title: Chronic proximal aortic dissection presenting as tamponade after 16 years.
abstract: A patient presented with tamponade and haemopericardium 16 years after experiencing sudden severe chest pain associated with enlargement of the proximal aorta. Investigations revealed a proximal aortic dissection (DeBakey type II) with extensive laminar and partially calcified thrombus within its false lumen and a large pericardial effusion, which together resulted in a cardiothoracic ratio of 100%. Long term survival after medical treatment of proximal aortic dissection, with such late progression to tamponade, has not been reported before.
mesh_terms: D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000150:complications*; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000150:complications*; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000209:etiology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors