Open stent-graft repair for acute type A aortic dissection with an intimal tear in the descending aorta.

A 47-year-old man with acute retrograde aortic dissection (Stanford type A) was treated with total aortic arch replacement and endoluminal stent-grafting for an intimal tear in the descending aorta. A stent-graft was introduced into the descending aorta via the transected arch aorta and the entry of the dissecting aneurysm was closed. Open endovascular stent-grafting via the arch aorta is an alternative for repair of acute type A aortic dissection with an intimal tear in the descending aorta, in cases where direct closure of the intimal tear is difficult.