Outcomes of surgical repairs for thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysms after cardiovascular surgery

A thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm is a life-threatening complication after cardiovascular surgery. We reviewed the short- and long-term outcomes following the surgical repair of thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysms.

We reviewed 20 patients (mean age, 63.3 ± 10.8 years) who underwent surgical repair for a thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm after cardiovascular surgery over the past 17 years. The mean follow-up period was 5.7 ± 4.2 years and the rate of follow-up was 90.0%.

Ten patients were asymptomatic, and the remaining had preoperative symptoms (rupture, n = 4; dyspnea, n = 4; hemoptysis, n = 2; hoarseness, n = 1; chest pain, n = 1; anemia, n = 1; and jugular venous distension, n = 1). The interval between previous and present surgery was 14.9 ± 8.0 years. Although aortic injury with massive bleeding occurred during re-sternotomy, there were no hospital deaths, and all patients were discharged from our hospital. Late survival rates at 5 years and 10 years were 83.3% ± 8.8% and 72.9% ± 12.4%, respectively. There were five late deaths, and no aorta-related deaths.

Outcomes of surgical repair of thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysms are satisfactory. However, even in asymptomatic patients, lifelong patient follow-up is required.