title: Fate of the native aorta after repair of acute type A dissection: a magnetic resonance imaging study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine late patency of the aortic false lumen and propensity for aneurysm formation after repair of type A dissection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective follow up study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Regional cardiac surgical unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  28 patients after repair of type A dissection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed between 6 weeks and 12 months after operation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A patent distal false lumen with demonstrable blood flow was found in 22 patients (78%). Only six patients had complete obliteration of the false lumen by thrombus. The conduct of operation did not influence this. Nine patients (32%) showed aneurysmal dilatation of the false lumen and three had a repeat operation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  So-called "successful repair" of aortic dissection does not obliterate the distal false lumen. MRI is a safe and effective radiological procedure for determining patency and dilatation in the false lumen. Patients with type A dissection with blood flow in the false lumen should be studied every 6 months to look for aneurysmal dilatation.
authors.affiliation: Oxford Heart Centre, Oxford Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, UK.
authors.forename: N R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Parry
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Trottman-Dickenson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pillai
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Westaby
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001011:Aorta / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014654:Vascular Patency