Aortic dissection immediately following division of a patient ductus arteriosus

A case of aortic dissection following division of a patent ductus arteriosus in a 20-years-old female is presented. The possibility of an idiopathic dilatation of the aorta or of preexisting medial abnormalities as predisposing factors besides the cross clamping of the aorta or of the ductus is outlined. The dissection was successfully treated transecting the abdominal aorta, contrary to the classical thoracic approach, and repairing the dissection of the distal end of the abdominal aorta interposing a graft between the divided ends.