Endovascular Treatment of "Donut-Shaped" Aneurysm-A Case Series.

Background and Objectives: Partially thrombosed aneurysms represent a subset primarily found within large and giant aneurysms. The presence of an intraluminal thrombus can cause an aneurysm to present in different shapes upon angiographic examination. We present a series of five cases of "donut-shaped" aneurysms observed over the past decade at the Clinic for Neurosurgery in the University Clinical Centre of Serbia. Materials and Methods: The management of "donut-shaped" aneurysms was accomplished through endovascular interventions, employing techniques such as the deployment of flow-diverting stents or a combination of stent placement and coil embolization. Results: Four out of five patients underwent endovascular treatment, yielding positive outcomes with complete thrombosis of the aneurysms during follow-up. The fifth patient was successfully diagnosed; however, due to their deteriorating condition, treatment was not feasible. Conclusions: Given the potential life-threatening complications associated with this entity, accurate diagnosis and appropriate management are crucial. In our cohort, endovascular interventions demonstrated efficacy in the majority of cases, underscoring the significance of this approach in treating "donut-shaped" aneurysms. Nevertheless, considering the rarity of this condition, further research is justified to refine diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for these complex intracranial vascular anomalies.

The Importance of Early Detection and Minimally Invasive Treatment of Pseudoaneurysms Due to Chronic Pancreatitis: Case Report.

The occurrence of the pseudoaneurysm of visceral arteries in the field of chronic pancreatitis is a very rare complication that represents a life-threatening condition. The higher frequency of this complication is in the necrotic form of pancreatic inflammation, especially in patients with formed peripancreatic necrotic collections. The degradation of the arterial wall leads to bleeding and transforms these necrotic collections into a pseudoaneurysm. Urgent endovascular angioembolization is the first choice in the therapeutic approach as a valid minimally invasive solution with very satisfactory immediate and long-term outcomes. This successfully avoids open surgery, which is associated with a high mortality rate in these patients, especially in acute-on-chronic pancreatitis.

Successful Hybrid Approach Treatment of a Large Persistent Sciatic Artery Aneurysm-A Case Report.

Background and Objectives: Persistent sciatic artery (PSA) is a rare congenital vascular anomaly that is often asymptomatic, but can be associated with aneurysm formation and potential complications, such as thromboembolism or aneurysm rupture in some cases. We present a case of a 75-year-old woman with a symptomatic thrombus-containing aneurysm of the left PSA. Materials and Methods: The treatment of the PSA aneurysm involved a successful hybrid approach, which included open surgical bypass and endovascular embolization. The open surgical bypass was performed from the left common femoral artery to the left above-the-knee popliteal artery using a synthetic graft, while the aneurysm exclusion was achieved through endovascular plug embolization. Results: Control angiography revealed complete exclusion of the PSA aneurysm. At the 1-month follow-up, there were no palpable pulsatile masses in the left gluteal region, and the patient reported no symptoms. Conclusions: Given the high incidence of limb- and life-threatening complications associated with a PSA aneurysm, accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial. In this case, a combination of open surgical and endovascular techniques resulted in a favorable outcome for the patient, highlighting the effectiveness of the hybrid approach in managing PSA aneurysms. Further studies are warranted to explore and refine treatment strategies for these complex vascular anomalies.

The Clinical Impact of the Extension of Acute Type A Aortic Surgery on Long-Term Outcomes: Should We Tend to Be Conservative?

Background and Objectives: Despite advances in surgical techniques, industry adjuncts, and cerebral perfusion techniques, the in-hospital mortality rate of type A acute dissection (TAAD) remains at 15-30%. This study aimed to investigate the influence of different extents of aortic resection on survival and quality of life (QoL) after long-term follow-up. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational trial was performed, including 165 patients operated upon for TAAD. Patients were divided into two groups according to the extent of their aortic repair: the first group comprised patients who had ascending aorta replacement and the second included patients who had hemiarch or total arch replacement. The groups were compared with regard to their baseline characteristics, operative characteristics, survival, complications, and QoL during nine years of follow-up. Results: The mean follow-up time was 75.6 months (1-108 months). The mean survival in the ascending aorta repair group was 89.651 (81.242-98.061) months and was 54.801 (40.053-69.548) months in the hemiarch and arch group; the difference between the groups was significant (log-rank p < 0.001). The rate of new postoperative neurological deficits was statistically higher in the hemiarch and arch group (17.5% vs. 8.4%, p = 0.045), the most common being stroke, and was also more frequent in the hemiarch and arch group than in the ascending aorta group (with statistical significance (15.7% vs. 6.5%)). The mean SF-12 physical score from the QoL questionnaire was higher in the ascending aorta replacement group than in the hemiarch and arch group (50.1 ± 7.3 vs. 44.0 ± 11.9, p = 0.017). Additionally, the mean SF-12 mental score was higher in the ascending aorta replacement group (52.3 ± 7.3 vs. 47.1 ± 12.8, p = 0.032). Conclusions: A more aggressive approach involving aortic arch repair means a lower survival rate and lesser quality of life after long-term follow-up in comparison with the replacement of the ascending aorta. If clinically applicable, a more defensive strategy may be considered.

A misplacement of a ureteral stent into the abdominal aorta: a case report of a rare retrograde ureteral stenting complication.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is often associated with malignant ureteral obstruction and consequent hydronephrosis. Hydronephrosis caused in this way can be resolved by placing ureteral stents or performing a percutaneous nephrostomy. Complications that may occur during the retrograde ureteral stent placement are usually mild, but serious complications such as stent migration into the cardiovascular system are also possible. Here we present an unusual case where a ureteral stent entered the abdominal aorta during the cystoscopic ureteral stenting, which was resolved by a cystoscopic stent removal kept in check by endovascular catheters. CASE PRESENTATIONS: The 48-year-old female patient was treated in the regional secondary healthcare facility due to bilateral hydronephrosis caused by cervical cancer. The patient had bilateral percutaneous nephrostomies and ureteral stents. Due to the calcification of the left ureteral stent, an urethrorenoscopy with lithotripsy of the calculus in the left ureter was performed in the regional secondary healthcare facility, and the ureteral stent was cystoscopically replaced. The control radiography of the urinary tract showed a misplacement of the left ureteral stent, and a computed tomography showed that the stent was located in the abdominal aorta. The patient was referred to the University Clinical Center of Serbia, where a ureteral stent was cystoscopically removed from the abdominal aorta under the control of endovascular catheters. The patient was in good general condition at all times, with no signs of bleeding, and she was discharged from the hospital on the fourth postoperative day. CONCLUSIONS: The migration of a ureteral stent into the abdominal aorta and the cardiovascular system in general is a rare type of ureteral stenting complication whose treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach. In order to prevent such complications, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the indications for the ureteral stent placement in the case of malignant ureteral obstruction. Also, this procedure should be performed according to the current guidelines and controlled by an X-ray or ultrasound.

Atrial fibrillation is associated with poor long-term outcome after mechanical thrombectomy for anterior large vessel occlusion stroke.

OBJECTIVES: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the leading causes of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The aim of our study was to determine the influence of AF on the long-term outcome of patients with AIS due to anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO) treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT). METHODS: Our study included 127 consecutive patients with AIS due to anterior LVO who underwent MT between January 2018 and March 2020. Demographics, clinical, radiological and treatment characteristics were prospectively collected. Modified Rankin scale (mRS) score ≤2 was defined as a good functional outcome. RESULTS: AF was detected in 62 (48.8%) patients. Patients with AF were elder (73.1 ± 8.7 vs. 58.5 ± 14.2 years, p<0.01) and usually female (56.5% vs. 36.9%, p=0.03). They had a lower percentage of good functional outcome (31.6% vs. 62.3%, p<0.01) and a higher mortality rate (47.5% vs. 18.5%, p<0.01) after one year of follow-up. In the multivariate logistic regression the variables that showed significance with p <0.05 in previous univariate analyses were included. The presence of AF (aOR 0.29, 95% CI 0.11-0.78, p=0.01) and initial NIHSS score >15 (aOR 0.25, 95% CI 0.11-0.56, p<0.01) were independent negative predictors of good functional outcome after one year of follow-up. However, the presence of AF did not affect all-cause mortality within one year (p=0.18). CONCLUSION: AF and initial NIHSS score >15 are independent negative predictors of good long-term functional outcome in patients with AIS due to anterior circulation LVO treated with MT.

Influence of Thrombocytopenia on the Outcome of Mechanical Thrombectomy in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke.

OBJECTIVES: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has become leading treatment option for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessels occlusion (LVO). Platelet counts may affect outcome in patients with AIS or transient ischemic attack. The aim of our study was to determine the influence of thrombocytopenia on the safety and efficacy of MT in patients with AIS due to anterior circulation LVO. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 127 consecutive adult patients with AIS due to anterior circulation LVO who underwent MT. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on initial platelet count: with thrombocytopenia (<150 × 109/L) and without thrombocytopenia (≥150 × 109/L). Primary safety outcome was symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage (SICH), while secondary safety outcome was stroke-related mortality. Efficacy outcome was functional independence, defined as modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 0-2. Follow- up time was 90 days. RESULTS: Initial thrombocytopenia (<150 × 109/L) was detected in 19 (15%) patients. Multivariable analysis showed that initial thrombocytopenia did not increase the risk of SICH and did not affect the short-term functional outcome (p = 0.587). However, initial thrombocytopenia increased the risk for stroke-related mortality (aOR 3.639, 95% CI 1.079-12.641, p = 0.037). The main cause of mortality in the group with thrombocytopenia was malignant cerebral infarction (44.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Thrombocytopenia does not affect the efficacy and the risk of SICH in patients with AIS caused by anterior circulation LVO treated with MT. However, the risk of mortality is higher in patients with thrombocytopenia, mainly due to malignant cerebral infarction.

Comparison of Long Term Outcomes After Endovascular Treatment Versus Bypass Surgery in Chronic Limb Threatening Ischaemia Patients with Long Femoropopliteal Lesions.

OBJECTIVE: There are currently two treatments available for patients with chronic limb threatening ischaemia (CLTI): open surgical bypass (OSB) and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with/without stenting (PTA/S). The aim of this study was to compare short and long term outcomes between PTA/S and OSB in CLTI patients with long (GLASS grade III and IV) femoropopliteal disease. METHODS: This was a two centre retrospective study including all consecutive patients with CLTI undergoing first time lower extremity intervention at two distinct vascular surgical centres. Between 1 January 2012 and 1 January 2018, 1 545 CLTI consecutive limbs were treated for femoropopliteal GLASS grade III and IV lesions at two vascular surgical centres. Using covariables from baseline and angiographic characteristics, a propensity score was calculated for each limb. Thus, comparable patient cohorts (235 in PTA/S and 235 in OSB group) were identified for further analysis. The primary outcomes were freedom from re-intervention in the treated extremity and major amputation. Secondary outcomes were all hospital complications among the two patient groups. RESULTS: Total overall complication rates were significantly higher in the OSB group (20.42% vs. 5.96%, p < .001), especially wound infection/seroma rate that required prolonged hospitalisation and further treatment (7.65% vs. 0%, p < .001). After the median follow up of 61 months, re-intervention rates were significantly higher in the PTA/S group (log rank test, 44.68% vs. 29.79%, p = .002), but there was no significant difference in terms of major amputation rates between the two group of patients (log rank test, PTA/S 27.23% vs. OSB 22.13%, p = .17). CONCLUSION: Bypass surgery seems to be superior to PTA/S for GLASS grade III and IV femoropopliteal lesions in patients with CLTI in terms of long term re-intervention rates, but with considerably higher rates of post-operative complications. A larger cohort of patients in currently ongoing randomised trials, as well as prospective cohort studies are necessary to confirm these findings.

Successfully Resected Cardiac Metastatic Melanoma in a Lifesaving Cardiac Surgery: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Metastatic tumors are the most frequent tumors of the heart with the melanoma metastasis being the most frequent. In cases of a cardiac tamponade or a low cardiac output syndrome due to the position of the tumor it could lead to an acute life-threatening condition for the patient. CASE REPORT: We present a case of a successfully treated metastatic cardiac melanoma in a lifesaving cardiac surgery. A 42-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency department of the Clinical Center of Serbia in a critical state with signs of tricuspid orifice obstruction with a tumor mass. Her previous medical history showed that she had an adequate surgical excision of the melanoma in the right lumbar region at the age of 39. An emergency cardiac surgery was performed with the resection of the tumor and the atrial wall. The postoperative course was uneventful and a HP exam once again confirmed the same type of melanoma as previously diagnosed. The patient was alive and well on follow-up exams for 4 months when she was diagnosed with metastatic tumor masses in the pelvis with ascites and melanosis of the entire skin followed by lethal outcome 5 months after the cardiac surgery. CONCLUSION: Surgical resection of metastatic cardiac melanoma can be safe and effective in an emergency scenario, especially in the case of solitary metastasis. It can be performed with excellent results and very few postoperative complications. However, due to the nature of the principal disease, the long-term survival rate remains low, giving the surgery a place in palliative treatment.

Successful Embolization of Posterior Inferior Pancreaticoduodenal Artery Pseudoaneurysm on the Grounds of Chronic Pancreatitis-Case Report and Literature Review.

Pancreatic pseudoaneurysm is a rare but life-threatening clinical entity. In this paper, we present a case of a 74-year-old man, who was admitted to our clinic with a diagnosis of an acute on chronic pancreatitis complicated by walled-off-pancreatic-necrosis, with subsequent development of peripancreatic pseudoaneurysm. After initial conservative management, the patient recovered and was discharged from the hospital. However, he soon returned feeling anxious due to a pulsatile abdominal mass. Abdominal Color-Doppler examination, CT scan, and angiography revealed large pancreatic necrotic collection in the total size of 9 cm, with centrally enhancing area of 3.5 cm that corresponded to pseudoaneurysm originating from the posterior pancreaticoduodenal vascular arcade. Considering the size, location of the pseudoaneurysm, feeding vessel, and poor general patients condition, we opted for minimally invasive treatment. Pseudoaneurysm was successfully managed by endovascular coil embolization, i.e., "sandwich technique".

Late Complication after Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair: What Is the Role of an Open Surgical Conversion?

BACKGROUND: The aim was to evaluate the causes of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) failure and conversion to open surgery (COS) in a vascular center with high-volume open surgery and low-volume TEVAR procedures. METHODS: A total of 8 patients (6 men; mean age, 55.14 years) underwent COS after TEVAR. The indications for COS, intraoperative strategy, and early postoperative and mid-follow-up results were analyzed. RESULTS: The indications for COS were persistent proximal type I endoleak with progressive aneurysm enlargement in 2 patients, type III endoleak in 1 patient, progressive aneurysm enlargement with no endoleak in 1 patient, stent-graft migration in 2 patients, secondary aortoesophageal fistula in 1 patient, secondary aortoesophageal and aortobronchial fistula in 1 patient, and distal progression of the aneurysmal disease in 2 patients. In all but one patient, thoracic stent grafts were explanted, and replacement with a Dacron graft was performed using left partial cardiopulmonary bypass. In the remaining patients with disconnection of the distal component and unfavorable anatomy, the proximal stent graft was recycled, and the Dacron prosthesis was sewn to it. Patients with secondary aortobronchial and aortoesophageal fistulas required additional bronchial and esophageal repair. The in-hospital mortality rate was 50% (4 patients). Four (50%) patients were followed up between 7 and 24 months (mean, 16.75 months) without mortality. CONCLUSIONS: COS after TEVAR has a high mortality rate, and endovascular techniques should be considered as the first line of treatment. Those procedures should be performed by surgeons experienced in open repair which one might expect to be a challenging problem in the era of endovascular therapy.

Comparative analysis of carotid artery stenting practice and outcomes across operator specialties: insights from a prespecified subanalysis of a large real-world patient cohort (ROADSAVER Study).

BACKGROUND: In contemporary clinical practice, carotid artery stenting (CAS) is increasingly becoming a multispecialty field, joining operators of various training backgrounds, which bring forth their unique expertise, patient management philosophies, and procedural preferences. The best practices and approaches, however, are still debated. Therefore, real-world insights on different operator preferences and related outcomes are of utmost value, yet still rather scarce in the available literature. METHODS: Using the data collected in the ROADSAVER observational, European multicenter CAS study, a prespecified comparative analysis evaluating the impact of the operator's specialization was performed. We used major adverse event (MAE) rate at 30-day follow-up, defined as the cumulative incidence of any death or stroke, and its components as outcome measures. RESULTS: A total of 1965 procedures were analyzed; almost half 878 (44.7%) were performed by radiologists (interventional/neuro), 717 (36.5%) by cardiologists or angiologists, and 370 (18.8%) by surgeons (vascular/neuro). Patients treated by surgeons were the oldest (72.9±8.5), while radiologists treated most symptomatic patients (58.1%) and more often used radial access (37.2%). The 30-day MAE incidence achieved by cardiologists/angiologists was 2.0%, radiologists 2.5%, and surgeons 1.9%; the observed differences in rates were statistically not-significant (P=0.7027), even when adjusted for baseline patient/lesion and procedural disparities across groups. The corresponding incidence rates for death from any cause were 1.0%, 0.8%, and 0.3%, P=0.4880, and for any stroke: 1.4%, 2.3%, and 1.9%, P=0.4477, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the disparities in patient selection and procedural preferences, the outcomes achieved by different specialties in real-world, contemporary CAS practice remain similar when using modern devices and techniques.

The Correlation between Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Findings and Post-COVID-19: The Impact of Myocardial Injury on Quality of Life.

BACKGROUND: In the post-COVID-19 era, there is growing concern regarding its impact on cardiovascular health and the following effects on the overall quality of life of affected individuals. This research seeks to investigate cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) findings following COVID-19 and their impact on the quality of life of affected individuals. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in consecutive patients with persistent cardiovascular symptoms after COVID-19 who were referred to CMR due to suspected myocardial injury. In addition, patients completed a questionnaire about symptoms and the quality of life during the post-COVID-19 period. RESULTS: In this study, 85 patients were included. The study population consisted of patients with a mean age of 42.5 ± 13.4 years, predominantly women, who made up 69.4% of the study population, while men made up 30.6%. CMR findings showed non-ischemic myocardial injury in 78.8% of patients and myocardial edema in 14.1% of patients. Late pericardial enhancement was present in 40% of patients and pericardial effusion in 51.8% of patients. Pericardial effusion (p = 0.001) was more prevalent in patients who reported more pronounced symptoms in the post-COVID-19 period compared to the acute infection phase. Predictors of lower quality of life in the post-COVID-19 period were the presence of irregular heartbeat (p = 0.039), cardiovascular problems that last longer than 12 weeks (p = 0.018), and the presence of pericardial effusion (p = 0.037). CONCLUSION: Acute myocarditis was observed in a minority of patients after COVID-19, while non-ischemic LGE pattern and pericardial effusion were observed in the majority. Quality of life was worse during the post-COVID-19 period in patients with CMR abnormalities, primarily in patients with pericardial effusion. Also, irregular heartbeat, cardiovascular symptoms that last longer than 12 weeks, as well as pericardial effusion were independent predictors of lower quality of life during the post-COVID-19 period.

Endovascular treatment of a pseudoaneurysm of the posterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery as a complication of chronic pancreatitis: a case report.

A pancreatic pseudoaneurysm is a rare but life-threatening clinical entity. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment are of great clinical importance. We herein present an unusual case of a pseudoaneurysm of the posterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery that developed as a complication of chronic pancreatitis. It was detected in a timely manner and successfully treated with minimally invasive endovascular therapy.

The Coronary ARteriogenesis with combined Heparin and EXercise therapy in chronic refractory Angina (CARHEXA) trial: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled stress echocardiographic study.

BACKGROUND: Coronary collateral circulation exerts protective effects on myocardial ischaemia due to coronary artery disease and can be promoted by exercise with heparin co-administration. Whether this arteriogenetic effect is accompanied by functional improvement of left ventricle during stress and lessening of angina symptoms remains unknown. AIMS: To evaluate the anti-ischaemic efficacy of heparin plus exercise in coronary artery disease. METHODS: In a prospective, single-centre, randomized, double-blind study we recruited 32 'no-option' patients (27 males; mean age 61 ± 8 years) with stable angina, exercise-induced ischaemia and coronary artery disease not suitable for revascularization. All underwent a two-week cycle of exercise (two exercise sessions per day, five days per week) and were randomized (n = 16 per group) to intravenous placebo (0.9% saline) versus unfractionated heparin (5.000 IU intravenously), 10 min prior to exercise. We assessed Canadian Cardiovascular Society angina class, stress electrocardiogram and echo parameters (wall motion score index) and computed tomography angiography for collaterals. RESULTS: After two-week cycle, Canadian Cardiovascular Society class statistically decreased in both groups (heparin plus exercise group: 2.6 ± 0.7 to 1.9 ± 0.7, p < 0.001, exercise group: 2.4 ± 0.7 to 2.1 ± 0.9, p = 0.046). Only the heparin plus exercise group improved time-to-ST segment depression (before 270, 228-327 s vs. after 339, 280-360 s, p = 0.012) and wall motion score index (before 1.38 ± 0.25 vs. after 1.28 ± 0.18, p = 0.005). By multi-slice computed tomography angiography, collaterals improved in 12/15 (80%) in the heparin plus exercise group versus 2/16 (12.5%) in the exercise group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A two-week, 10-test cycle of heparin plus exercise is better than exercise in improving angina class, myocardial ischaemia and collaterals by computed tomography angiography.

EndoVAscular treatment and ThRombolysis for Ischemic Stroke Patients (EVA-TRISP) registry: basis and methodology of a pan-European prospective ischaemic stroke revascularisation treatment registry.

PURPOSE: The Thrombolysis in Ischemic Stroke Patients (TRISP) collaboration was a concerted effort initiated in 2010 with the purpose to address relevant research questions about the effectiveness and safety of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). The collaboration also aims to prospectively collect data on patients undergoing endovascular treatment (EVT) and hence the name of the collaboration was changed from TRISP to EVA-TRISP. The methodology of the former TRISP registry for patients treated with IVT has already been published. This paper focuses on describing the EVT part of the registry. PARTICIPANTS: All centres committed to collecting predefined variables on consecutive patients prospectively. We aim for accuracy and completeness of the data and to adapt local databases to investigate novel research questions. Herein, we introduce the methodology of a recently constructed academic investigator-initiated open collaboration EVT registry built as an extension of an existing IVT registry in patients with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). FINDINGS TO DATE: Currently, the EVA-TRISP network includes 20 stroke centres with considerable expertise in EVT and maintenance of high-quality hospital-based registries. Following several successful randomised controlled trials (RCTs), many important clinical questions remain unanswered in the (EVT) field and some of them will unlikely be investigated in future RCTs. Prospective registries with high-quality data on EVT-treated patients may help answering some of these unanswered issues, especially on safety and efficacy of EVT in specific patient subgroups. FUTURE PLANS: This collaborative effort aims at addressing clinically important questions on safety and efficacy of EVT in conditions not covered by RCTs. The TRISP registry generated substantial novel data supporting stroke physicians in their daily decision making considering IVT candidate patients. While providing observational data on EVT in daily clinical practice, our future findings may likewise be hypothesis generating for future research as well as for quality improvement (on EVT). The collaboration welcomes participation of further centres willing to fulfill the commitment and the outlined requirements.

Single center experience in the management of a case series of subclavian artery aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: Subclavian artery aneurysms (SAAs) are rare, but they may cause life- and limb-threatening complications. METHODS: Retrospective review was performed of all SAA patients that underwent treatment at the Clinic for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade between January 1st 2006 and January 1st 2018. The paper includes analysis of etiology and therapeutic options based on the experience from our institution. RESULTS: Twenty (80%) of SAAs involved extrathoracic (ET), while five (20%) intrathoracic (IT) segment. Out of total five IT SAAs, two were asymptomatic (40%), one had dyspnea (20%), while two (40%) had hematothorax due to rupture. Seven (35%) patients with ET SAA had shoulder pain and pulsatile mass, five (25%) acute, seven (35%) had chronic limb ischemia, while one was asymptomatic (5%). Two IT SAAs were treated with open surgery (OS). Other three cases underwent hybrid procedure. One case with ET SAA was treated endovascularly due to hostile anatomy, while in all other 19 cases of ET SAAs open repair was performed, which included: graft interposition in 10 (52.63%), end-to-end anastomosis in 7 (36.84%) cases, while bypass procedure in 2 (10.52%) patients. One of our patients (4%) died during the first 30 postoperative days. CONCLUSIONS: SAAs are rare, however because of their natural history they have huge clinical significance. OS is the method of choice in cases of ET SAAs caused by TOS. Endovascular and hybrid treatment decrease significantly perioperative morbidity and mortality rates in cases of intrathoracic SAAs and thus should be the first option.