Non-infected false aneurysm of the ascending aorta eight years after aortic valve surgery

In this report, the development of false aneurysm of the ascending aorta 8 years following the repair of congenital aortic stenosis is described. A 14-year-old male patient was found to have congenital aortic stenosis in 1966 after medical check-up and subsequently operated upon. In the postoperative period, he was complicated by remittent fever of 1 month's duration, which was finally controlled by antibiotics. Arterial blood cultures taken on a few occasions were negative. Eight years and 5 months after surgery, he was noticed to have a mediastinal mass around the base of the heart and the presence of false aneurysm was confirmed by aortography. Aneurysmectomy was carried out almost 9 years after the previous operation, and it was found that aneurysm was arising from the suture line of the aortotomy with communication to the aorta at the bottom of the aneurysm. Postoperatively, patient's recovery was uneventful and was discharged on the 23rd postoperative day. Etiology, timing of operation and techniques utilizing hypothermia and/or circulatory arrest are discussed.