[Rupture of type A aortic dissection into right cardiac cavities]

Abstract

We present three cases of communication between the false channel of an ascending aortic dissection and a right cardiac chamber in three patients that had previously been operated on for aortic valve replacement. In two cases there already was a degree of aortic dissection at the moment of surgery. Diagnosis was confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography and/or aortography. Two patients developed severe cardiac failure and underwent surgery, while the other one is surviving with medical treatment.