Abstract
Pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta is a rare complication of cardiac
surgery occurring in less than 0.5% of cases1. Deep
sternal wound infections (DSWI) increase the likelihood of aortic
pseudoaneurysm. An ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm has high morbidity
and the mortality rate has ranged from 29%-46% 2–4.
We report a complex patient who underwent an aortic valve replacement
(AVR) at an outside hospital complicated by DSWI requiring bilateral
pectoralis major flap coverage. Months later, he was transferred to our
institution with acute swelling of his sternum, diagnosed as massive
aortic pseudoaneurysm originating from the cannulation site.