Acute changes of left ventricular function during surgical revascularization by 3D speckle tracking.

BACKGROUND: Detecting early impact of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on left ventricular (LV) function is important because such measures may contribute to meaningful improvement in clinical outcomes. We aimed to gain knowledge about acute changes of LV performance during surgical revascularization using three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (3D STE). METHODS: Thirty-five patients scheduled for CABG surgery who underwent intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) were enrolled (mean age 68.9 ± 7.3 years). TEE was performed before and after surgery, as well as before and after grafting. 3D LV ejection fraction (LVEF), tissue motion annular displacement (TMAD) of the mitral valves, 3D global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS), twist, and torsion were quantified. Regional longitudinal strain (LS) was calculated based on coronary perfusion territories in a 16-segment LV model. RESULTS: Despite the absence of change in TMAD and 3D LVEF, 3D GLS (-18.6 ± 4.3% at baseline vs -16.0 ± 4.0% after surgery, P = .01) was significantly decreased, followed with no significant effect on GCS, twist, and torsion during surgery. 3D GLS correlated significantly with 3D LVEF (r between -0.34 and -0.51, P < .05 for all) under the whole operation. Territorial LS did not increase immediately after surgery. CONCLUSION: 3D speckle tracking imaging allows for detailed and direct evaluation of myocardial deformation, though impaired LV longitudinal function is still apparent immediately after surgery. GLS is more sensitive to an acute reduction in LV function than conventional parameters, which can be potentially useful for serial monitoring of functional recovery.

Prevention of Aortic Dissection Suggests a Diameter Shift to a Lower Aortic Size Threshold for Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Multiple studies have quantified the relationship between aortic size and risk of dissection. However, these studies estimated the risk of dissection without accounting for any increase in aortic size from the dissection process itself. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to compare aortic size before and after dissection and to evaluate the change in size consequent to the dissection itself. METHODS: Fifty-five consecutive patients (29 type A; 26 type B) with aortic dissection and incidental imaging studies prior to dissection were identified and compared to a control group of aneurysm patients (n = 205). The average time between measurement at and prior to dissection was 1.7 ± 1.9 years (1.9 ± 2.0 years mean inter-image time in the control group). A multivariate regression model controlling for growth rate, age, and gender was created to estimate the effect of dissection itself on aortic size. RESULTS: The mean aortic sizes at and prior to dissection were 54.2 ± 7.0 and 45.1 ± 5.7 mm for the ascending aorta, and 47.1 ± 13.8 and 39.5 ± 13.1 mm for the descending aorta, respectively. The multivariable analysis revealed a significant impact of the dissection itself (p < 0.001) and estimated an increase in size of 7.65 mm (ascending aorta) and 6.38 mm (descending aorta). Thus, a proportional estimate of 82.8% (ascending aorta) and 80.8% (descending aorta) of dissections are made at a size lower than the guideline-recommended threshold (55 mm). CONCLUSIONS: The aortic diameter increases substantially due to aortic dissection itself and, thus, aortas are being dissected at clinically meaningfully smaller sizes than natural history analyses have previously suggested. These findings have important implications regarding the size at which the risk of dissection is increased.

Cognitive and functional status predictors of delirium and delirium severity after coronary artery bypass graft surgery: an interim analysis of the Neuropsychiatric Outcomes After Heart Surgery study.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive and functional impairment increase risk for post-coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery delirium (PCD), but how much impairment is necessary to increase PCD risk remains unclear. METHODS: The Neuropsychiatric Outcomes After Heart Surgery (NOAHS) study is a prospective, observational cohort study of participants undergoing elective CABG surgery. Pre-operative cognitive and functional status based on Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale and neuropsychological battery are assessed. We defined mild cognitive impairment (MCI) based on either (1) CDR global score 0.5 (CDR-MCI) or (2) performance 1.5 SD below population means on any cognitive domain on neurocognitive battery (MCI-NC). Delirium was assessed daily post-operative day 2 through discharge using the confusion assessment method (CAM) and delirium index (DI). We investigate whether MCI - either definition - predicts delirium or delirium severity. RESULTS: So far we have assessed 102 participants (mean age 65.1 ± 9; male: 75%) for PCD. Twenty six participants (25%) have MCI-CDR; 38 (62% of those completing neurocognitive testing) met MCI-NC criteria. Fourteen participants (14%) developed PCD. After adjusting for age, sex, comorbidity, and education, MCI-CDR, MMSE, and Lawton IADL score predicted PCD on logistic regression (OR: 5.6, 0.6, and 1.5, respectively); MCI-NC did not (OR [95% CI]: 11.8 [0.9, 151.4]). Using similarly adjusted linear regression, MCI-CDR, MCI-NC, CDR sum of boxes, MMSE, and Lawton IADL score predicted delirium severity (adjusted R(2): 0.26, 0.13, 0.21, 0.18, and 0.32, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: MCI predicts post-operative delirium and delirium severity, but MCI definition alters these relationships. Cognitive and functional impairment independently predict post-operative delirium and delirium severity.

Global Perfusion Practice Survey: Readiness of On-Call and Emergency Operation Rooms.

INTRODUCTION: Perfusion safety in cardiac surgery is vital, and this survey explores perfusion practices, perspectives, and challenges related to it. Specifically, it examines the readiness of on-call and emergency operation rooms for perfusion-related procedures during urgent situations. The aim is to identify gaps and enhance perfusion safety protocols, ultimately improving patient care. METHODS: This was a preliminary survey conducted as an initial exploration before committing to a comprehensive study. The sample size was primarily determined based on a one-month time frame. The survey collected data from 236 healthcare professionals, including cardiac surgeons, perfusionists, and anesthetists, using an online platform. Ethical considerations ensured participant anonymity and voluntary participation. The survey comprised multiple-choice and open-ended questions to gather quantitative and qualitative data. RESULTS: The survey found that 53% preferred a dry circuit ready for emergencies, 19.9% preferred primed circuits, and 19.1% chose not to have a ready pump at all. Various reasons influenced these choices, including caseload variations, response times, historical practices, surgeon preferences, and backup perfusionist availability. Infection risk, concerns about error, and team dynamics were additional factors affecting circuit readiness. CONCLUSION: This survey sheds light on current perfusion practices and challenges, emphasizing the importance of standardized protocols in regards to readiness of on-call and emergency operation rooms. It provides valuable insights for advancing perfusion safety and patient care while contributing to the existing literature on the subject.

Do outcomes justify emergence of new cardiac centres.

OBJECTIVE: To assess if quality cardiac surgical results can be delivered in a third world country like Pakistan. METHODS: Our report focused on the initial 2-years experience (June 2005-June 2007) at a new institution Tabba Heart Institute, Karachi. Individual mortality rates of adult cardiovascular surgeries done at our institution were compared with the Society for Thoracic Surgery (STS), European Association of Cardiothoracic Surgery (EACTS) databases and one of the more commonly applied models for predicting post-operative mortality, EuroSCORE. All sets of data were not adjusted for risk. RESULTS: Total of 1017 open heart surgeries were performed. Age range for our series was 15-80 years, 777 were men and 240 females. Of these 891 were isolated CABG, 25AVR, 50 MVR, 27 AVR+MVR, 11 CABG+AVR and 13 CABG+MVR. 12.9% patients had LVEF < 30% and 11.7% had critical left main coronary disease. In all, 15% of our cases were performed on an emergency basis. Observed mortality rates at Tabba Heart Institute (3.94%) were much lower when compared to those documented by STS database (5.45%), EACTS (6.18%) and EuroSCORE (8.7%). CONCLUSION: With post-operative mortality an inverse indicator of quality health care, the results were good, despite several geographical, financial and demographical limitations in reproducing results comparable to international standards. This shows a maximum contribution in providing first grade cardiac support in a developing country like Pakistan.

Dextrocardia with situs inversus totalis: coronary artery bypass grafting.

Dextrocardia with situs inversus is a rare congenital abnormality involving a left-handed mal rotation of the visceral organs. The incidence of coronary artery disease is the same as that in the general population. Performing coronary artery bypass surgery on patients with dextrocardia poses a more challenging task. It is recommended that the right internal mammary artery be the first choice of graft for the anterior descending artery for a "situs inversus" situation. We report 2 cases of patients with Dextrocardia who developed coronary artery disease and underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. Also mentioned is the slight difference in our technique.

Polyvascular Disease in the Gulf Region: Concealed Marker of Poor Outcomes in Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Polyvascular disease (PolyVD) is the presence of atherosclerosis in multiple vascular territories and is associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). Our study aims to draw attention to the prevalence and outcomes of PolyVD in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the Gulf region. Highlighting the disease burden of PolyVD in our population will lead to more vigilant surveillance, better clinical outcomes, and improved quality of life. Data from 685 adults who presented with ACS from January 2015 to June 2020 was reviewed retrospectively. We evaluated lower extremity artery disease (LEAD) and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) using ABI and carotid duplex. Thirty-five percent (n = 238) of patients had PolyVD. 70% patients with LEAD and 65% patients with CVD were asymptomatic. PolyVD was associated with an increased likelihood (aOR,1.69 [1.02-2.81]; P = 0.03) of MACCE at 1-year. Since the progression of atherosclerosis is an insidious process, most patients remain asymptomatic before presenting with fatal vascular events.

Efficacy and Safety of Sugammadex to Shorten Time-to-Extubation Following Cardiac Surgery: A Single-Center Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Residual neuromuscular blockade (NMB) is an important and modifiable factor associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation after cardiac surgery. Studies evaluating the use of sugammadex for residual NMB reversal in the post-cardiac surgery ICU setting are lacking. We conducted a randomized trial to determine the efficacy of sugammadex in reducing time to extubation in patients admitted to the ICU after cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: University-based cardiothoracic ICU. SUBJECTS: Patients (n = 90) undergoing elective aortic valve replacement (AVR) and/or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomized to receive either sugammadex (2 mg/kg) or placebo after arrival to the ICU. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary study endpoint was time from study drug administration to extubation. Of the 90 patients included in the study (45 in each group), a total of 68 patients underwent CABG, 13 AVR, and nine combined AVR and CABG. Baseline characteristics and intraoperative anesthetic medications were comparable between groups. Patients in sugammadex group had reduced time to extubation compared with the placebo group (median [interquartile range (IQR)]-sugammadex group: 126.0 min [84.0-274.0 min] vs placebo: 219.0 min [121.0-323.0 min]; difference in means [95% CI], 72.8 [1.5-144.1 min]; p = 0.01. There were no differences in negative inspiratory force (mean [sd]-sugammadex group: 33.79 cm H2O [8.39 cm H2O] vs placebo: -31.11 cm H2O [7.17 cm H2O]) and vital capacity (median [IQR]-sugammadex group: 1.1 L [0.9-1.3 L] vs placebo: 1.0 L [0.9-1.2 L]). There were no differences between groups in postoperative blood product requirement, dysrhythmias, length of ICU, or hospital stay. There were no serious adverse events in either group. CONCLUSIONS: This randomized trial showed that the administration of sugammadex after cardiac surgery decreased time to extubation by approximately 1 hour. Larger trials may be required to confirm these findings and determine the clinical implications.

Sub total aortic replacement using simultaneous Bentall and elephant trunk procedure.

A 22 year old female with valvular heart disease, moderate mitral valve insufficiency, moderate aortic insufficiency, extensive aneurysmal dilatation of the entire ascending aorta and arch, and segmental dilatation of descending aorta underwent entire anterior aortic replacement. We performed aortic root and valve replacement with a composite graft, followed by coronary artery reimplantation using the Bentall and De Bono technique. Simultaneously, we carried out a graft replacement of the transverse arch and descending aortic aneurysms with a woven Dacron graft using the Elephant Trunk technique. The goal of this surgery was to correct or optimally treat the multiple sites of aortic disease. To the best of our knowledge, there is no reported case from Pakistan with extensive aortic grafting from root to descending aorta using the Bentall and Elephant Trunk technique simultaneously.

Efficacy of valve replacement surgery in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety of valve replacement surgery in rheumatic heart disease patients with severe pulmonary hypertension (SPH); defined as pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP > or = 60 mmHg) on patients operated for valve replacement at Tabba Heart Institute, Karachi. METHOD: From July 2005 to September 2007, total of 112 patients underwent valve replacement (AVR, MVR, AVR+MVR) at our institution. We retrospectively examined the patients with SPH. RESULTS: The male:female ratio was 8:16, age range 18 to 70 years. Data was entered in SPSS version 16. Student t test was used for analyzing the qualitative data and chi-square for the quantitative data. Each case was reviewed on its merit and patient safety maintained by the cardiology and anaesthesia team. Twenty four patients had SPH (range; 60 to 120 mmHg, mean 77.38). Fifteen underwent MVR; AVR one and 7 had AVR+MVR and one MVR + CABG. Three bioprosthetic and 21 mechanical prostheses were implanted. LVEF ranged from 47% to 75 %. Left atrium size ranged from 35 mm to 160mm. Out of 24 patients 10 patients had giant left atria (>6.5 cm). Four patients had dilated RV (range; 17mm to 31 mm). We observed no operative mortality, one patient developed post-operative pulmonary hypertensive crisis and one developed acute renal failure. The incidence of post-op atrial fibrillation was 12.5%. All patients were NYHA class IV pre-operatively and NYHA class I or II post-operatively. There were no neurological or pulmonary complications in our series and none of the patients had re-exploration for bleeding. CONCLUSION: Cardiac surgery can be successfully performed with an acceptable morbidity and very low mortality in patients with long standing valvular disease and SPH.

Access and Outcomes Among Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Patients in a Large Integrated Health System.

Background Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common inherited cardiomyopathy. Current guidelines endorse management in expert centers, but patient socioeconomic status can affect access to specialty care. The effect of socioeconomic status and specialty care access on HCM outcomes has not been examined. Methods and Results We conducted a retrospective cohort study that examined outcomes among HCM patients receiving care in the Yale New Haven Health System between June 2011 and December 2017. Patients were assigned to lower or higher socioeconomic status groups (LSES/HSES) based on medical insurance provider and to receivers of specialty care (SC) at Yale's Inherited Cardiomyopathy clinic or general cardiology care (GC). The primary outcome was all-cause death, and the secondary outcome was all-cause hospitalization. We identified 953 HCM patients; 820 (86%) were HSES and 133 (14%) were LSES. Forty-three (4.5%) patients died from cardiac and noncardiac causes. LSES patients within the general cardiology care cohort had significantly higher all-cause mortality compared with HSES patients (adjusted hazard ratio, [95% CI]=10.06 [4.38-23.09]; P<0.001). This was not noted in the specialty care cohort (adjusted hazard ratio, [95% CI]=2.87 [0.56-14.73]; P=0.21). The moderator effect of specialty care on mortality difference between LSES versus HSES, however, did not reach statistical significance (hazard ratio, 0.29 [0.05-1.77]; P=0.18). Specialist care was associated with increased hospitalization (adjusted hazard ratio, [95% CI]=3.28 [1.11-9.73]; P=0.03 for LSES; 2.19 [1.40-3.40]; P=0.001 for HSES). Conclusions Socioeconomically vulnerable HCM patients had higher mortality when not referred to specialty care. Further study is needed to understand the underlying causes.

Perioperative Risk Profiles and Volume-Outcome Relationships in Proximal Thoracic Aortic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Using the national Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database data for thoracic aortic surgical procedures for aortic aneurysm, this study aimed to (1) characterize patients' risk profiles and outcomes, (2) evaluate center volume-outcome relationships across US centers, and (3) identify risk factors for operative mortality. METHODS: Between 2011 and 2016, 53,559 operations for ascending aortic aneurysm performed across 1,045 centers in the United States were identified. Logistic regression related baseline characteristics and comorbidities to operative mortality. Ten-fold cross-validation was performed to estimate sensitivity and specificity across a range of the discrimination threshold. Centers were stratified into five strata by average annual case volume. Predicted probability of operative mortality was calculated from the model and was used to evaluate patients' risk profiles across the volume strata. RESULTS: Operative mortality occurred in 3.2% of all cases and in 2.2% of elective cases. Only 24 (2.3%) centers performed ≥50 cases annually, whereas 609 (58.3%) centers performed fewer than five cases annually. Multiple logistic regression, of which the c-index was 0.80, revealed that compared with centers with ≥50 cases, centers with fewer than five cases had an increased risk of mortality (odds ratio, 2.50; 95% confidence interval, 2.08 to 3.01; p < 0.0001). The predicted probability of operative mortality was similar across the volume strata, but the observed mortality rate varied significantly, with lower volume yielding higher operative mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Proximal thoracic aortic surgical procedures for aortic aneurysms in the United States are associated with a low operative mortality rate of 2.2% for elective cases. Risk of operative death decreases significantly at an annual center volume of more than 20 to 25 cases per year.

Pattern and predictors of dual antiplatelet use after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND: Resumption of dual antiplatelet therapy after coronary artery bypass grafting in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome is recommended, but the current practice pattern in the United States remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the current pattern of dual antiplatelet therapy use after coronary artery bypass grafting at the Yale-New Haven Hospital. METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective review of patients who presented with acute coronary syndrome and underwent coronary artery bypass grafting between 2014 and 2016. The primary outcome was hospital discharge with dual antiplatelet therapy. Mixed-effect multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate predictors of dual antiplatelet therapy use or nonuse, accounting for surgeon-specific preference. The discriminatory ability of the model was evaluated with receiver operating characteristics analysis. RESULTS: Of 572 patients included, only 29% were discharged with dual antiplatelet therapy. In the mixed-effect multivariate model isolating surgeon preferences, increase in age (odds ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.92-0.98; P < .001) and discharge with anticoagulants (odds ratio, 0.20; 95% confidence interval, 0.07-0.55; P = .002) were associated with lower odds of dual antiplatelet therapy use. Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting compared with on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting was associated with increased odds of dual antiplatelet therapy use (odds ratio, 31.5; 95% confidence interval, 12.8-77.2; P < .001). C-index of the prediction model was 0.74. CONCLUSIONS: The overall rate of dual antiplatelet therapy use in patients with acute coronary syndrome who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting was low and variable among surgeons. The use or nonuse was guided by previously established risk factors of recurrent ischemia and bleeding, along with surgeon preference.

Comparable perioperative outcomes and mid-term survival in prosthetic valve endocarditis and native valve endocarditis.

OBJECTIVES: Cardiac surgery for prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) represents one of the highest risk surgeries with in-hospital mortality of 20%. Given the complex nature of the operation, the operative outcome is likely strongly susceptible to the surgeon's experience and centre case volume, as measurements often are not apparent in large observational studies. We sought to evaluate operative outcomes and mid-term survival of patients with PVE compared with those of native valve endocarditis (NVE) at a tertiary care hospital. METHODS: We conducted a single-institutional retrospective review of 188 consecutive patients (146 NVE and 42 PVE) undergoing cardiac surgery for endocarditis between 2011 and 2016 at a tertiary care hospital in the USA. A logistic regression model was fit to evaluate patient characteristics and perioperative outcomes in PVE and NVE: operative mortality and composite events (death, stroke, prolonged intubation, renal failure and sepsis). The Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate the mid-term survival. The Cox proportional hazard model was fit to assess the adjusted risk associated with mid-term survival. RESULTS: Operative mortality was 4.1% for NVE and 0% for PVE (P = 0.34). Composite events occurred in 30.6% and 38.1% of NVE and PVE, respectively (P = 0.45). Multivariable logistic regression for composite events showed that PVE was not associated with increased risk of adverse events [odds ratio 1.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.6-3.4; P = 0.49]. The Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated no statistically significant difference in survival (P = 0.99). Finally, the Cox proportional hazard analysis for mid-term mortality demonstrated that PVE was not associated with increased risk for hazard of death: hazard ratio 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-1.1; P = 0.085. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery for PVE can yield a low mortality rate with mid-term survival comparable with those of NVE. The diagnosis of PVE alone should not deter surgeons from operating on this complex patient population, provided that surgical expertise and experienced multidisciplinary team equipped to handle complex clinical scenarios are available.

Use of four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate for the mitigation of rivaroxaban-induced bleeding in an emergent coronary artery bypass graft.

We presented the first case of four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4F-PCC) for the alleviation of bleeding for emergent on-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) with the patient discharged by postoperative day (POD) 9 with no sequelae. Until direct antidotes are available, 4F-PCC may play a role in the management of mitigating rivaroxaban-induced bleeding in surgical procedure.

Elective surgery for ascending aortic aneurysm in the elderly: should there be an age cut-off?

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to retrospectively analyse surgical outcomes in patients aged 75-79, and 80 and above. METHODS: Between 2000 and 2015, 108 patients aged 75-79 (G 75 , mean age 76.9 ± 1.5years) and 72 patients aged 80 and above (G 80 , mean age 82.2 ± 2.1years) underwent elective aneurysm repair. Operative outcome and survival was compared with 727 contemporary younger counterparts aged <75 years (G Ctrl , mean age 56.6 ± 11.7years). RESULTS: Postoperatively, patients with advanced age showed a higher incidence of prolonged ventilation (G 80 21.4%, G 75 8.4%, G Ctrl 2.9%; P < 0.001), low cardiac output syndrome (G 80 11.4%, G 75 1.9%, G Ctrl 2.2%; P = 0.001), multi organ failure (G 80 2.9%, G 75 0%, G Ctrl 0.1%; P = 0.022), haemofiltration (G 80 8.6%, G 75 0.9%, G Ctrl 0.6%; P < 0.001), and infection (G 80 10.0%, G 75 6.5%, G Ctrl 3.5%; P = 0.017). Operative mortality was significantly increased in the elderly (G 80 11.1%, G 75 3.7%, G Ctrl 1.4%; P < 0.001). Mid-term survival differed significantly between the surgical groups. Multivariate regression analysis precluded age as an independent predictor of operative mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients showed a higher operative risk compared to their younger counterparts. However, age per se is no suitable indicator of surgical risk and well-selected patients with large threatening aneurysms may benefit from intervention.

Can Transcutaneous CO2 Tension Be Used to Calculate Ventilatory Dead Space? A Pilot Study.

Dead space fraction (V d/V t) measurement performed using volumetric capnography requires arterial blood gas (ABG) sampling to estimate the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2). In recent years, transcutaneous capnography (PtcCO2) has emerged as a noninvasive method of estimating PaCO2. We hypothesized that PtcCO2 can be used as a substitute for PaCO2 in the calculation of V d/V t. In this prospective pilot comparison study, 30 consecutive postcardiac surgery mechanically ventilated patients had V d/V t calculated separately using volumetric capnography by substituting PtcCO2 for PaCO2. The mean V d/V t calculated using PaCO2 and PtcCO2 was 0.48 ± 0.09 and 0.53 ± 0.08, respectively, with a strong positive correlation between the two methods of calculation (Pearson's correlation = 0.87, p < 0.05). Bland-Altman analysis showed a mean difference of -0.05 (95% CI: -0.01 to -0.09) between the two methods. PtcCO2 measurements can provide a noninvasive means to measure V d/V t, thus accessing important physiologic information and prognostic assessment in patients receiving mechanical ventilation.

Symptoms plus family history trump size in thoracic aortic aneurysm.

A 43-year-old woman presented with chest pain of unclear cause. The patient's mother and brother had suffered aortic dissection. Echocardiography had shown mild dilatation of the ascending aorta at 4.0 cm. Echocardiogram and magnetic resonance imaging were negative for dissection. The patient was taken to the operating room on the basis of her painful symptoms and her family history. Unexpectedly, a localized dissection was found in the ascending aorta (see Fig 2), which was too small for imaging detection. Without preemptive surgery, full-fledged dissection would have likely occurred with attendant short and long-term consequences. This case emphasizes that size criteria pertain to asymptomatic patients, and symptomatic patients with aneurysm require resection regardless of size.