Prognosis in Dissecting Aneurysm of the Aorta

Abstract

Of 26 patients with dissecting aneurysm of the aorta diagnosed at the Henry Ford Hospital from 1950 through 1962, 13 patients lived less than six weeks from the time of initial diagnosis. Of the other 13 patients, 2 had had successful operative repair of the aneurysm during the acute stage. The average survival of the remaining 11 patients was 26 months. Prognosis of this unselected group of patients was better than has been reported previously for this disease. No significant correlation could be found between survival of the patient and the presence of past hypertension, associated recognized cardiovascular disease, or site of intimal rupture.