Use of pericardial strip for reinforcement of proximal anastomosis in Bentall's procedure.

Bleeding from a proximal suture line is not uncommon following composite graft anastomosis in Bentall's procedure. Passage of valve sutures through the pericardial strip, which is used to encircle the sewing ring of the composite graft, strengthens the repair. The strip can also be sutured to the left ventricular outflow tract in case of bleeding from proximal anastomosis in that particular region.