Giant pseudoaneurysm of the innominate artery late after surgical repair of type-A aortic dissection

A 49-year-old man was admitted to our department 6 months after emergent surgery for type-A acute aortic dissection. A chest computed tomography-scan revealed a huge aneurysm originating from the proximal aortic arch, strongly adherent to the upper part of the sternum. Extracorporeal circulation was instituted first, and chest was reopened in circulatory arrest. The mass was a giant pseudoaneurysm originating from a laceration at the base of the innominate artery. Due to tissue fragility and complete distortion of the origin of right carotid and subclavian arteries, we performed an extra-anatomic ascending aorta-to-right carotid artery bypass, followed by Teflon-reinforced suture of the proximal artery stumps. The postoperative course was uneventful.     

Successful endovascular repair of aortic rupture caused by axillary intra-aortic balloon insertion for a Jehovah's Witness patient with situs inversus anomaly

We report the successful endovascular repair of a rare case of aortic rupture caused by axillary intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) insertion failure. A 38-year-old Jehovah's Witness female with situs inversus totalis was referred to our hospital for acute decompensated heart failure. We placed an axillary IABP for circulatory support. However, an exchange was required due to balloon malfunction (kinked driveline). Unfortunately, the exchange was complicated by an iatrogenic aortic rupture along with a large hematoma compressing the trachea. Emergent endovascular repair was performed successfully without any blood transfusion. Postoperative computed tomography showed a successfully repaired aorta and resolving hematoma.     

Intraoperative retrograde TEVAR to control endoleak after emergent total arch replacement and frozen elephant trunk repair for ruptured Kommerell's diverticulum

We report an emergent complex hybrid repair of a type A intramural hematoma with a tear of the aortic arch at the site of Kommerell's diverticulum and an aberrant right subclavian artery. We identified a type IA endoleak intraoperatively, which was managed immediately with proximal extension. Performing this operation in the hybrid operating room facilitated optimal surgical management.     

Acute heart failure due to large intimal flap associated with chronic aortic dissection

Acute heart failure from aortic stenosis secondary to chronic aortic dissection is very rare. We describe a case of acute heart failure secondary to aortic arch stenosis resulting from subacute type A aortic dissection. Resection of large thickened immobile intimal flap with total aortic arch replacement was successful, and cardiac function improved.     

Aortopulmonary paraganglioma masquerading as an anterior mediastinal mass: A fine line between confusion and chaos!

Mediastinal paragangliomas are exceedingly rare neuroendocrine tumors of chromaffin cell origin. They are rarely endocrinologically functional, but complications often arise due to mass effect within the mediastinal cavity. We present a case of a 67-year-old gentleman referred to our unit for excision of a large mediastinal mass, thought to be thymic in origin, but without confirmatory preoperative histological diagnosis. Intra-operatively it became clear that the tumor was intra-pericardial, originating from aortic tissue, mandating pericardectomy, and ascending aortic replacement on cardiopulmonary bypass for its complete excision. Histopathological evaluation later confirmed the mass to be an aorticopulmonary paraganglioma.     

“Turn downs” in aortic emergencies: Reassurance or uncertainty?

“Turn‐down” rate has been reported to have a significant influence on outcomes, and being turned down for an operation is associated with significant short‐term mortality risk. A study examining the impact of the pandemic on the “turn‐down” rates of acute aortic syndromes in the United Kingdom reported an overall “turn‐down” rate of  7.3% in the early part of the pandemic. This review examines the significance of “turn‐downs” in this setting and scrutinizes the adequacy of reporting this complex variable.