Two-stage repair of the intrathoracic portion of a left subclavian artery aneurysm after previous coronary artery bypass surgery

Abstract

Introduction: We present a case of a 70-year-old patient who underwent successful two-stage repair of an intrathoracic left subclavian artery aneurysm (SAA) and who had previously undergone CABG. Case presentation: The patient had previously undergone three-vessel coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) repair with the use of the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to the left anterior descending artery (LAD). Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed as a backup option in case of potential intra-operative LIMA-LAD bypass occlusion. Owing to the impossibility of hybrid repair due to a short proximal landing zone and aortic arch anomaly (bovine type), the vascular surgery review board decided to perform two-stage open surgery. Firstly, the patient underwent a left carotid-subclavian (C-S) bypass with the Dacron graft, with the application of the standard supraclavicular approach. After a few days, the second procedure, through the left posterolateral thoracotomy was performed. The left subclavian artery (SA) was ligated distally to the SAA but proximally to the origin of the LIMA. The distal aortic arch at the site of the left SAA was clamped partially and the aneurysm was excised. The defect of the aortic arch was sutured and reinforced with a felt patch. Postoperatively, the patient had a good recovery, without any signs of myocardial injury or any surgery-related issues. Conclusion: Careful planning and two-stage open surgical treatment of the left SAA, first with a left carotid-subclavian bypass, followed by aneurysm exclusion and suture of the outer aortic arch curvature may be a treatment option for patients not amenable to hybrid treatment.