Distal aortic arch aneurysmectomy and coronary revascularization through a left thoracotomy.

A successful single operation of a distal aortic arch aneurysm and coronary artery disease through a left lateral thoracotomy using a simple hypothermic retrograde cerebral perfusion technique for cerebral protection in a 64-year-old man is reported. During ventricular fibrillation accompanying cooling to 15 degrees C, a left internal thoracic artery was anastomosed with the left anterior descending coronary artery, and the aneurysm was replaced with a patch during hypothermic retrograde cerebral perfusion.