Improved neurologic function following repair of type I aortic dissection with an intraluminal prosthesis

Repair of type I dissection of the aorta by suturing is often complicated by intraoperative and postoperative bleeding. To avoid these complications, the authors use a sutureless ringed intraluminal prosthesis. They describe the case of a 62-year-old woman who had paralysis of the lower extremities with acute type I dissection of the aorta. Emergency surgical intervention 14 hours after onset of symptoms and repair with the intraluminal graft resulted in minimal aortic insufficiency and almost complete functional recovery. An aggressive surgical approach to patients with profound neurologic deficits due to aortic dissection is justified. Repair with the sutureless intraluminal prosthesis is simple and safe and may allow recovery of neurologic function.