Unusual Presentation of Heart Failure Secondary to Ruptured Aneurysmal Sinus of Valsalva: A Case Report

Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm (SOVA) arises from an abnormal dilation of the aortic root, leading to enlargement between the aortic annulus and the sinotubular junction. Although often presenting without symptoms, these aneurysms bear the potential for life-threatening complications, primarily from the looming risk of rupture. We present the case of a 42-year-old Malay gentleman with a history of bilateral pedal edema and dyspnea on exertion who was diagnosed with a ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm. The patient underwent successful surgical repair of the aneurysm, leading to symptomatic improvement and favorable outcomes. This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention in managing this uncommon condition.

Endovascular treatment of ruptured lobulated anterior communicating artery aneurysms:A retrospective study of 24 patients

BACKGROUND Lobulated intracranial aneurysm is a special type of aneurysm with at least one additional cyst in the neck or body of the aneurysm.Lobulated intracranial aneurysm is a complex aneurysm with complex morphology and structure and weak tumor wall,which is an independent risk factor for rupture and hemorrhage.Lobular aneurysms located in the anterior communicating artery complex account for 36.9%of all intracranial lobular aneurysms.Due to its special anatomical structure,both craniotomy and endovascular treatment are more difficult.Compared with single-capsule aneurysms,craniotomy for lobular intracranial aneurysms has a higher risk and complication rate.AIM To investigate the efficacy and safety of endovascular treatment for ruptured lobulated anterior communicating artery aneurysm(ACoAA).METHODS Patients with ruptured lobulated ACoAA received endovascular treatment in Sanming First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University from June 2020 to June 2022 were retrospectively included.Their demographic,clinical and imaging characteristics,endovascular treatment methods and follow-up results were collected.RESULTS A total of 24 patients with ruptured lobulated ACoAA were included,including 9 males(37.5%)and 15 females(62.5%).Their age was 56.2±8.9 years old(range 39-74).The time from rupture to endovascular treatment was 10.9±12.5 h.The maximum diameter of the aneurysms was 5.1±1.0 mm and neck width were 3.0±0.7 mm.Nineteen patients(79.2%)were double-lobed and 5(20.8%)were multilobed.Fisher's grade:Grade 2 in 16 cases(66.7%),grade 3 in 6 cases(25%),and grade 4 in 2 cases(8.3%).Hunt-Hess grade:Grade 0-2 in 5 cases(20.8%),grade 3-5 in 19 cases(79.2%).Glasgow Coma Scale score:9-12 in 14 cases(58.3%),13-15 in 10 cases(41.7%).Immediately postprocedural Raymond-Roy grade:grade 1 in 23 cases(95.8%),grade 2 in 1 case(4.2%).Raymond-Roy grade in imaging follow-up for 2 wk to 3 months:grade 1 in 23 cases(95.8%),grade 2 in 1 case(4.2%).Followup for 2 to 12 months showed that 21 patients(87.5%)had good functional outcomes(modified Rankin Scale score≤2),and there were no deaths.CONCLUSION Endovascular treatment is a safe and effective treatment for ruptured lobulated AcoAA.

Ruptured Splenic Artery Aneurysm (SAA) in an Elderly Patient with Hypercoagulability: A Very Vague Presentation

Here, we discuss a 78-year-old woman with symptoms of shortness of breath and intermittent productive cough, which worsened over time. She had a history of Factor V Leiden and unprovoked pulmonary embolism (PE) and was on lifelong warfarin. The patient was found to have a widened mediastinum and a small left-sided pleural effusion on chest X-ray, leading to CT aortogram to assess for aortic pathology. While in the CT scanner, she experienced an acute deterioration and went into shock. The initial diagnosis was anaphylactic reaction to the contrast agent, but the CT images revealed an active bleeding in the left upper quadrant, possibly of splenic origin. The patient was stabilized with aggressive resuscitation measures and transferred to a referral hospital for urgent surgery. The surgery revealed a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm (SAA), and the patient was taken to the intensive care unit (ICU) for further management. However, she developed a large infarct in the left occipital lobe and passed away after six days. The case highlights the significance of recognizing the symptoms and signs of SAA and then taking a multidisciplinary approach in managing SAA patients, particularly those with hypercoagulability (Graphic 1).

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome following uneventful clipping of an unruptured intracranial aneurysm:A case report

BACKGROUND Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome(PRES)is characterized mainly by occipital and parietal lobe involvement,which can be reversible within a few days.Herein,we report a rare case of PRES that developed after craniotomy for an unruptured intracranial aneurysm(UIA).CASE SUMMARY A 59-year-old man underwent clipping surgery for the treatment of UIA arising from the left middle cerebral artery.Clipping surgery was performed uneventfully,and he regained consciousness quickly immediately after the surgery.At the 4th hour after surgery,he developed a disorder of consciousness and aphasia.Magnetic resonance imaging revealed cortical and subcortical T2/FLAIR hyperintensities in the parietal,occipital,and frontal lobes ipsilaterally,without restricted diffusion,consistent with unilateral PRES.With conservative treatment,his symptoms and radiological findings almost completely disappeared within weeks.In our case,the important causative factor of PRES was suspected to be a sudden increase in cerebral perfusion pressure associated with temporary M1 occlusion.CONCLUSION Our unique case highlights that,to our knowledge,this is the second report of PRES developing after craniotomy for the treatment of UIA.Surgeons must keep PRES in mind as one of the causes of perioperative neurological abnormality following clipping of an UIA.

Interobserver reliability of computed tomography angiography in the assessment of ruptured intracranial aneurysm and impact on patient management

BACKGROUND Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is an emergency that can lead to a high mortality rate and many severe complications.It is critical to make a rapid radiological evaluation of ruptured intracranial aneurysms(RIAs)to determine the appropriate surgical treatment.AIM To assess the reliability of computed tomography angiography(CTA)in assessing different features of ruptured intracranial aneurysm and its impact on patient management.METHODS The final cohort of this study consisted of 146 patients with RIAs(75 male and 71 female)who underwent cerebral CTA.Their age ranged from 25 to 80,and the mean age±SD was 57±8.95 years.Two readers were asked to assess different features related to the aneurysm and perianeurysmal environment.Inter-observer agreement was measured using kappa statistics.Imaging data extracted from non-contrast computed tomography and CTA were considered to categorize the study population into two groups according to the recommended therapeutic approach.RESULTS The inter-observer agreement of both reviewers was excellent for the detection of aneurysms(K=0.95,P=0.001),aneurysm location(K=0.98,P=0.001),and(K=0.98,P=0.001),morphology(K=0.92,P=0.001)and margins(K=0.95,P=0.001).There was an excellent interobserver agreement for the measurement of aneurysm size(K=0.89,P=0.001),neck(K=0.85,P=0.001),and dome-to-neck ratio(K=0.98,P=0.001).There was an excellent inter-observer agreement for the detection of other aneurysm-related features such as thrombosis(K=0.82,P=0.001),calcification(K=1.0,P=0.001),bony landmark(K=0.89,P=0.001)and branch incorporation(K=0.91,P=0.001)as well as perianeurysmal findings including vasospasm(K=0.91,P=0.001),perianeurysmal cyst(K=1.0,P=0.001)and associated vascular lesions(K=0.83,P=0.001).Based on imaging features,87 patients were recommended to have endovascular treatment,while surgery was recommended in 59 patients.71.2%of the study population underwent the recommended therapy.CONCLUSION CTA is a reproducible promising diagnostic imaging modality for detecting and characterizing cerebral aneurysms.

Fatal Cataclysmic Otorrhagia and Epistaxis Due to a Ruptured Aneurysm of the Petrous Internal Carotid Artery: A Case Report

Background: Aneurysms of the internal carotid artery within the petrous temporal bone are extremely rare;their true incidence is unknown. The exact cause is unclear: they may be congenital or result from trauma, infection, or radiation. Aim: We report a case of massive otorrhagia and epistaxis from a ruptured aneurysm of the petrous internal carotid artery. Case Presentation: A 34-year-old man presented to our department for the first time with repeated left otorrhagia ongoing for 5 years, left sided pulsatile tinnitus and left conductive hearing loss. In his history, we noted a right hemi-corporeal deficit of sudden onset one month ago and the head-CT showed a left frontoparietal subarachnoid hemorrhage without any visualised vascular malformation. Otomicroscopy showed a pulsatile mass visible at the posterior part of the hypotympanum. There was a right-sided hemiparesis estimated at 2/5 with no disorder of the sensitivity. After hemodynamic stabilization, the patient was discharged from the hospital and treatment was scheduled in interventional radiology and neurosurgery unit. Unfortunately the patient presented at home with a cataclysmic hemorrhage by massive otorrhagia and epistaxis and arrived dead at the emergency unit. Conclusion: The treatment of a petrous carotid aneurysm must be carried out quickly considering the risk of rupture leading to a cataclysmic hemorrhage that can be rapidly life threatening.

Ruptured gastric artery aneurysms in polyarteritis nodosa successfully treated with embolization

Dear editor,Polyarteritis nodosa(PAN) is a rare form of vasculitis involving small-and medium-sized vessels in multiple organs. Severe gastrointestinal(GI) hemorrhage in PAN due to multiple ruptures of aneurysms of arteries is uncommon and life-threatening.

Clinical Efficacy of Shenmai Injection in the Treatment of Cerebral Vasospasm after Ruptured Aneurysm Surgery

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect of Shenmai Injection on postoperative cerebral vasospasm in patients with ruptured aneurysms. Methods: Seventy patients undergoing craniotomy for ruptured aneurysms in our hospital were selected as study subjects and randomly divided into control (n = 33) and research (n = 37) groups, they were treated with nimodipine and nimodipine combined with Shenmai injection after operation. The blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) before and at 1, 3, 7, 11 and 14 days after surgery and the incidence of cerebral vasospasm during these days were compared, and the GCS scores at 14 days postoperatively and GOS scores at 6 months postoperatively were compared between the two groups. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the occurrence of cerebral vasospasm, GCS or GOS scores between the two groups (P > 0.05), but the period of postoperative cerebral vasospasm in the study group was significantly shorter than that in the control group. Conclusion: Shenmai injection has the effect of shortening the cycle of occurrence of cerebral vasospasm after the operation of ruptured aneurysms, promoting patients to recover as early as possible and reducing their physical and mental burden.

Diagnosis of ruptured superior mesenteric artery aneurysm mimicking a pancreatic mass

Aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms of the superior mesenteric artery are potentially lethal and should be treated as urgently as possible.In a 52-year-old man with occasional epigastric pain,we accidentally discovered a superior mesenteric artery aneurysm that was ruptured with spontaneous tamponade in the uncinate process and in the head of the pancreas.The ruptured aneurysm had a heterogeneous appearance due to its thrombotic and hemorrhagic content,and it simulated a voluminous mass in the head and uncinate process of the pancreas,associated with mild dilatation of the main pancreatic duct.Recent advances in multidetector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have enabled radiologists to develop a correct diagnosis of mesenteric aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms of the visceral branches of the abdominal aorta,and to differentiate this diagnosis from that of pancreatic or peripancreatic masses;angiography is currently used to confirm a diagnosis and to develop therapeutic treatments.

Supraceliac Aortic Clamping for Repair of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Patients with Short Aortic Neck Length

Objective: Prompt bleeding control with proximal aortic clamping and subsequent aortic repair are very important for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. However, unsuitable anatomy, such as short aortic neck length, not only disturbs the means to an expeditious repair, but may also increase morbidity and mortality. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of supraceliac aortic clamping for improving surgical outcomes for patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, who have a short aortic neck length. Method: Between April 2010 and September 2015, eighteen patients underwent emergent open surgical repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Eight patients with a short aortic neck length underwent supraceliac aortic clamping, and 10 underwent infrarenal aortic clamping. Results: The mean supraceliac aortic clamping time was 30 ± 7 minutes. There was 1 operative death in the infrarenal aortic clamping group due to respiratory failure, and the overall operative mortality was 6%. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups with respect to postoperative complication rates or mortality. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in variables of renal function between the 2 groups, through-out the study period. Conclusion: Supraceliac aortic clamping was associated with minimal mortality and morbidity, but not with harmful effects on postoperative renal function. Thus, supraceliac aortic clamping can be safely applied for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm with short aortic neck length.

Clipping versus Coiling in Ruptured Aneurysms of the Anterior Cerebral Circulation

Objective: To evaluate and compare the outcomes of microsurgical clipping and endovascular coiling of ruptured anterior cerebral circulation aneurysms. Methods: The current study retrospectively included 61 patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), treated by clipping or coiling for ruptured aneurysms located in anterior circulation. Anatomic outcome and post-operative ischemic events were evaluated. The primary clinical outcomes were evaluated as operative complications while the secondary clinical outcome was evaluated by modified Rankin scale (mRS) at discharge. Results: Of 61 ruptured aneurysms, 47 and 14 were treated by surgery and coiling, respectively. The average follow-up duration was 19.1 ± 18.6 months for clipping and 21.7 ± 14.8 months for coiling. Complete occlusion was greater in surgery group (80.8%) than endovascular group (21.4%). Re-growth occurred in 2 cases of the coiling group only. Ischemic events were encountered in both groups;silent ones were higher in coiling group (21.4%) than in clipping group (6.3%), while symptomatic ones were higher in the clipping group (49%). Good outcome (mRS 0 - 2) was 51% and 71.4% after clipping and coiling respectively. Postoperative hospital period was longer after clipping (P = 0.04). Conclusions: For anterior circulation ruptured aneurysms, both treatments are feasible, coiling showed lower rate of morbidity while clipping results were better regarding durability and recurrence. Coil embolization may be preferred, which is the current point proved by the RCT like ISAT, but if you choose the patients carefully and find out the optimal candidate for the clipping, the clipping is still enough feasible as a mainstream.

Developing a Scale for Measuring Uncertainty in Patients with Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms Undergoing Endovascular Coiling

A measure called the Uncertainty in Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysm Patients Undergoing Endovascular Coiling Scale (UUIACS) was developed and its validity and reliability were examined. The 49 questions that comprised the original draft of the UUIACS were created based on interview data. Based on data from 172 participants, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted. As a result of exploratory factor analysis, the UUIACS e retained 17 items and extracted four factors (“Lack of decision-making cues”, “Lack of information and complexity of information interpretation”, “The ambiguous nature of the disease”, and “The unpredictable living with UIA”). All of the UUIACS items showed adequate internal consistency. Between the UUIAC scale and the Universal Uncertainty in Illness Scale (UUIS), the Health Locus of Control (HLC) scale, and the SF-36v2&reg (Japanese version), positive correlations were found between the UUIACS and UUIS, and the HLC scale at a 1% significance level indicating concurrent validity. According to confirmatory factor analysis, the UUIACS had an acceptable goodness of fit. Given these findings, the UUIACS was judged to have satisfied the criteria for use in a clinical setting, although further investigation was required.

Unusual upper gastrointestinal bleeding: Ruptured superior mesenteric artery aneurysm in rheumatoid arthritis

This case report describes an unusual case of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding caused by a ruptured superior mesenteric artery (SMA) aneurysm in the duodenum in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. The patient presented with UGI bleeding and hemorrhagic shock. Emergency UGI endoscopy could not identify the source of the bleeding because of excessive blood clots under the second portion of the duodenum. An SMA aneurysm with active contrast extravasation was diagnosed by computed tomography. The aneurysm, together with the fourth portion of the duodenum and the proximal portion of the jejunum, was surgically resected, and the SMA was skeletonized. On postoperative day 15, the patient was discharged from hospital under satisfactory conditions. Rheumatoid arthritis has been known to cause a wide spectrum of manifestations, and an SMA aneurysm is an unusual extra-articular manifestation. An SMA aneurysm rupture presenting as upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a rare complication with a high mortality rate. The clinician must be alert to this potential issue to achieve rapid diagnostic confirmation, and immediate surgical or radiological intervention.

Biomechanical Considerations in the Unruptured Cerebral Aneurysm Study (UCAS Japan): Rupture Risk and True Stress of Wall

When an unruptured aneurysm is found, deciding whether to operate or follow up is one of the most important issues. There are guidelines for making the best final decision on treatment, taking into account the effectiveness of diagnostic and therapeutic devices and the risk-benefit ratio of patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. The guidelines evidence-based of large clinical data for this purpose are presented by national medical societies. As one of the rupture risk indicators, there is the hazard risk ratio derived by the UCAS Japan research group based on the statistical method of 6697 aneurysms in 5720 patients with cerebral aneurysms of 3 mm or more. Therefore, we investigated the biomechanical significance of this hazard risk ratio using a spherical aneurysm model. It was revealed that 1) the reason why the frequency of aneurysm rupture is relatively high up to about 10 mm, 2) the UCAS hazard risk ratio corresponds to stress of the aneurysm wall, and the true stress can be calculated by multiplying the patient’s blood pressure, and 3) the factors that cause the daughter’s sac (irregular protrusion of the aneurysm wall). In addition, our two methods for measuring the strength of the blood vessel wall of an individual patient were described.

Ruptured gastric artery aneurysm:An uncommon manifestation of microscopic polyangiitis

Gastric artery aneurysm is a rare and lethal condition,and is caused by inflammatory or degenerative vasculopathies.We describe herein the clinical course of a patient with a ruptured gastric artery aneurysm associated with microscopic polyangiitis.Absence of vasculitic changes in the aneurysm resected and negative results of autoantibodies interfered with our diagnostic process.We should have adopted an interventional radiology and initiated steroid therapy promptly to rescue the patient.

Spontaneous Disappearance of a Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysm

The spontaneous disappearance of a ruptured intracranial aneurysm is unusual and its mechanism remains incompletely understood. However, several hypotheses are put forward and are mostly found in Virchow’s triad. We report the case of a man who suffered subarachnoid hemorrhage by rupture of a blister aneurysm of the P1 segment of the left posterior cerebral artery. A control arteriography performed one week after the rupture showed a disappearance of the aneurysm and a significant vasospasm of the carrier artery. Angiograms performed at 3 weeks and 3 months confirmed this disappearance of the aneurysm and a return to normal artery size. Clinically the patient was doing well. Therefore his aneurysm was spontaneously declared cured. Several studies are needed to clarify the natural history of spontaneously thrombosed aneurysms and elucidate their occurrence mechanism in order to improve the management of intracranial aneurysmal pathology.

Intravitreal aflibercept for ruptured retinal arterial macroaneurysm

Dear Editor,Retinal arterial macroaneurysm（RAM）,which usually occurs within the first three orders of arterial bifurcation,is acquired fusiform or saccular dilatations of retinal arterioles^（[1-2]）.Aging,the female gender,and systemic vascular

Ruptured Sub-Annular Mitral Aneurysm in the Pericardium: Report of a Case

The sub-mitral annular aneurysm is a rare cardiac pathology. The etiologies are diverse, ranging from the congenital form to the idiopathic form, including the acquired form. The clinical case we report is that of a 27-year-old young man, with no particular history, admitted with a picture of global heart failure. A cardiac ultrasound diagnosed a ruptured mitral sub-annular aneurysm in the pericardium. The difficulty lies in the surgical management of this condition, due to the lack of an adequate cardiac surgery service in most of the countries in Africa south of the Sahara.

What Should Be Done if There Is Coronary Artery Disorder in Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm?

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is the most common type of aneurismal diseases. Generally, it is asymptomatic and when it is ruptured, it develops with high morbidity and mortality. Case report: A 62-years-old male patient consulted our emergency with a pain at his dorsum and lumbar part. Cardiologist with a suspicion of coronary artery disorder or dissection, coronary angiography was executed. Consecutive lesions of LAD artery (left anterior descending) 40% - 50% and 90%, CX artery (circumflex) 40% and 80% - 90%, and a lesion of RCA (right coronary artery) 20% - 30% were detected. With a suspicion of rupture, abdominal aneurysm tomography (CT) was demanded. In the tomography, a 7-cm-diameter ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm was diagnosed. Levosimendan support was started. Under the support of levosimendan a Y graft operation was performed. The operation was ended up with levosimendan support considering that coronary bypass would increase mortality and morbidity. Discussion: Approximately 50% of the ruptured aneurysms are died before they reach hospital while the 30% - 70% operated ones are died within 30 days after operation. Early diagnosis and follow-up is extremely important to decrease morbidity and mortality. The patients consulting with rupture must be taken to the operation without delay. What should be done if coronary artery disorder is detected in the patient whose AAA is ruptured and if the bypass is necessary? In our opinion, a decision must be made according to the patient’s clinical condition. As a result of our case, we thought repairing the abdominal aortic aneurysm necessitates the other comorbidites must be treated medically. We aimed to decrease the cardiac oxygen requirement by starting levosimendan and decline afterload. If the patient, whose coronary artery disorder is detected, is under risk and his overall condition is bad, we think that coronary bypass operation can be delayed.

Successful use of emergent endovascular aneurysm repair for a ruptured hypotensive abdominal aortic aneurysm

Ruptured aortic aneurysm has a surgical mortality ranging from 50%-70%, one of the highest rates of all vascular emergencies [1-5]. Less invasive approaches to repair have been developed that could potentially improve these statistics [1,5-7]. Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a minimally invasive approach that may be an alternative to open surgical repair for select cases of ruptured aortic aneurysms [1,5]. Unfortunately, the role of EVAR in patients with acute rupture of an abdominal aneurysm is not clear, especially for patients that are hemodynamically unstable [1,8-10]. The literature is limited regarding use of EVAR in this population of patients. We present a case of the successful use of EVAR for an emergent repair in a hypotensive hemodynamically unstable patient with an acutely ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).