Repetitive aortic dissection in a patient with giant cell arteritis.

Giant cell arteritis is reportedly associated with thoracic aortic aneurysm and acute aortic dissection. We encountered a patient with giant cell arteritis who suffered acute aortic dissection three times within a short period. A pathological specimen of the ascending aorta taken at surgery for type A acute aortic dissection revealed the typical features of giant cell arteritis. Giant cell arteritis patients might be at greater risk of acute aortic dissection than healthy individuals.