Acute epicardial dissection rupture during surgical myocardial revascularization secondary to the use of cardiac stabilizer

Abstract

At the end of the 1990s, off-pump myocardial revascularization surgery gained mo-mentum. Hence, a number of cardiac surgery centers adopted it as the most frequent surgical procedure to reduce complications. To implement it, the many medical equipment companies provided the surgical community with retractable stabilizers to facilitate cardiac positioning by suction and pressure, especially for lateral and posterior wall revascularization and coronary segment stabilization. These devices have been shown to be safe and effective; however, the patient presented is a rare case, in which epicardial dissection occurred secondary to the use of stabilizers. Although complex, this complication was eventually resolved with an endomyocardial circular pericardial patch technique and ventricular repair. The patient had a satisfactory outcome.