An unusual case of ruptured distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysm associated with brucellosis

Reports have noted aneurysmal dilatation of arteries in association with brucellosis, but involvement of intracranial vessels has not been documented to date. Sixty-one year old female patient who had been diagnosed with brucellosis 14 months earlier presented with symptoms of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Due to deterioration of the patient's clinical condition in spite of a two-drug antibiotic regimen, she was treated surgically and made a full recovery. It is important to identify this association promptly, as there are clinical implications for optimal management. The article also discusses the timing and duration of antibiotic therapy, indications for and considerations regarding surgery, and the use of other treatment modalities.     

Mycotic aneurysm of the root of left subclavian artery associated with aortic coarctation discovered by echocardiography

A 16‐year‐old girl was admitted with a 7‐month history of recurrent fever, weight loss of 5 kg, and general poor health status. Blood culture was positive with Streptococcus viridans. Transthoracic echocardiography established an aneurysm of the root of left subclavian artery, associated with an aortic coarctation just before the origin of the left subclavian artery with a velocity of 4.8 cm/s. Three‐dimensional echocardiography demonstrated the entire inner structure of the aneurysm. Computed tomography reconstruction confirmed the presence of aortic coarctation and mycotic aneurysm, it also revealed an aberrant right subclavian artery.     

Left cervical aortic arch associated with aortic aneurysm,aortic coarctation,and branch artery aneurysm--a case report and review

Cervical aortic arch (CAA) is a rare congenital aortic anomaly. Although, in CAA, other cardiovascular abnormalities including aortic aneurysm and aortic coarctation are occasionally accompanied, coexistence of those 2 aortic abnormalities on the same patient is rare, and moreover, association of the aneurysm of branching artery has not been reported. The authors present here the first patient with CAA who had both an aneurysm and a coarctation in the aortic arch, and further, another aneurysm in the left subclavian artery. Clinical characteristics of CAA with either aortic aneurysm or aortic coarctation are reviewed.     

Right aortic arch with ruptured aneurysm of anomalous left subclavian artery

An aneurysm in the anomalous left subclavian artery developed in an elderly woman with a right aortic arch and an aberrant left subclavian artery (left ligamentum arteriosum connected to the left common carotid artery). The aneurysm gradually enlarged, eventually rupturing with exsanguination. A progressive increase in the size of this aneurysm was associated with symptoms and anatomic findings consistent with the subclavian “steal” syndrome.     

Surgical management of abdominal aortic aneurysm

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are increasingly common in the aging population. While the etiology of abdominal aortic aneurysms is unknown, there is growing evidence that suggests an immune response. The majority of AAA are asymptomatic and when treated are standard open surgical procedures. The overall mortality rate is 5% or less. The current recommendations for the treatment of aneurysms are based on diameter: diameters exceeding 5 cm in good-risk younger patients should be treated. Aortic aneurysms tend to enlarge over time with a growth-rate between 0.2 and 0.4 mm per year. Once rupture occurs mortality is estimated to exceed 75%, with half of the patients dying prior to arriving at the hospital and the remaining one-half following surgical correction. Recently, minimally invasive techniques have been developed to treat AAA in high-risk patients. These techniques involve the use of covered stented grafts. Current clinical investigations are underway both in this country and in Europe, which have yielded promising results. However, long-term complications are unknown. Currently, aortic aneurysms are best treated with open surgical management.     

Left cervical aortic arch with aortic coarctation and saccular aneurysm

Cervical aortic arch is a very rare malformation and is occasionally accompanied by other cardiovascular anomalies. A 48-year-old male patient had a left cervical aortic arch with aortic coarctation and saccular aneurysm distal to the coarcted segment. The major clinical manifestations were upper body hypertension with a 50-mmHg discrepancy between the upper and lower limbs and a loud continuous murmur in the upper chest and back. Magnetic resonance angiography successfully depicted the anomalous aorta, and the aortic coarctation and aneurysm were surgically resected and the thoracic aorta was reconstructed. The discrepancy in blood pressure diminished after the operation, but antihypertensive medication was continued to satisfactorily control the hypertension.     

Sinus of valsalva aneurysm with congenital aortic stenosis and aortic coarctation

A 52-year-old female was diagnosed with the extremely rare combination of sinus of Valsalva aneurysm, congenital unicuspid aortic valve stenosis, and coarctation of the aorta. She was successfully treated in a two-stage operation. The first operation consisted of a bypass graft to correct the coarctation. The second, performed 31 days later, included aortic valve replacement, patch closure of the aneurysm, and translocation of the right coronary artery.     

Double aortic arch associated with coarctation

An unusual combination of double aortic arch with coarctation of one of its limbs is described. We emphasize the importance of preoperative aortography to demonstrate or exclude coarctation which is clinically silent prior to surgery. This rare association will determine the surgical approach.     

Special cerebral perfusion in surgery for the ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: For surgical treatment of the ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA), it is important to control bleeding and to protect the brain, spinal cord, and myocardium. We have developed and performed a new procedure on 6 patients with a ruptured TAA, a true aneurysm in 3 patients and a type A dissection in the other 3. METHOD: Cardiopulmonary bypass is installed with cannulations to the iliac artery and vein and to the common carotid arteries on both sides of the neck before the sternum is divided. For control of bleeding, venous drainage is accelerated, whereas cerebral perfusion is maintained via the carotid arteries. After insertion of the occlusion catheters into the descending aorta and the left subclavian artery following the aortotomy, the bypass flow to the iliac artery is increased. RESULTS: The arch replacement was performed in 4 patients and hemiarch replacement in two. Five patients are alive without neurologic deficits; one patient died of multi-organ failure on the 24th postoperative day. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that our procedure may be advantageous for patients with a ruptured TAA, a large retrosternal aneurysm, or reoperation of the thoracic aorta.     

Pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm associated with coeliac artery occlusion from an aortic intramural hematoma

Pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysms are a rare type of visceral artery aneurysm, whose rupture is associated with high mortality. These aneurysms are of particular interest because local haemodynamic change caused by coeliac artery obstruction plays an important role in their development. However, the pathophysiological mechanism of coeliac artery obstruction is not completely understood. Pressure from the median arcuate ligament is most frequently reported cause. Although it is well-known that stenosis or occlusion of the visceral vessels may be caused by aortic syndrome, reports of pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm associated with coeliac artery occlusion due to aortic syndrome are extremely rare. Our case indicates a new aetiology for a pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm and demonstrates the rapid deterioration of the patient affected.     

Successful management of esophageal necrosis after thoracic endovascular aortic repair for ruptured traumatic aortic aneurysm

A 65-year-old man reported nausea and anorexia after falling down a flight of stairs. Computed tomography (CT) showed a ruptured descending thoracic aortic aneurysm, and emergency thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) was performed. However, after resuming food intake, the patient developed a fever. CT scan showed severe pneumomediastinum and a mediastinal abscess, and the patient was diagnosed with esophageal perforation. Emergency esophagectomy was performed, with an esophageal fistula made at the cervix. Jejunostomy was then performed to enable enteral nutrition. Histological examination showed substantial necrosis at the middle intrathoracic esophagus, and the patient was diagnosed with esophageal necrosis leading to perforation. Five months after the esophagectomy, gastric conduit reconstruction through the retrosternal route was performed. The patient was able to resume food intake, and survived more than 1 year after this surgery. Here, we describe the successful management of this rare case of esophageal necrosis after TEVAR for ruptured traumatic aortic aneurysm.     

Anomalous origin of the left anterior descending artery from the pulmonary artery associated with bicuspid aortic valve and aortic coarctation

A 15-year-old boy presented with exertional palpitations and chest pain. Investigation revealed anomalous origin of his left anterior descending coronary artery from his pulmonary trunk causing myocardial ischaemia. He previously had aortic coarctation repair with known aortic root dilation and a bicuspid aortic valve. His left anterior descending artery was implanted into the aortic root using a Gortex interposition conduit. This represents an interesting combination of cardiac abnormalities for which repair required consideration of the requirement of further surgery in the future.     

Endovascular management of aortic coarctation

Surgical repair has a dramatic impact on the prognosis of aortic coarctation. However, in many units, endovascular repair by balloon angioplasty or stenting has become the primary treatment. Short-term results are excellent but there are few data on later outcome. Care needs to be exercised in patient selection, and although major complications are rare, when they do occur they may be devastating. This article reviews our current practice for the assessment selection and follow-up of these patients.