A simple technique to rule out occlusion of right coronary artery after aortic valve surgery.

Mechanical occlusion of the right coronary artery during aortic valve surgery is an infrequent but serious complication. Early recognition and expeditious management are important to reduce mortality. We developed a safe, quick, and easy technique to assess right coronary artery flow after aortic valve surgery. Direct intraoperative right coronary artery flow was measured by placing a transit-time flowmeter probe around the right coronary artery. We were able to promptly detect severe right coronary artery insufficiency in patients with acute unexpected right ventricular failure after aortic valve replacement.