Acute aortic dissection as a complication of coronary artery surgery

Acute dissection of the ascending aorta is a rare, potentially fatal complication of cardiac surgery. During surgery patients with long-standing hypertension and atheromatous arterial disease require careful handling and cannulation of the aorta and aggressive intra-operative and postoperative management of aortic pressure. We present the successful treatment of a patient with acute aortic dissection following elective coronary artery surgery.