title: Spontaneous rupture of a nonaneurismatic ascending thoracic aorta.
abstract: Spontaneous rupture of the ascending thoracic aorta without any history of aneurysm, trauma, infection, dissection, or previous surgery is a very rare and potentially lethal event. We report a case of spontaneous rupture of the ascending aorta treated successfully. While the etiology is still unclear, diagnosis with bedside transesophageal echocardiography prompted emergent surgical intervention.
authors.affiliation: The Valley-Columbia Heart Center, Ridgewood, New Jersey, USA. brizma@valleyhealth.com
authors.forename: Mariano E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Brizzio
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zapolanski
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kesselbrenner
mesh_terms: D001011:Aorta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors