Right pleural effusion in aortic dissecting aneurysm
Scrofani, R.; Carro, C.; Munari, M.; Antona, C.
Italian Heart Journal. Suppl Official Journal of the Italian Federation of Cardiology 1(6): 808-810
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 1129-4728 PMID: 11204015 Document Number: 522005
Right hemorrhagic pleural effusion may be a presenting sign of thoracic aortic dissecting aneurysm. We describe 2 cases of massive right hemorrhagic pleural effusion and dissection of the descending aorta (type B) detected at tomographic scan. Transesophageal echocardiography ruled out a retrograde dissection of the ascending aorta. Right hemorrhagic pleural effusion is an unusual clinical presentation in thoracic aorta dissection and, up to now, the underling pathophysiology of this sign has not been defined yet.