Aortic dissection

Aortic dissection happens when a tear on the the inside of the aorta (on the tunica intima layer) causes the blood to flow between the layers of the wall of the aorta. This forces the layers apart and causes a dissection. In most cases this is linked to or felt with sudden (onset) and severe chest or back pain called acute aortic syndrome. People often describe this as a "tearing" pain.

Also, vomiting, sweating (unrelated to heat or exercise), and lightheadedness (being dizzy) might sometimes happen. Other symptoms may come from decreased blood supply to other organs, like in stroke or mesenteric ischemia. Aortic dissection can quickly lead to death as a result of myocardial ischemia (not enough blood flow to the heart) or rupture of the aorta.

Aortic dissection is more common in those with a history of high blood pressure (hypertension) and in a number of connective tissue diseases that affect blood vessel wall strength, like Marfan syndrome, a bicuspid aortic valve, and previous heart surgery.

Aortic Dissection Media

• Aortic dissection explanation video

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  Histopathological image of dissecting aneurysm of the thoracic aorta in a patient without evidence of Marfan syndrome: The damaged aorta was surgically removed and replaced by artificial vessel, Victoria blue and HE stain.

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  Aortic dissection on CXR: Note is made of a wide aortic knob.

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  Aortic dissection of DeBakey type I

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  Aortic dissection of DeBakey type II

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  Aortic dissection of DeBakey type III

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  Closure of the lumen of a Type B aortic dissection following medical management

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  CT with contrast demonstrating aneurysmal dilation and a dissection of the ascending aorta (type A Stanford)

• Aortic dissection with an intramural hematoma as seen on TEE

• 87 year old male with a history of hypertension called EMS after having leg numbness earlier in the day, then a sudden onset of a headache with radiation to the back of his neck.  The pain resolved right before EMS arrived at his residence. After unloading in the ambulance bay, the patient began to exhibit AMS, then lost pulses.*

• 87 year old male with a history of hypertension called EMS after having leg numbness earlier in the day, then a sudden onset of a headache with radiation to the back of his neck.  The pain resolved right before EMS arrived at his residence. After unloading in the ambulance bay, the patient began to exhibit AMS, then lost pulses.*

• Dissection of both the thoracic and abdominal aorta

• Dissection of both the thoracic and abdominal aorta

Other websites

Media related to Aortic dissection at Wikimedia Commons