[Aortic intramural hematoma. An atypical pattern equivalent to aortic dissection].

A case is presented of a hypertensive woman who had suffered a stabbing back pain for some three hours, with mild irradiation to precordium and accompanied by vegetative signs. A sinusal rhythm and negative T waves of little depth were seen on the ECG. A transthoracic bidimensional echocardiogram (TTE) showed a normal left ventricle with a somewhat dilated aortic root and the existence of a double echo running parallel to the anterior wall of the aorta but non-ondulating and without a visible intimal flap. Because of suspected aortic dissection an urgent contrasted CAT and a transesophageal echocardiogram were performed. These were informed as an aneurysm of the aortic root with mural thrombus from the ascending to descending aorta, but with no existing intimal flap suggesting dissection. A cardiac catheterization showed a mildly some dilated aortic root without dissection signs and normal left ventricle and coronary arteries. The patient was presented for surgical evaluation but, since no dissection was present, was not considered urgent surgery; she was admitted to the coronary unit and died 48 hours later in a situation of acute pericardial tamponade, documented by TTE, surely due to rupture of the aortic root to pericardial sack. This way of presenting threatened aorta rupture that has been only recently recognized is discussed, as well as some misconceptions which must be avoided.