Pseudoaneurysm of a branch of left internal mammary artery: a late and potentially fatal complication after redo-sternotomy

Post-sternotomy pseudoaneurysms of the internal mammary arteries (IMAs) and their branches are rare and often present with ruptureassociated haemothorax and haemodynamic instability. In those cases, urgent surgical correction or embolization can be the treatment of choice. Traumatic chest injuries might lead to IMA branch injury as well; after cardiac surgery, injuries to these branches during sternal closure can be an extremely rare cause of pseudoaneurysm. We describe the case of a 78-year old lady with a left IMA branch pseudoaneurysm, arising from left sternal edge a few weeks after redo-sternotomy for mitral valve surgery. We also describe its non-surgical successful repair.