Type A intramural hematoma in a patient with acute coronary syndrome mimicking acute Type A aortic dissection

Intramural hematoma (IMH) of ascending aorta is a rare but potentially lethal form of acute aortic syndrome (AAS). It is characterized by a hematoma within the media layer of the aorta secondary to rupture of the vasa vasorum in the absence of an intimal tear. However, the theory of "micro-tear" which cannot be easily detected has been raised. It may stabilize, regress, or progress to rupture or dissection. Similar to Type A aortic dissection (AD), patients with IMH of ascending aorta, as well as patients with persistent pain, are treated urgent surgery. We report a case of an ascending aorta IMH in a patient admitted to hospital with epigastric and chest pain with ST-elevation myocardial infarction in inferior leads. Coronary angiography (CAG) was performed and contrast injection from the right coronary artery (RCA) ostium showed marked contrast enhancement of the aortic wall. The CAG was terminated with a suspicion of Type A AD. The diagnosis of IMH starting just above RCA ostium with a thickness of 18 mm was made with computed tomographic angiography. An emergent surgical repair of the aorta and one-vessel coronary artery bypass graft surgery was performed successfully in our patient.