[Type A intramural hematoma of aorta: An undervalued clinical entity].

Intramural hematoma of the ascending aorta occurs after rupture of the vasa vasorum. Previously considered as a first step of acute aortic dissection, it was later defined as a separate entity that may or may not lead to arterial dissection. The debate about the most appropriate treatment for a 69-year-old patient with intramural hematoma of the ascending aorta, led to this extensive review of the literature demonstrating that intramural hematoma type A is a life-threatening condition requiring urgent surgical support.