Emergent Endovascular Repair of a Ruptured Ascending Aorta Pseudoaneurysm With Thoracic Aortic Stent Graft

Abstract

Pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta is a rare complication of cardiac surgery due to tissue degeneration at the site of graft anastomosis, aortotomy, or extracorporeal circulation cannulation. We describe the case of a patient who developed an ascending aorta pseudoaneurysm after coronary artery bypass graft surgery, which initially required percutaneous closure with an atrial septal defect occlusion device. However, three years later the patient presented again with active external bleeding secondary to pseudoaneurysm enlargement and rupture, which was emergently repaired by percutaneous endovascular repair with a thoracic aortic stent graft. At one-year follow-up the patient is in good conditions and asymptomatic.

Keywords: Aortic pseudoaneurysm; Covered stent; Endovascular repair; Ruptured pseudoaneurysm.