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Updated: Oct 25, 2026

Modified Octopus Technique for Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Published on: August 1, 2025
Giant Ascending Aortic Aneurysm Diagnosed During Labor
Edgar Méndez Jiménez1, Maria Jose Lizano Villarreal1, Eduardo Induni López1
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Hospital México, Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS), San José, Costa Rica.
Background:
Giant ascending aortic aneurysms (AscAAs; >10 cm) are exceptionally rare and may remain clinically silent until catastrophic complications occur. We report the incidental diagnosis of a giant AscAA during labor in a previously asymptomatic young woman.
Case Summary:
A 20-year-old primigravid woman underwent emergency cesarean delivery for maternal hemodynamic and respiratory instability. Postpartum echocardiography (transthoracic echocardiography) revealed a 140-mm AscAA with severe aortic regurgitation and left ventricular dilatation; computed tomography angiography confirmed a maximum diameter of 125 mm. Three weeks later, she underwent a Bentall procedure. Femoral cannulation was established before sternotomy because of the aneurysm's proximity to the sternum. The aorta was safely cross-clamped proximal to the brachiocephalic trunk, avoiding circulatory arrest. Recovery was uneventful, and she has remained asymptomatic at the 4-month follow-up.
Discussion:
Giant AscAAs during pregnancy are extraordinarily uncommon and carry a high risk of rupture, dissection, and maternal mortality, requiring meticulous multidisciplinary planning.
Take-Home Message:
Early multimodality imaging and individualized surgical planning are essential for achieving favorable outcomes in this life-threatening condition.
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The average diameter of the aorta is approximately 2-3 cm, but the size can vary depending on the section of the aorta and the individual's age, sex, and body size. The aorta is...

