Acute aortic dissection in a patient with extremely low body mass index due to anorexia nervosa

J Cardiovasc Surg (Torino). 2011 Jun;52(3):453-5.

Abstract

We report a case of successful surgical repair of an acute aortic dissection (Stanford Type A) in a severely malnourished 39-year old patient with anorexia nervosa (body mass index [BMI] 11.3 kg/m2) and essential hypertension. The case is of interest since 1) acute aortic dissection in patients with anorexia nervosa has not previously been described; 2) hypertension is extremely rare in patients with eating disorders; and 3) successful aortic repair in a patient with so low BMI has not been reported before. We conclude that extremely low BMI due to anorexia nervosa is not an absolute contraindication for major aortic surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Anorexia Nervosa / complications*
  • Aortic Aneurysm / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Aneurysm / etiology*
  • Aortic Aneurysm / surgery
  • Aortic Dissection / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Dissection / etiology*
  • Aortic Dissection / surgery
  • Aortography / methods
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation
  • Body Mass Index*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / etiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome