Incidental retroaortic innominate vein in a patient with acute aortic dissection

BACKGROUND: Retroaortic innominate vein is a rare anomaly. It has been reported in patients with congenital anomalies such as Tetralogy of Fallot or right aortic arch. However, isolated retroaortic innominate vein is quite rare. CASE PRESENTATION: A 63-year-old man was transferred to our institution because of Stanford type A acute aortic dissection. Incidentally, we noticed that the left innominate vein coursed under the aortic arch and was directed into the superior vena cava on computed tomography. We performed emergent hemiarch replacement. CONCLUSIONS: Attention must be paid to the cannulation site for venous uptake and the method of myocardial protection.