False aneurysm of ascending aortic cannulation site after cardiac surgery. Case report and literature review

Abstract

False ascending aortic aneurysm, as a complication in cardiac surgery, has an incidence of less than 0.5%, but a mortality that ranges from 6.7% to 60%. Aortic manipulation and infection are the main predisposing factors. Its clinical presentation is non-specific and may be found incidentally on subsequent check-ups. The case of a patient undergoing mitral valve surgery who was diagnosed with ascending aortic false aneurysm, eleven months after postoperative period, requiring emergency surgical treatment is presented. The surgery was performed using extra-mediastinal peripheral cannulation, without induced circulatory arrest or hypothermia for proper dissection. The case shows a technical version to face an uncommon but highly challenging disease as it needs re-interventions and successful surgical strategies.