Recurrent rupture of an infected aortic arch

Tex Heart Inst J. 2010;37(5):591-3.

Abstract

Severe bacterial aortitis without an aneurysmal component is a rare but life-threatening problem that requires aggressive treatment to eliminate the infection and prevent recurrence. Herein, we present the case of a 58-year-old man who underwent patch repair of a nonaneurysmal aorta that had ruptured due to Staphylococcus aureus infection. Postoperatively, he experienced a recurrent rupture that required reoperation. We successfully performed wide-margin débridement followed by aortic arch replacement with a prosthetic vascular graft and omental flap.

Keywords: Anti-bacterial agents/therapeutic use; aorta, thoracic/microbiology/pathology; aortic diseases/complications/immunology/microbiology; disease progression; inflammation/pathology; omentum/transplantation; prosthesis-related infections/diagnosis/prevention & control/surgery; risk factors; staphylococcal infections/drug therapy/prevention & control/surgery; treatment outcome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Aorta, Thoracic / diagnostic imaging
  • Aorta, Thoracic / microbiology
  • Aorta, Thoracic / surgery*
  • Aortic Rupture / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Rupture / microbiology
  • Aortic Rupture / surgery*
  • Aortitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortitis / microbiology
  • Aortitis / surgery*
  • Aortography / methods
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation
  • Debridement
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Omentum / surgery
  • Recurrence
  • Reoperation
  • Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
  • Surgical Flaps
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents