Endovascular treatment of an acute ascending aortic intramural hematoma

Introduction: Herein, we present a case of an elderly gentleman who presented with an extensive intramural hematoma of the aorta which was treated with a percutaneous placement of an endovascular stent.

Presentation of case: A 79-year-old male with a history of hypertension presented to the emergency department because of sudden onset of substernal chest pain radiating to his back. A chest computerized tomography scan was performed that demonstrated a Type A aortic wall intramural hematoma involving the arch and ascending aorta dissecting both antegrade and retrograde from a penetrating ulcer located in the descending aorta, immediately distal to the left subclavian artery. No dissection flap was noted. The patient opted for an endovascular approach. He was treated with the placement of a stent just distal to the left subclavian artery, with good results noted on follow-up exam performed 3 months later.

Discussion: The treatment of a Type A IMH lacks consensus, but the majority do favor surgical management. The data are limited; however, there are reports of patients with Type A intramural hematoma treated with descending aortic endograft at the site of the culprit ulcerated plaque, with satisfactory results.

Conclusion: In a select group of patients, an endovascular approach for the treatment of a Type A aortic wall intramural hematoma caused by an ulcerated plaque may be a viable treatment option.