FALSE ANEURYSM OF THE RIGHT INTERNAL MAMMARY ARTERY - LATE RUPTURE AFTER STERNOTOMY

This report describes a late, near-fatal rupture of a false aneurysm o i the right internal mammary artery subsequent to coronary artery bypa ss grafting. The patient presented to us in shock due to hemorrhaging, 8 weeks after bypass surgery that had been complicated by sternal fra cture, dehiscence and infection. Emergent thoracotomy and suture ligat ion controlled the hemorrhage. To the best of our knowledge, this is t he Ist reported case of late massive hemorrhage caused by injury to an internal mammary artery alter sternotomy. The literature is reviewed and discussed.