Aortic aneurysms: delayed complications of coarctation of the aorta repair using Dacron patch aortoplasty.
Coarctation of the aorta is a diaphragmlike ridge narrowing the lumen of the proximal descending aorta. Although surgical repair has proven to be a successful treatment of coarctation of the aorta, immediate and delayed postoperative complications are not rare. Of particular interest is the occurrence of aneurysms after Dacron patch aortoplasty--often decades after surgery. Delayed complication rates of up to 50% have been reported. We describe the clinical-radiologic presentations of 3 late complications of Dacron patch angioplasty: aortobronchopleural fistula, leaking pseudoaneurysm, and giant descending aortic aneurysm--all successfully treated with bypass grafts. Because of the high incidence of delayed complications, lifelong surveillance is necessary. The chest x-ray may be the first clue to a delayed complication. Knowledge of radiologic findings is helpful in the detection of complications-before they become symptomatic. Transesophageal echocardiography, computed tomography angiography, or magnetic resonance imaging with multiplanar reconstruction is diagnostic.
Piciucchi
Sara
S
Department of Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Zablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI 53226-3596, USA.
Goodman
Lawrence R
LR
Earing
Michael
M
Nicolosi
Alfred
A
Almassi
Hossein
H
Tisol
William
W
Shannon-Stone
Meg
M
D000328:Adult; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D001017:Aortic Coarctation / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D001027:Aortography; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D013908:Thoracotomy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates