The authors report the case of chronic dissection of the aorta presenting w
ith congestive cardiac failure. The diagnosis was made for the first time b
y transoesophageal echocardiography which showed both the dissection of the
aorta and its fistulalisation into the pulmonary artery. Aortography confi
rmed the diagnosis.
The patient underwent surgery which consisted of suture of the fistula and
replacement of the ascending aorta with a prosthetic tube. The outcome was
favourable after 8 months' follow-up.