Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2009; 57(2): 112-114
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1038846
Short Communications

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Intramural Hematoma of the Aorta: Delayed Pericardial Tamponade

F. Ahmed1 , K. Salhab2 , K. Stergiopoulos3 , F. Seifert2 , D. Baram1
  • 1Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, New York, United States
  • 2Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, New York, United States
  • 3Cardiology, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, New York, United States
Further Information

Publication History

received March 23, 2008

Publication Date:
24 February 2009 (online)

Abstract

Intramural hematoma of the aorta is a fatal disorder that remains poorly characterized. Recently, it has been accepted as a variant form of aortic dissection, where blood accumulates within the aortic media without the presence of an intimal tear. Clinically, it may present somewhat similar to dissection, and although optimal therapy remains controversial, current opinion supports surgery as the preferred method of treatment for intramural hematomas that involve the ascending aorta and aortic arch.

References

  • 1 Blanchard D G, Sawhney N S. Aortic intramural hematoma: current diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations.  Curr Treat Options Cardiovasc Med. 2004;  6 99-104
  • 2 Yamada T, Tada S, Harada J. Aortic dissection without intimal rupture: diagnosis with MR imaging and CT.  Radiology. 1988;  168 347-352
  • 3 Keren A, Kim C B, Hu B S. et al . Accuracy of biplane and multiplane transesophageal echocardiography in diagnosis of typical acute aortic dissection and intramural hematoma.  J Am Coll Cardiol. 1996;  28 627-636
  • 4 Maraj R, Rerkpattanapipat P, Jacobs L E, Makornwattana P, Kotler M N. Meta-analysis of 143 reported cases of aortic intramural hematoma.  Am J Cardiol. 2000;  86 664-668
  • 5 Harrington D K, Fragomeni F, Bonser R S. Cerebral perfusion.  Ann Thorac Surg. 2007;  83 S799-S804

Dr. Fariha Ahmed

Stony Brook University Medical Center
Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, HSC T-17-040

Stony Brook, New York 11794

United States

Email: fnahmed@notes.cc.sunysb.edu