# A challenging case of emergency redo surgery for acute type A aortic dissecting aneurysm of ascending and aortic arch with frozen elephant trunk following aortic root replacement

## TL;DR

This paper describes a high-risk emergency redo surgery for a complex aortic aneurysm in a 72-year-old patient with a prior aortic root replacement.

## Contribution

The novelty lies in the successful application of the frozen elephant trunk technique in a challenging redo aortic surgery case.

## Key findings

- Emergency redo surgery using the frozen elephant trunk technique was successfully performed.
- The patient presented with acute Type A aortic dissection and left hemothorax.
- The case highlights the importance of appropriate surgical strategies in high-risk redo aortic surgeries.

## Abstract

Redo ascending and aortic arch surgeries following previous cardiac or aortic surgery are associated with high risk of morbidity and mortality due to multiple factors included sternal re-entry injury, extensive aortic arch surgery, emergency aortic surgery, prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass duration, poor heart function, and patients with older age. Therefore, appropriate surgical strategies are important. We report a case of a 72-year-old gentleman with previous surgery of aortic root replacement who presented with acute Type A aortic dissecting aneurysm of ascending and aortic arch complicated with left hemothorax, which was successfully treated by emergency redo aortic surgery with frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique.