Abstract

Background: Type B aortic can be a life-threatening emergency, with a 10-year survival rate ranging from 30% to 60%. Case Presentation: A 58-year-old man with a history of hypertension presented with intense abdominal pain lasting for 2 hours. Computed tomographic angiography of the thorax and abdomen revealed extensive type B aortic dissection. Despite intensive medical therapy, blood pressure remained uncontrolled, motivating a thoracic endovascular aortic repair, with clinical improvement. Conclusion: History of arterial hypertension and/or the use of drugs followed by severe chest or back pain without evidence of myocardial ischemia is highly suggestive of acute aortic dissection. The goals of treatment are to control pain and maintain organ perfusion. Patients with type B aortic dissection tend to be older and are generally managed medically. However, recent papers have shown an increasing interest to consider thoracic endovascular aortic repair in patients with acute uncomplicated disease in order to prevent later complications.

Key words: Aortic dissection, thoracic endovascular aortic repair, type B dissection, case report.