[Spontaneous rupture of the ascending aorta: a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency. Report of 2 cases].

The authors report two cases of spontaneous rupture of the ascending aorta complicating atheromatous disease but without traumatic or infectious factors. The clinical presentation is very similar to that of dissection of the aorta. The diagnosis is based on non-invasive and invasive investigations showing localised abnormalities of the aortic wall suggestive of localised dissection and haemopericardium. Surgery shows transverse tearing of the aortic wall without dissection of the media. It is a surgical emergency, the deceptive presentation of which should not be missed.