Urgent Frozen Elephant Trunk for an Aortic Arch Pseudoaneurysm Secondary to Fractured Sternal Wire

Abstract

Pseudoaneurysms of the aorta are rare complications of cardiac surgery, and sternal re-entry to address the pathology is particularly challenging. In this case, we describe a rare presentation of thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm due to chronic erosion from a sternal wire, 10 years following the index operation. The patient was treated in two-stages, including carotid-subclavian bypass, followed by sternal re-entry with total arch replacement and frozen elephant trunk, employing cardiopulmonary bypass via femoral and axillary cannulation. Despite the high risks of rupture/haemorrhage associated with sternal re-entry, operative success for aortic pseudoaneurysms can be achieved with careful planning and safe bypass strategies.