Aortic arch dissection with an aberrant right subclavian artery: surgical treatment.

Acute dissection of the aortic arch with an aberrant subclavian artery is a rare finding. This report documents the successful treatment of this unusual problem. A 56-year-old man, brought into the emergency room with severe epigastric, chest, and interscapular pain, was treated medically until stabilized. Operation was then recommended and accepted; whereupon, dissection and control of the arch vessels, including the aberrant right subclavian artery, was accomplished. At follow-up, 3 months after discharge, the patient is active, without pain, and his blood pressure is well controlled.