Double-Barrel Proximal Thoracic Aorta or Horrific Complication of Endocarditis?

A 76-YEAR-OLD man with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and a recent embolic stroke was admitted to the authors’ institution for evaluation of progressive dyspnea. The patient’s past medical history was notable for an aortic valve replacement with a mechanical prosthesis. He did well for approximately 30 years after surgery before he presented to a community hospital with a non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction that was treated with metoprolol and a bare metal stent (first obtuse marginal branch of the left circumflex coronary artery).
Source: Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: Diagnostic DilemmasSection Editor? > Source Type: research