Dissecting aneurysm of aorta complicating aortic valvular stenosis.

Six cases of classical dissecting aneurysm of the aorta complicating aortic valvular disease in which aortic stenosis was dominant are described. In three of the cases the aortic complication occurred after the natural aortic valve had been replaced by a prosthetic valve. The longest postoperative period was four months. The factor common to all reported cases in our series was cystic medial necrosis of the aorta. The authors agree with the concept of McKusick and associates that aortic dissecting aneurysm complicating aortic valvular disease is an association other than chance and is related to cystic medial necrosis of the aorta. The latter, in turn, is a consequence of the altered hemodynamics of aortic valvular disease, particularly stenosis.