Apical suction device facilitating off-pump bypass for recurrent coarctation: case report

Apical suction devices to perform complete surgical revascularization without cardiopulmonary bypass have been recently introduced in cardiac surgical practice. We have increasingly explored the possibility of using these devices to perform other procedures on a beating heart that have previously necessitated the need for cardiopulmonary bypass. We present a case of recurrent coarctation in which an ascending-to-abdominal aorta bypass graft was successfully facilitated by the use of an apical suction device. The surgical technique and advantages and disadvantages of this method are highlighted.