Use of profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest for the calcified aorta

This case report discusses one method of dealing with the extensively calcified aorta in patients undergoing open heart surgery. Profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest was used in a patient undergoing aortic valve replacement with severe calcification of the ascending aorta and transverse arch. This patient recovered from surgery and was discharged from the hospital with no neurologic deficits.