1 INTRODUCTION
Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) remains a life-threatening emergency. Cardiac tamponade1 and mesenteric malperfusion2 are known to increase the operative risk in patients with ATAAD. Central aortic repair involving resection of the primary entry tear can improve the perfusion status by increasing blood flow in the true lumen. However, timely reperfusion is mandatory for organ protection, and the beneficial effects of central aortic repair are limited in patients with dissection extending to the peripheral aortic branch. Although the utility of endovascular stenting to clear arterial blockage has been reported,3 concomitant cardiac tamponade may further complicate the therapeutic process. We report herein successful treatment of a patient with ATAAD presenting with shock caused by cardiac tamponade and mesenteric malperfusion.