[Compression of the right pulmonary artery by a dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta. Apropos of a case occurring long after aortic valve replacement].

The authors report the case of a dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta compressing the right pulmonary artery in a 62 year old man, 6 years after aortic valve replacement. The clinical presentation was that of pulmonary embolism. The diagnosis was confirmed by angiopneumography and CT scanning. The ascending aorta was successfully replaced with a Dacron prosthesis. One other case was found in a review of the literature. After discussing the predisposing factors of aortic dissection during cardiac surgery, the authors underline the diagnostic value of CT scanning in cases of suspected aneurysms of the thoracic aorta.