Spontaneous rupture of non-aneurysmal ascending aorta

Two autopsy cases with pericardial tamponade and spontaneous rupture of non-aneurysmal ascending aorta are described. In case 1, no apparent predisposing factor was clinically noticed in a 74 year old male patient, but postmortem examination revealed laceration of the ascending aorta associated with aortic valvular deformity and slight dilatation of the ascending aorta. In case 2, a 61 year old man, a mild to moderate grade of aortic regurgitation was noticed clinically 5 months before death. Postmortem examination revealed a slight dilatation of the aortic annulus and post-valvular portion of the ascending aorta. These two cases emphasize the clinical significance of aortic valvular disease with subsequent disordered blood flow, even when asymptomatic, as a potential causative factor for spontaneous rupture of the ascending aorta.