title: Surgical management of a left main stem coronary artery aneurysm.
abstract: Left main stem aneurysms are rarely described and the optimal treatment is controversially discussed. A majority of these patients undergo medical treatment with antiplatelet or anticoagulation drugs. Surgery is just recommended in symptomatic patients or when there is the risk of thromboembolic events or rupture. We report on a 51-year-old patient suffering from intermittent angina pectoris in whom an aneurysm of the left main stem was diagnosed by coronary angiography. The patient underwent successful surgical management with aneurysm closure and reconstruction of the left main stem by a segment of the great saphenous vein. This report summarizes the main treatment options for left main stem aneurysms and discusses the role of cardiac surgery for this rare disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Aachen, Aachen, Germany. schristiansen@ukaachen.de
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Christiansen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Klocke
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Autschbach
mesh_terms: D003323:Coronary Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography