SUPERIOR VENA-CAVA SYNDROME CAUSED BY ANEURYSM OF THE INNOMINATE-ARTERY

Isolated aneurysms or ruptures of the innominate artery are rare cause s of the superior vena cava syndrome. We report on a patient who suffe red an isolated acute expansion and rupture of an innominate artery an eurysm that precipitated a dramatic superior vena cava syndrome. Immed iate repair using modern surgical techniques, cardiopulmonary bypass, profound hypothermia, circulatory arrest, and a Dacron graft rapidly c ured the patient of this deadly syndrome.