Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture following cardiac surgery is usually fatal. The pathogenesis of this complication is not clearly elucidated and the optimal management of the combined pathology is controversial. We report the successful management of a 77-year old man who developed a AAA rupture in the early postoperative period after coronary artery bypass grafting. The factors that predispose cardiac surgery patients with concomitant AAA to increased risk of rupture are discussed.