Type a aortic dissection after aortic wrapping performed 26 years ago: a case report

Aortic wrapping (AW) has been performed as a less invasive alternative to aortoplasty. However, AW can also cause long-term aortic complications. In this report, we present a rare case of a dissecting aortic aneurysm between the proximal side of the wrap and the sinotubular junction after AW.

A female patient had undergone urgent aortic valve replacement with a 19-mm mechanical valve to treat infective endocarditis and AW to treat an enlarged ascending aorta 26 years prior. At the age of 71 years, the patient was diagnosed with a dissecting aortic aneurysm between the proximal side of the wrap and the sinotubular junction. We performed graft replacement of the ascending aorta, including complete resection of the wrap. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 10, and there have been no cardiovascular events during her ongoing follow up.

AW in younger patients can lead to late aortic complications. Careful consideration should be paid when performing AW in young patients, and patients who have previously undergone AW require strict life-long follow-up.