title: The diagnosis and management of aortic dissection occurring years after open heart surgery.
abstract: Aortic dissection occurring after open heart surgery is an uncommon but well recognized complication. Unfortunately, it is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. Pre-existing aortic wall pathology, intraoperative aortic manipulations and hypertension are known to predispose to the development of this condition. We report a case of aortic dissection occurring 2 years after coronary artery bypass surgery and complicated by acute saphenous vein graft occlusion and severe mitral insufficiency. We review the diagnosis and management of this complication.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: John
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beniaminovitz
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Artrip
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rabbani
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Michler
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D001027:Aortography; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation