“…One of the two deaths in our series of six patients occurred when the dissection went unrecognized until late in the course of bypass while perfusion through the femoral artery was continued. The literature confirms the impoftance of prompt, appropriate treatment of a dissection (Benedict et al, 1974;Bilgutay et al, 1976;Carey et al, 1977;Dongaonkar, 1966;Elliott and Roe, 1965;Gosalbez et al, 1979;Jones et al, 1960;Kay et al, 1966;Lam et al, 1974;Lefrak and Howell, 1972;Matar and Ross, 1967;Pappas and Starzl, 1970;van der Woude and Itocovicci, 1965;Vathayanon et al, 1967;Williams and Johnson, 1964). Eighteen ofa total of 53 patients survived a retrograde aortic dissection.…”