The purpose of this study was to estimate the postoperative growth of untreated segments of the dissected aorta with non-thrombotic communicating false lumen, and also to evaluate the clinical outcome in relation to the aortic enlargement after surgery. Nineteen patients who underwent surgical treatment of aortic dissection were studied with enhanced CT scans and angiograms during the postoperative follow-up period. In Stanford type A patients, mean aortic dilatation rate calculated at the segment showing maximal dilatation was 5.1mm/year during 13-82 months (average, 41 months) after surgery, as a sequela of enlargement of the false lumen. Differences in the aortic dilatation rates between the different segments of the aorta were observed and these were per annum 4.8mm in the ascending aorta, 5.4mm in the transverse aortic arch, 4.3mm in the proximal descending aorta, 2.7mm in the distal descending aorta and 2.4mm in the abdominal aorta. In all patients, major communications were detected at the perianastomotic sites on angiography. In Stanford type B patients, false lumens with small communications were observed to show gradual thrombotic occlusion, but no significant aortic dilatation was detected during the follow-up period (13-70 months, average: 44 months), except three cases of sudden death who had major communications. Nine late events related to dissection, consisting of 4 sudden deaths suspected to be due to aortic rupture, 2 intestinal necroses and 3 cerebral infarctions, occured in 6 patients (32%), among which three patients had undergone arterial fenestration, one of whom had double barrel anastomosis. In the remaining two, major leakages were recognized at distal aortic anastomotic sites on postoperative angiography. The results of this study, we stress the importance of periodic check-ups using enhanced CT scan and if necessary, angiography after surgery of the patients having communicating false lumen. Early detection of progressive aneurysm formation and timely surgical reintervention can yield a good prognosis.

A 64-year-old man was admitted with intermittent high fever of 4 months duration and with three episodes of arterial embolism in the previous 2 months. Several investigations revealed evidence that those episodes involving bilateral popliteal arteries and the left external iliac artery originated from mycotic emboli. Severe mitral insufficiency due to infective endocarditis was also recognized. The ischemic symptoms improved after medical treatment. Despite antibiotic therapy for 4 weeks, inflammatory signs did not subside. Since aneurysm formation of the left external iliac artery at the embolized portion was detected on CT, mitral valve replacement and aneurysmectomy with femoro-femoral grafting were done concomitantly. Inflammatory signs disappeared immediately after the operation. Pathological findings indicated organization of the mitral vegetation and evidence of active infection in the aneurysm wall. Though aneurysmal change of a symptomatic embolized site is not common, the preoperative evaluation of possible associated mycotic aneurysm is important to decide on surgical strategy for infective endocarditis complicated by embolism.