Delayed presentation of massive haemoptysis from aortic aneurysm after aortic coarctation repair (a case report)

Massive haemoptysis refers to coughing and losing a huge amount of blood in a 24-hour period. It's a life-threatening condition with high mortality rate.

We report a rare case of massive haemoptysis in a 60-year-old female patient who had aortic coarctation repair 30 years ago. Her Computed tomography (CT) angiography showed huge aneurysmal dilatation and dissection of the descending thoracic aorta at the site of the repair. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) was done, but the patient had recurrent massive haemoptysis due to extension of the aneurysm to the aortic arch. The patient then underwent one stage surgical right to left carotid artery shunt followed by TEVAR to the aortic arch covering the left common carotid artery. The procedure was successful, and haemoptysis was controlled without any complications.

In this case the high index of suspicion for thoracic aortic aneurysm in patients presenting with haemoptysis and prior history of coarctation repair were demonstrated.

massive haemoptysis in patients who had aortic coarctation repair is an alarming sign, and surgical intervention is required. TEVAR has become one of the best approaches for managing aortic aneurysm and has replaced open repair.