Surgical management of an innominate artery aneurysm

: Aneurysms of the innominate artery are rare, representing only 3% of all aneurysms of the supra-aortic trunks. Early treatment of these aneurysms is recommended in order to prevent the occurrence of rupture and/or embolization to the brain or peripheral circulation. The authors report the case of an asymptomatic patient, with an aneurysm of the brachiocephalic trunk with 3.2 cm of greatest diameter, associated to ectasia of the right subclavian artery and common carotid double kinking. A bypass was performed from the ascending aorta to the carotid and subclavian arteries using a Dacron bifurcated prosthesis, through median sternotomy and right supraclavicular approach, to exclude the aneurysm. A review of the literature is made and the clinical features and surgical treatment of such aneurysms are described and discussed.