[Ascending Aortic Replacement and Aortic Valve Replacement in a Patient with Cold Agglutinins].

ABSTRACT

Cold agglutinins are commonly found in healthy individuals. Cold agglutinins bind to red blood cells at low temperatures, such as during cardiovascular surgery. Agglutination leads to hemolysis and embolism. A 73-year-old man with cold agglutinins disease underwent ascending aortic replacement and aortic valve replacement. As there was no agglutination reaction at 34 degrees centigrade in preoperative testing, we performed the operation under cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegia at a temperature above 34 degrees centigrade. He was discharged without any complications.