Fatal complications after use of the symmetry aortic connector in coronary artery bypass surgery

During the last 2 years, 103 aortic saphenous vein graft anastomoses were performed in 68 patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass by using the Symmetry Bypass System Aortic Connector. Of these patients, 2 died during the early postoperative period. In the first patient, after an episode of ventricular fibrillation and closed-chest cardiac massage, the sternum was opened and hemopericardium secondary to leakage of the proximal anastomotic device was found. The second patient died of ascending aortic dissection, the tear of which was likely to have originated from the proximal anastomotic site. (C) 2004 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.