Transseptal control of the difficult aortic annulus.

ABSTRACT

Successful control of the aortic root in extensive erosive endocarditis, with or without mycotic ventricular septal defect, frequently depends on secure prosthetic fixation to the interventricular septum. We describe transseptal suture fixation of aortic root prostheses through a pulmonary infundibular approach and recommend its early use to avoid difficult, often injurious, attempts at septal suture from within the left ventricular outflow tract.