Introduction
Re-sternotomy for cardiac surgery remains a challenging procedure with
associated morbidity and mortality (1,2). Re-sternotomy is more
challenging with patent coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG) due to risk
of graft injury and myocardial jeopardy. With increasing life expectancy
and a wider use of biological prostheses, a greater number of patients
would need re-sternotomy for aortic valve replacement (AVR) later in
life. Transcatheter valve therapy now presents a compelling, safe option
to avoid re-sternotomy especially in high to intermediate risk severe
aortic stenosis patients with patent coronary grafts not needing any
other concomitant procedures (3,4). The aim of this study was to
evaluate early and long-term outcomes of patients who underwent AVR with
a re-sternotomy with patent CABG.