The Safety of Combined Aortic Valve Replacement and Coronary Bypass Grafting

Coexisting aortic valve disease and atherosclerotic coronary artery disease were treated in 27 patients by combined aortic valve replacement and coronary bypass grafting. There was 1 operative death; 2 late deaths occurred. These results compare favorably with those of either operation performed alone. A modular operative approach was adopted in which each component of the procedure was performed independently in sequence without complicated modifications of proved techniques. Most of the patients have been able to return to full activity following operation. Combined aortic valvular disease and coronary obstruction should be viewed with optimism. With the utilization of proved techniques this combination can be corrected with safety as indicated by operative mortality and short-term follow-up.