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Acute Aortic Dissection

The image clearly demonstrates the intimal layer seperation from the muscular/elastic layer and clotted blood in the false channel.
Surgical Video

Acute Aortic Dissection: General Information

Picture
Acute Type A aortic dissection
An acute aortic dissection is when the inner lining of the aorta separates from the middle, muscular layer creating a false channel that allows blood to travel outside the true channel.  When the intimal tear occurs, the aorta weakens and expands significantly making the aorta vulnerable to free rupture.  

Arteries that originate from the aorta (see anatomy page) may receive blood from either the true, false or both channels.  However, the false channel can compromise the flow of blood in the true channel and cause a lack of blood to a particular organ.  The false channel can pinch off /compress the true lumen resulting in a lack of blood flow through that branch artery.  The false channel can extend throughout the entire length of thoracic and abdominal aorta.     

An acute aortic dissection is defined as the presence of a intimal tear and false channel for the first two weeks after the acute event.  However, after two weeks it ís classified as a chronic aortic dissection. 

Aortic dissections are categorized as either with the Stanford (Type A or B) or Debakey Classifiacation.  Most institutions use the Stanford classification because of it's simplicity.   A type A aortic dissection is when the intimal tear or false channel involves the ascending aorta (proximal aorta).  A type B aortic dissection is defined as the presence of the intimal tear and false channel beyond the subclavian artery 

The first line of treatment is medical therapy which involves blood pressure medications which lower your blood pressure and slows down the heart rate which is called: anti-impulse therapy.  Patients who suffer a Type A aortic dissection require emergency surgery.


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  • Home
  • Basics
    • Glossary
    • Anatomy
    • What is an aortic aneurysm?
    • SURVEY RESULTS
  • Aortic Diseases
    • Acute Aortic Dissections >
      • Type A Aortic Dissection
      • Type B aortic dissection
    • Aortic Aneurysms >
      • Aortic Root Aneurysms >
        • David Procedure
      • Ascending Aortic Aneurysms
      • Aortic Arch Aneurysms
      • Descending and Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms >
        • Spinal cord/paraplegia
        • Descending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms
        • Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms
      • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
  • Disorders
    • Marfan Syndrome
    • Loeys-Dietz Syndrome
    • Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
    • Turner's Syndrome
  • Bicuspid AV
  • Programs
    • Aneurysm Surveillance Program >
      • Sign-up for surveillance program
      • Basics of the Surveillance Program
  • Research
    • Animal Laboratory
    • Clinical Research
    • Basic Science
  • Contact us
  • Glossary
  • Case of the Month
  • Research Survey
  • Aortic Conference
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Health Products