Novel valved graft modification of Cabrol fistula for bleeding after aortic root surgery

Abstract

The Cabrol fistula, which shunts blood from the perigraft space to the right atrium in cases of refractory bleeding after ascending aortic replacement, is a useful technique. A drawback is the potential for troublesome venous back-bleeding into the perigraft space. We describe a modification using a valved Contegra graft, which obligates unidirectional flow and eliminates venous back-bleeding. This renders the Cabrol fistula an even more useful technique.