Combined Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting and Extra-anatomic Ascending Aorta to Bifemoral Grafting Through Median Sternotomy

A high proportion of patients with severe systemic atherosclerotic disease present with the involvement of both the coronary and aortoiliac arteries. For these patients with multiple comorbidities and high surgical risk, it is critical to minimize the overall physiologic burden of the operation when possible. Furthermore, with severe or complete occlusion of vascular supply to the lower extremities, it is beneficial to avoid two-stage surgeries because of the high risk of irreversible ischemia necessitating amputation. In select cases, a single combined operation without entering the abdominal cavity may be a reliable option. We present a case with excellent results using the technique of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and extra-anatomic ascending aorta to bifemoral grafting through median sternotomy and subcutaneous tunneling. Furthermore, there is a wide variation in anticoagulation reversal practices among surgeons after performing these combined grafting operations. We administered only half of the ideal calculated protamine dose for reversal of heparinization, which achieved favorable results in our patient. Overall, with symptomatic occlusion of the coronary and aortoiliac arteries, combined CABG and extra-anatomic aortobifemoral grafting with subcutaneous tunneling is a reliable surgical option. The indication for this approach should be tailored to the anatomy of the lesion and the urgency of the clinical scenario.