RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Fate of the native aorta after repair of acute type A dissection: a magnetic resonance imaging study. JF Heart JO Heart FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Cardiovascular Society SP 62 OP 66 DO 10.1136/hrt.75.1.62 VO 75 IS 1 A1 N. R. Moore A1 A. J. Parry A1 B. Trottman-Dickenson A1 R. Pillai A1 S. Westaby YR 1996 UL http://heart.bmj.com/content/75/1/62.abstract AB OBJECTIVE--To determine late patency of the aortic false lumen and propensity for aneurysm formation after repair of type A dissection. DESIGN--Retrospective follow up study. SETTING--Regional cardiac surgical unit. PATIENTS--28 patients after repair of type A dissection. METHODS--Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed between 6 weeks and 12 months after operation. RESULTS--A patent distal false lumen with demonstrable blood flow was found in 22 patients (78%). Only six patients had complete obliteration of the false lumen by thrombus. The conduct of operation did not influence this. Nine patients (32%) showed aneurysmal dilatation of the false lumen and three had a repeat operation. CONCLUSIONS--So-called "successful repair" of aortic dissection does not obliterate the distal false lumen. MRI is a safe and effective radiological procedure for determining patency and dilatation in the false lumen. Patients with type A dissection with blood flow in the false lumen should be studied every 6 months to look for aneurysmal dilatation.