Thoracic and Abdominal Aorta

A 73-year-old female patient with a history of hypertension treated with two drugs, cholecystectomy, appendectomy, hiatal hernia, and dyslipemia presented at the emergency department with a 2-day history of central chest pain radiating to the shoulder and neck. Pulmonary thromboembolism was suspected but ruled out with lung scintigraphy. Pain ceased spontaneously and the patient’s condition stabilized, so she was scheduled to undergo CT angiography on an outpatient basis. CT angiography showed an aneurysm of the ascending aorta and aortic arch measuring 77 × 67 × 60 mm with a mural thrombus and a penetrating ulcer in the descending aorta (Fig. 7.1.1). The medical-surgical committee decided on hybrid treatment.