Chronic proximal aortic dissection presenting as tamponade after 16 years.

A patient presented with tamponade and haemopericardium 16 years after experiencing sudden severe chest pain associated with enlargement of the proximal aorta. Investigations revealed a proximal aortic dissection (DeBakey type II) with extensive laminar and partially calcified thrombus within its false lumen and a large pericardial effusion, which together resulted in a cardiothoracic ratio of 100%. Long term survival after medical treatment of proximal aortic dissection, with such late progression to tamponade, has not been reported before.