Staphylococcal Aortic PseudoAneurysm: Treatment Employing Ascending Aorta-Abdominal Aorta Bypass Graft

An adult patient developed infection of the anastomosis after resection of an isthmic coarctation, with subsequent formation of a pseudoaneurysm. He was treated successfully by an ascending aorta-abdominal aorta bypass graft. The graft was placed retrosternally and passed through the diaphragm into the retroperitoneal space. After surgery the patient developed systolic hypertension. A faint murmur was heard over the chest and abdomen, caused by the turbulent flow through the graft.