Association of Aortic Valvular Disease and Cystic Medial Necrosis of the Ascending Aorta

Report of Four Instances

MCKUSICK, VICTOR A. M.D.
LOGUE, R. BRUCE M.D.
BAHNSON, HENRY T. M.D.

From the Departments of Medicine and Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., and the Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Emory University, Ga.

Circulation 16(2):p 188-194, August 1957.

In 4 patients with aortic stenosis and regurgitation, progressive dilatation of the ascending aorta and dissecting aneurysm developed. Cystic medial necrosis was discovered histologically. It is suggested that the change in the aorta is secondary to hemodynamic stresses imposed by the disease at the aortic valve.