Exclusion of a Giant Right Coronary Artery Aneurysm with Concomitant Bypass Grafting

Coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) are defined as a dilation of 1.5 times the diameter of a normal adjacent coronary artery, and CAAs larger than 20 cm are classified as giant. CAAs are typically asymptomatic, but complications can be fatal. There is currently no consensus on treatment, although medical, percutaneous, and surgical options have all been previously described in the literature. Additionally, there is little published video footage of the surgical exclusion of giant coronary artery aneurysms. This report describes the case of a 53-year-old man with a persistent globus sensation who was found to have a 4.5 cm right coronary artery aneurysm with diffuse calcification of the right coronary artery. He underwent exclusion of the aneurysm and coronary artery bypass grafting (radial artery to the right coronary artery and left internal mammary artery to the left anterior descending artery). Due to heavy calcification in the vessel wall, the right coronary artery both proximal and distal to the aneurysm was ligated with a pericardial buttress. The patient had no major adverse events and was discharged six days after surgery. This report includes detailed video footage of the giant coronary artery aneurysm exclusion technique. This case and accompanying video footage will help prepare surgeons to manage adult patients with CAAs and diffuse coronary atherosclerosis.