A time bomb in the thorax: the giant ascending aortic aneurysm. Case report

We report the case of a 82-year-old woman, asymptomatic, subject to chest computed tomography for trauma. Then the patient underwent surgery. Before sternotomy, femoro-femoral bypass was starter in order to decompress the aneurysm; using deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest, ascending aorta and hemiarch replacement were performed with a Dacron graft. Post-operative course was uneventful.

The Role of Accidental and Therapeutic Hypothermia in Non-Fatal Drowning

A case of non-fatal drowning with a successful outcome despite a submersion time of 25 min is described. Our case report emphasizes the role of accidental hypothermia in the survival of drowning victims with hypoxic brain injury, and supports the use of therapeutic hypothermia in the resuscitation of these patients.