Coral reef aorta is defined by a calcified stenosis of the visceral aorta which can cause leg claudication, renal failure and visceral ischemia depending the type and localisation of the stenosis.

This pathology is rare and is usually treated by open surgery with aortic endarteriectomy. Little is know about the outcomes after such aggressive surgery with short series and short follow up.

The authors propose a retrospective study from their institution to explore the post operative and long term outcomes after this surgery.

Coral reef aorta is defined by a calcified stenosis of the visceral aorta which can cause leg claudication, renal failure and visceral ischemia depending the type and localisation of the stenosis.

This pathology is rare and is usually treated by open surgery with aortic endarteriectomy.

Little is known in the literature regarding the outcomes of this aggressive surgery.

The authors propose a retrospective study from their institution describing the type of surgery realised. They describe the post operative outcomes of this surgery in term of cardiologic, respiratory, renal complication a,d surgical complication.

Moreover they follow the patients to present long term outcomes of this pathology with a description of the post operative recurrence of a coral reef, the permeability of the different target vessel and the cardiologic, respiratory and renal evolution of the different patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Coral reef surgery
• Urgent intervention
• Claudication, renal, visceral involvement
• Thoracic aortic cross clamping (above coeliac trunk)

Exclusion Criteria:

• "simple" visceral aorto thrombectomy without opening laterally the aorta
• Pregnant

All patients who needed a coral reef surgery were included