Aortic Dissection

Aortic dissection is a serious condition affecting the large blood vessel called the aorta, which carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. It happens when a tear forms in the inner layer of the aorta, causing blood to flow between the layers of the vessel wall. This can lead to severe chest or back pain and may reduce blood flow to important organs. The condition can cause life-threatening complications like rupture or organ damage. It mainly affects the cardiovascular system and requires urgent medical attention to prevent death.

Aortic dissection is defined as a tear in the intimal layer of the aorta, allowing blood to enter the media and create a false lumen. This process typically results from hypertension, connective tissue disorders such as Marfan syndrome, or trauma. The dissection can propagate proximally or distally, compromising branch vessels and causing ischemia. It is classified by the Stanford system into type A (involving the ascending aorta) and type B (limited to the descending aorta). The condition is a surgical emergency due to the risk of aortic rupture, cardiac tamponade, and organ ischemia. Early recognition and management are critical to reduce mortality.