Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a chronic vasculitis of large- and medium-sized vessels that can lead to acute aortic adverse events. We describe a 74-year-old female patient who presented with acute-on-chronic aortic dissection. Her pathology was significant for aortitis in the setting of giant cell arteritis. The patient ultimately underwent successful repair of her dissection and was discharged home.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a chronic vasculitis of large- and medium-sized vessels that can lead to acute aortic adverse events. We describe a 74-year-old female patient who presented with acute-on-chronic aortic dissection. Her pathology was significant for aortitis in the setting of giant cell arteritis. The patient ultimately underwent successful repair of her dissection and was discharged home.