Conclusions
Re-sternotomy in the presence of patent grafts remains challenging with high morbidity, mortality and prolonged length of stay. Long term survival is significantly impaired by cardiovascular injury at re-sternotomy and perioperative morbidity of surgery. Survival is less than first time AVR and that for matched general population.
Acknowledgement – We thank Bradley Yee, senior database manager for help with collection of the data.
Competing interests and funding - None