Intraoperative aortic dissection--a case report.

Abstract

Intraoperative aortic dissection is a rare but potentially fatal complication of cardiac surgery. Prompt recognition and repair are necessary to limit the extent of dissection to minimize morbidity and mortality. Here, we present a case of acute type A dissection of ascending aortic artery occurring after removal of aortic cannula at the end of cardiopulmonary bypass. The surgeon immediately recannulated him at the femoral artery and repaired the dissection under deep hypothermia. Ascending aorta was replaced with Hemashield graft and venous graft was reimplanted. Unfortunately, the patient expired the following day due to cardiac tamponade resulting from uncontrolled bleeding. Long-standing severe hypertension, severe atherosclerotic change of the aortic wall, thin and dilating ascending aorta and cystic medial necrosis or collagen vascular disease were thought to predispose him to this complication. Gentle manipulation and surgical discreetness to forestall aoratic injury could minimize the risk of intraoperative aortic dissection. Once aortic dissection has been suspected, prompt application of transesophageal echocardiography to confirm the diagnosis, and rapid as well as appropriate surgical management are necessary to grasp a better outcome.