title: Aorto-atrial fistula 10 days after dissection repair in giant cell arteritis.
abstract: Active aortitis caused by giant cell arteritis occurs more commonly than has been previously appreciated, and ascending aortic dissection may occur despite medical therapy, without a preexisting aneurysm or ectasia. We report a case of acute type A aortic dissection in a patient already treated for giant cell arteritis. The aortic root was left intact during the initial surgery, but was completely removed 10 days later after an early postoperative aorto-atrial fistula. Complete removal of the aortic root (Bentall procedure) has been advocated in these patients to prevent late additional aortic complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Hotel Dieu de France Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon. fflhlb@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Fadia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Haddad
authors.forename: Issam
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: El-Rassi
authors.forename: Fadi G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Haddad
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nemnoum
authors.forename: Victor A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Jebara
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000601:surgery; D001705:Bioprosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D006325:Heart Atria; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012086:Reoperation; D012850:Sinus of Valsalva / Q000601:surgery; D016157:Vascular Fistula / Q000209:etiology*