical approach relieved symptoms and showed no recurrence during a one-year follow-up.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Radiology
Background:
- Coral reef aorta (CRA) is a rare condition causing severe aortic stenosis due to calcifications protruding into the lumen.
- Symptoms include intermittent claudication and intestinal ischemia, potentially leading to fatal outcomes.
Observation:
- A 74-year-old female presented with intermittent claudication and severe abdominal aortic calcification.
- CT scans confirmed extensive infrarenal abdominal aortic calcification with severe lumen stenosis.
Findings:
- Surgical intervention with prosthetic graft replacement was chosen over endovascular options due to lower re-intervention risk.
- The patient underwent successful aortic resection and reconstruction with a prosthetic graft via laparotomy.
Implications:
- Prosthetic graft replacement effectively treated severe aortic stenosis in CRA, alleviating patient symptoms.
- The patient experienced symptom improvement and remained recurrence-free one year post-surgery, highlighting the procedure's efficacy.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Aneurysm III: Interprofessional Care
28
Aneurysm management involves either conservative medical therapy or surgical intervention, depending on the size and symptoms of the aneurysm. Conservative management is generally reserved for smaller, asymptomatic aneurysms, while larger or symptomatic aneurysms often necessitate surgical repair.Conservative Medical TherapyFor small, asymptomatic aneurysms, particularly abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) less than 5.5 centimeters in diameter, conservative medical therapy is recommended. This...
28
01:25Aortic Regurgitation III: Medical Management
45
Aortic regurgitation (AR) is when the aortic valve does not close or seal properly, leading to backward blood circulation from the aorta into the left ventricle during diastole. Common causes of AR include rheumatic heart disease, congenital valve defects, and aortic root dilation. Managing AR requires a multifaceted approach to alleviate symptoms, preserve left ventricular function, and address the underlying cause of the regurgitation. Patients with symptomatic AR or significant left...
45