Surgical treatment of acute dissection of the aorta superimposed on pre-existing aneurysm of the ascending aorta. Total replacement of the ascending aorta with reimplantation of the coronary arteries. A report on five cases.

Five cases of acute dissection of the ascending aorta superimposed on a pre-existing aneurysm, including two with propagation of the dissection into the coronary arteries, were treated by total replacement of the ascending aorta utilizing a valve containing tube graft and reimplantation of the coronary arteries. Diverse techniques such as the use of an intermediate tube for reconnecting the coronary arteries, correction of the coronary dissection by reapproximation of the two layers or with bypass grafting, support of the distal aortic suture line with Teflon felt and fistulization of the periprosthetic space to the right atrium, greatly simplified the treatment of these lesions, permitting survival of four out of five patients, who are in excellent health one, four, and seven years respectively after surgery.