TREATMENT OF PSEUDO-ANEURYSM OF THE ASCENDING AORTA UNDER CIRCULATORYARREST AND THE PORT-ACCESS SYSTEM

Pseudo-aneurysms of the ascending aorta after thoracic surgery are rar e and pose a problem of surgical strategy with respect to the approach , the myocardial protection and type of repair. The authors have solve d the problem by using a new technology, the Post-Access TM system, wh ich, by simply introducing a catheter into the femoral artery, allows endoaortic clamping, the administration of cardioplegic solution, and the drainage of the left heart chambers. The system was used with a go ad result for treating a pseudo-aneurysm of the proximal anastomosis o f a bypass between the ascending aorta and the innominate artery, limi ting the duration of circulatory arrest and reducing blood loss.