Ruptured coronary artery aneurysm--a rare cause of hemopericardium

Large coronary artery aneurysms may interfere with coronary flow, cause compression, and/or may rupture. Circulatory shock from thrombosis and rupture of an aneurysm of the right coronary artery in a patient is reported here. This formation, 7 cm in diameter, was visible by computed tomogram but the diagnosis was revealed only during surgery. The successful treatment, using aneurysmectomy and reconstruction with an interposed saphenous vein graft, is described.