Dissecting Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Rupturing into Pulmonary Artery - A Rare Case Report

Ramkumar R, Ratish Radhakrishnan, John K Joy

Abstract: Aortic aneurysm is defined as the permanent localized or diffuse dilation of aorta more than 1.5 times the normal caliber. Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) lead to catastrophic complications like dissection and rupture. Dissecting TAA is indeed a life - threatening condition that require prompt intervention. The incidence of TAA rupture is 5 per 100, 000 persons per year with a mortality rate of 97 - 100 %.1 Rupture into the pulmonary artery is an extremely rare complication, with only very few cases reported in literature. The Strongest predictor for rupture of TAA is diameter of the aneurysm. The odds ratio for rupture was increased to 27 - fold when the size of aneurysm exceeded 6cm.2Aorto - pulmonary fistula may be due to Aortic dissection, Marfan disease, trauma, inflammatory aortitis.

Keywords: Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Rupture, Aortopulmonary Fistula