Management of Central Coronary Sinus Ruptures Using the Pericardial Patch Repair Technique

Background Intraoperative coronary sinus rupture is a rare event; however, it carries potential mortality and its’ management is technically challenging. A repair technique should provide adequate bleeding control while avoiding narrowing or stricture of the coronary sinus. Methods We retrospectively review our experience with a new pericardial patch repair technique. From January 1996 to May 2005 four cases of intraoperative coronary sinus injury were identified. Three female patients and one male patient with a mean age of 74 ± 4 years underwent valve replacement and/or coronary artery bypass on cardiopulmonary bypass. A double pericardial patch technique sandwiched with human fibrin glue was used to cover the defect. Results In all patients treated with this method, the injury could be treated successfully. All patients were extubated on the first postoperative day and median intensive care unit stay was 3 days. Drains could be removed after 4 days median. Median hospital stay was 13 days. After a median follow-up of 33 months all patients are alive without any echocardiographic signs of impairments of the coronary sinus. Conclusions We conclude that the pericardial patch technique is a safe and technically feasible technique for repair of central coronary sinus ruptures. Excellent bleeding control and, in our experience, no consecutive complications were observed.