Proximal Aortic Dissection with Rupture into the Main Pulmonary Artery—A Case Report

Aim: To present a rare occurrence of aortopulmonary fistula due to rupture of proximal aortic dissection in a 48-year-old woman. Introduction: Aortic dissection is defined as disruption of the medial layer provoked by intramural bleeding, resulting in separation of aortic wall layers and subsequent formation of a true lumen and a false lumen with or without communication. Case Report: A 48-year-old female presented with vague anterior chest discomfort, high blood pressure, systolic-diastolic murmur in the left sternal border with ECG changes of myocardial ischemia. Echocardiography revealed a dilated aortic root with intimal flaps, a leak into the pulmonary artery and regional hypokinesis with contractile dysfunction suggesting a proximal aortic dissection with rupture into the main pulmonary artery. Discussion: The etiology of aortic dissection was mostly hypertension in 80% of cases and aortopathies such as connective tissue disorders, inflammatory and idiopathic. Aortic wall stress is a major trigger of intimal tear and two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography is an excellent, initial diagnostic gold standard to detect the dissecting flaps, especially in proximal aortic dissection. Conclusion: Blood pressure control is the mainstay of treatment and urgent surgery is indicated in proximal aortic dissection since there is higher chance of rupture with an increase in mortality.