The authors followed 14 patients who had spontaneous intramural hematoma of the descending aorta. Patients were managed with aggressive control of blood pressure and prolonged bed rest. They were considered for surgical intervention if ischemic complications, dissection or enlargement were evident. Imaging scans (magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and transesophageal echocardiography) were performed during follow up. Survival rate at 1-year follow-up was 86%.
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