INFLAMMATORY ANEURYSMS OF THE THORACIC AO RTA - A SURGICAL VIEW

In the Western world, inflammatory aneurysms account for only 1 to 5 % , of all operated thoracic aorta aneurysms. Takayasu's disease is by f ar the commonest cause although all forms of aortitis may result in an eurysm formation. Usually observed in young patients, these aneurysms are suitable for often major surgery with results that are globally be tter than in degenerative or dissecting aneurysms. However, they pose, two specific problems: the progression of the inflammatory disease wh ich may require pre- and/or post-operative steroid therapy and that of the risk, at least in theory, of a late pseudo-aneurysm, which justif ies regular long-term follow-up after surgery.