Aortopulmonary fistula is an extremely rare complication of aortic dissection. We report a case of a chronic dissecting giant aneurysm with an aortopulmonary fistula. A 78-year-old woman experienced sudden onset chest pain and oppression. Chest X-ray showed ascending aortic and left ventricular enlargement and pulmonary congestion. Computed tomography (CT) confirmed the 100 mm ascending aortic aneurysm with dissection and aortopulmonary fistula. Operative repair was performed under profound hypothermic circulatory arrest with selective cerebral perfusion. The proximal and distal end were obliterated using a gelatin-resorcin-formaldehyde tissue glue and reinforced with a Teflon felt circumferential strip. The ascending aorta was replaced by a 30 mm coated Dacron vascular graft and the aortopulmonary fistula was closed with pledgeted vertical mattress suture. Postoperative CT showed a normally functioning vascular implant without any sign of aortopulmonary shunt or pulmonary artery stenosis.

Download full-text PDF

Source

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

aortopulmonary fistula
16
chronic dissecting
8
dissecting giant
8
giant aneurysm
8
pulmonary artery
8
ascending aortic
8
aortopulmonary
5
[rupture chronic
4
aneurysm pulmonary
4
artery report
4

Similar Publications

Article Synopsis
  • A case of an aortopulmonary fistula related to a post-operative aortic pseudoaneurysm is discussed, which is a rare complication following aortic surgery.
  • The patient, a 60-year-old man with severe heart failure unresponsive to diuretics, was diagnosed after advanced imaging techniques revealed shunt blood flow from the aortic aneurysm to the pulmonary artery.
  • The study emphasizes the effectiveness of transesophageal echocardiography for accurately diagnosing this condition, as it provides better details than routine imaging methods like CT angiography.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Aortic pseudoaneurysms are a type of contained rupture where most of the aortic wall is breached, leaving only a thin rim of the remaining wall or adventitia to hold the blood. This condition carries a high risk of rupture and potentially fatal complications. Typically, patients present with chest pain; haemoptysis can also occur, though rarely.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The acquired communication between the aorta and the pulmonary artery is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition. Its diagnosis is challenging and may require a multimodality imaging approach.

Case Summary: A 67-year-old Caucasian man, admitted for acute respiratory failure unresponsive to medical therapy and non-invasive ventilation, was diagnosed with an aortopulmonary fistula (APF) complicating a pseudoaneurysm of the aortic root.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!