[Ruptured syphilitic ascending aortic aneurysm; report of a case]

Syphilitic cardiovascular disease has become a rarity today. It most commonly affects the ascending aorta and aortic arch. A case is reported of a 50-year-old female with a ruptured syphilitic ascending aortic aneurysm who underwent an emergency operation. The patient was emergently admitted with complaint of severe dyspnea, circulatory shock due to cardiac tamponade was observed in the emergency room. Bentall's procedure was performed. Intraoperative findings showed multi-cystic dilatation of an aortic root. Penetration was existed on right side posterior wall of an aortic root. Postoperative pathological examination of the aneurysmal wall revealed the characteristic finding of syphilitic aortitis. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient has been doing well at period of 3 years after operation.