Natural history of the false channel of type A aortic dissection following surgical repair: CT study

Postoperative CT scans were reviewed in 33 patients after surgical repair of type A aortic dissection. Initial CT scans showed persistence of a false channel distal to the site of surgical repair in 26 patients (79%). Serial CT scans showed enlargement of the false channel in four patients and progression of thrombus in the false channel in five patients. Calcification developed within the false channel in six patients (19%). Thirteen patients (39%) required reoperation 2 months to 9 years after the initial surgery. In view of the progressive nature of aortic dissection in the postoperative period, periodic serial CT examinations can contribute important information