Clinical Case of the Month. Complete Replacement of the Ascending Aorta and Aortic Arch in a Case of Chronic Aortic Dissection

peer reviewedWe report the case of a patient who developed an evolutive chronic aortic dissection after ascending aorta replacement for acute type A aortic dissection. Owing to the development of severe aortic regurgitation, aortic root pseudoaneurysm and aneurysmal dilatation of the arch and descending aorta, reoperation was adviced. Reoperation included Cabrol modification of the Bentall operation and aortic arch replacement with elephant trunk performed under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. The incidence of late aneurysmal formation in type 1 aortic dissection has been reported to be 30%. Close postoperative follow-up of the aortic diameter is necessary to detect a critical dilatation and to permit elective reoperation