Valve-sparing aortic root replacement for extremely localized circumferential aortic dissection associated with...

Circumferential dissection is a rare clinical condition of aortic dissection, which is also known as intimo-intimal intussusception. In patients with type A aortic dissection with intimo-intimal intussusception, disruption and prolapse of the intimal flap into the left ventricle may occur and cause severe aortic regurgitation or blockage of the coronary artery ostium. A 43-year-old man presented with sudden dyspnea. Echocardiography revealed severe aortic insufficiency. Acute coronary syndrome was also suspected, but coronary angiography showed normal coronary arteries. After medical treatment, elective surgery was performed. The distal aorta beyond the circumferential dissection was intact, and only the aortic root was dissected. The aortic valve could be preserved, because there was little degeneration of the cusps. Here, we report the case of a patient who underwent successful valve-sparing aortic root replacement for extremely localized aortic dissection with intimo-intimal intussusception.