Spontaneous rupture of a nonaneurismatic ascending thoracic aorta.

Spontaneous rupture of the ascending thoracic aorta without any history of aneurysm, trauma, infection, dissection, or previous surgery is a very rare and potentially lethal event. We report a case of spontaneous rupture of the ascending aorta treated successfully. While the etiology is still unclear, diagnosis with bedside transesophageal echocardiography prompted emergent surgical intervention.