Aorto right atrial fistula: a rare complication of aortic dissection type A. A report of two cases

Background Aortic dissection with rupture into the right atrium is an extremely rare condition and rapidly lethal. The authors report their experience in the treatment of two complicated aortic dissections observed at 85 and 93 months after previous cardiac operations. These were redo mitral valve replacement and saphenous vein coronary artery bypass grafts. Methods. Both cases underwent hospital admission on an emergency basis because of severe chest pain and cardiac failure. One case had a history of hypertension. The aortography revealed aortic dissection and a fistulous communication into the right atrium. At surgery dissection repair and closure of the fistula was performed. Furthermore in one case vein grafts were reimplanted into the vascular graft. Results. Both patients survived the operation without complications, were rapidly extubated and were asymptomatic and fully active at late follow-up. Conclusions. In the light of these results we conclude by affirming that aortic dissection with rupture into the right atrium is an extremely rare condition, rapidly lethal. Patient survival is strictly dependent on the time interval between fistulization of the dissection and the operation.