Systolic collapse of aortic composite graft after Bentall operation: A sign of pseudoaneurysm formation.

Although aortic root replacement using a composite graft including the Bentall operation is the treatment of choice for a diseased aortic valve and root dilatation, composite graft endocarditis can occur as a life-threatening complication with a high mortality rate. When aortic pseudoaneurysm occurs due to composite graft endocarditis, it usually indicates that saccular bulging of the surrounding tissue of the composite graft is present. Furthermore, another sign and a clue of the diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm is the collapse of the composite graft due to the outer compression pressure of the leaking blood flow. Additionally, right parasternal view is useful to get the clear images of this phenomenon. Echocardiographic evaluation will contribute to the early recognition of this highly critical pathology.