Painless Dissecting Aneurysm of the Aorta

PAIN, unbearable, agonizing, overwhelming and unremitting, is the rule in dissecting aneurysm of the aorta. It is a devastating, lethal disorder, with a mortality approximating 85 per cent.1 Present familiarity with the disease, better diagnostic methods and improved cardiovascular surgery have resulted in an increased survival rate. Nonetheless, especially in the absence of appropriate pain, the diagnosis is still frequently overlooked.2 It is the purpose of this report to emphasize the value of angiography in the detection of dissecting aneurysm of the aorta, particularly in patients without the characteristic historic and physical findings, and to present such a case, with . . .