Thoracic Aortic Pseudoaneurysm Following Noncardiovascular Surgery
Thoracic Aortic Pseudoaneurysm Following Noncardiovascular Surgery
Pseudoaneurysm of the thoracic aorta is an extremely rare and potentially fatal condition that can mimic acute coronary syndrome, aortic dissection, or pulmonary embolism. Chest trauma and aortic surgery are the usual predisposing factors. Rarely, noncardiovascular thoracic surgeries can result in aortic pseudoaneurysm secondary to unrecognized perioperative injury. Clinical presentation is very variable, and a high index of suspicion is necessary for diagnosis. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance angiography is the preferred diagnostic test. In this paper, we report the case of a 58-year-old woman who presented with atypical chest pain due to a thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm, most likely a result of previous nonvascular surgery.
Acute coronary syndrome, pericarditis, pleuritis, aortic dissection, and pulmonary embolism are the major differentials in patients presenting with chest pain. However, pseudoaneurysm of the thoracic aorta, an extremely rare and potentially fatal condition, can closely mimic these conditions. Surgeries involving the aorta, like repair of coarctation, aneurysm, dissection, or aortic cannulation during cardiopulmonary bypass and trauma, are the usual predisposing factors for thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm. However, on rare occasions, it can occur following noncardiovascular thoracic surgeries.
Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
Pseudoaneurysm of the thoracic aorta is an extremely rare and potentially fatal condition that can mimic acute coronary syndrome, aortic dissection, or pulmonary embolism. Chest trauma and aortic surgery are the usual predisposing factors. Rarely, noncardiovascular thoracic surgeries can result in aortic pseudoaneurysm secondary to unrecognized perioperative injury. Clinical presentation is very variable, and a high index of suspicion is necessary for diagnosis. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance angiography is the preferred diagnostic test. In this paper, we report the case of a 58-year-old woman who presented with atypical chest pain due to a thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm, most likely a result of previous nonvascular surgery.
Introduction
Acute coronary syndrome, pericarditis, pleuritis, aortic dissection, and pulmonary embolism are the major differentials in patients presenting with chest pain. However, pseudoaneurysm of the thoracic aorta, an extremely rare and potentially fatal condition, can closely mimic these conditions. Surgeries involving the aorta, like repair of coarctation, aneurysm, dissection, or aortic cannulation during cardiopulmonary bypass and trauma, are the usual predisposing factors for thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm. However, on rare occasions, it can occur following noncardiovascular thoracic surgeries.
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