Unusual cause of acute myocardial infarction after surgery for intramural hematoma of the ascending aorta

Contact address: Lucian M. Predescu, MD, PhD student “Prof. Dr. C.C. Iliescu” Emergency Institute for Cadiovascular Diseases Fundeni Street, no. 258, sector 2, 022328, Bucharest, Romania. Phone: +40727588031 E-mail: [email protected] INTRODUCTION Perioperative myocardial infarction (PMI) is one of the most important predictors of shortand long-term morbidity and mortality associated with cardio-vascular surgery. The etiology of PMI after ascending aorta surgery can be multifactorial. Among other conditions, perioperative coronary spasm is a potentially life-threatening complication of cardiac surgery. Most published cases occurred following coronary artery bypass surgery and aortic surgery, its occurrence after valve replacement is uncommon1.