False aneurysm of the ascending aorta following aortic valve replacement.
False aneurysm of the ascending aorta is a rare and life-threatening complication of open heart surgery, usually occurring late after operation. Echocardiography, especially transesophageal echocardiography, is a non-invasive method of examination which can be very helpful in its diagnosis. Deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest allow a bloodless field during surgery and provide an adequate patient protection. Infection is a very well known predisposing factor, but cystic medial necrosis of the aortic wall also seems to play a role in this complication. We report three cases, two of them had cystic medial necrosis and the presence of infection could be proved in none.
Service de Transplantation Cardio-Thoracique, Hopital Arnaud de Villeneuve, Montpellier, France.
B
B
Albat
P F
PF
Leclercq
P
P
MessnerPellenc
E
E
Missov
A
A
Thevenet
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000150:complications; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000601:surgery; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000601:surgery*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D003560:Cysts / Q000150:complications; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications