Successful exclusion of large post-surgical pseudoaneurysms of the ascending aorta by a percutaneous approach

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Interventional Cardiology
• Medical Device Technology

Background:

• Pseudoaneurysms of the ascending aorta are rare but serious complications following cardiac surgery.
• Traditional surgical repair can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
• Minimally invasive percutaneous techniques are increasingly explored for complex cardiovascular pathologies.

Observation:

• Two patients, aged 60 and 63, presented with ascending aortic pseudoaneurysms.
• These pseudoaneurysms originated from cannulation sites or suture lines post-cardiac surgery.
• The pseudoaneurysms were successfully excluded percutaneously.

Findings:

• Amplatzer muscular ventricular septal defect occluders were utilized for the percutaneous exclusion.
• The procedure was technically successful in both reported cases.
• No immediate complications were reported during the percutaneous intervention.

Implications:

• Percutaneous closure with VSD occluders represents a viable, less invasive alternative to surgical repair for specific ascending aortic pseudoaneurysms.
• This approach may reduce operative risks and recovery times for selected patients.
• Further studies are warranted to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of this technique.