Pure red cell aplasia is a rare condition resulting in severe anemia. Medic
al therapy is indicated, unless a thymoma is present. In patients with conc
urrent cardiac pathology requiring operation, simultaneous operation should
be contemplated to avoid risky resternotomy. We describe an exceptionally
rare case of a patient with pure red cell aplasia secondary to a thymoma wh
o underwent concomitant thymectomy and coronary artery grafting with a succ
essful surgical outcome. (C) 2001 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.