Spontaneous rupture of the ascending aorta

Spontaneous contained rupture of the nonaneurysmal ascending aorta: Diagnostic importance of pericardial effusion

A 58-year-old man with a history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and an obtuse marginal branch coronary stent developed the sudden onset of chest pain. A contrast computed tomography demonstrated a penetrating ulcer of nondilating ascending aorta and a small pericardial effusion. Coronary angiography showed three-vessel disease. At emergency surgery, there was blood in the pericardial sac and the whole of the ascending aorta had hematoma with no evidence of tamponade. We performed a hemiarch replacement under circulatory arrest and concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting. The left side of the proximal arch had ruptured just beyond the pericardial reflection.