Introduction:
Post-operative anastomotic pseudo-aneurysms are rare but potentially lethal complications after the Bentall procedure. When symptomatic or ruptured, expedited repair is warranted, and open surgery may carry significant bleeding risk, particularly when these lesions project anteriorly. As totally endovascular techniques are frequently limited owing to hostile anatomies, complex hybrid interventions are an alternative option in such scenarios.
Report:
A 53 year old man with a previous Bentall procedure performed 10 years previously for DeBakey type 1 dissection was admitted with chest pain. Computed tomography angiography revealed a distal anastomotic pseudo-aneurysm. Percutaneous pseudo-aneurysm occlusion with a septal occluder plug was performed initially, with significant clinical improvement but without total sac thrombosis. The patient was discharged under strict surveillance, but six months later was re-admitted owing to hoarseness and new onset of chest pain. As the patient developed acute pain and compressive symptoms, urgent treatment was required. As the pseudo-aneurysm projected anteriorly into the posterior aspect of sternum, significantly bleeding risk was anticipated with redo sternotomy. A hybrid repair was then planned, with a full supra-aortic trunk debranching (carotid-carotid and left carotid-subclavian bypass) and zone 0 TEVAR with a single parallel graft to the brachiocephalic trunk. The patient was discharged 10 days later. Total aneurysm exclusion was achieved, with no complications reported after six months follow up.
Discussion:
Hybrid procedures may represent a safe and feasible alternative to open surgery in symptomatic ascending aortic pseudo-aneurysms. However, long term follow up studies are required to confirm the durability of these procedures.