Aortic Pseudoaneurysm Complicated by Aortopulmonary Fistula

Abstract

A 78-year-old woman presented with an abrupt onset of chest pain and dyspnea. Fourteen years before admission, she had undergone aortic root and valve replacement with the Bentall-de Bono continuous-suture wrap-inclusion technique because of an aneurysm of the ascending aorta and severe aortic valve regurgitation. Physical examination revealed signs of congestive heart failure and poor peripheral perfusion. The admission radiograph (Figure 1) showed lung congestion predominantly in the right lung, bilateral pleural effusion, elevation of the left hemidiaphragm, tracheal shift to the right side, and aortic arch calcification. The ECG (Figure 2) revealed sinus tachycardia at 111 bpm, frequent premature atrial beats, and repolarization …